Who is running for Portland mayor: Get to know the candidates
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With the deadline for candidates to file their intent to run behind us, 19 Portland mayoral hopefuls have staked a claim on the November ballot.
Why it matters: With Mayor Ted Wheeler not running for re-election, Portlanders have the task of electing someone new to usher in the city's new form of government.
- Though the role will look different — the next mayor will be mostly administrative, overseeing day-to-day operations and breaking ties on the City Council — the person elected will still be Portland's most public-facing voice.
Between the lines: This will be Portland's first ranked-choice election for citywide office races. Voters can opt to rank up to six candidates by preference.
The intrigue: Only five mayoral candidates qualified for public matching funds from the small-donor elections program, meaning they've received donations from at least 750 Portland residents.
Here's a brief look at who's running:
Carmen Rubio is a Portland city commissioner who supports simplifying Portland's zoning and permitting process to build more affordable housing as well as using tax dollars for climate-related projects.
Rene Gonzalez is a Portland city commissioner who previously said "a centrist can win" and intends to take a tough stance on public drug use, homelessness and crime if elected.
Keith Wilson is the president of a regional transportation company and founder of nonprofit Shelter Portland, which has a network of homeless shelters and offers free court programs for those facing warrants and fines.
Mingus Mapps is a Portland city commissioner and former political science professor who said his priority as mayor would be to sustain Portland Street Response indefinitely and expand behavioral health services.
Liv Osthus is a stripper and advocate of the arts, running on a platform of reviving small businesses and addressing the addiction crisis as a way to bring people back downtown.
Durrell Kinsey Bey is a youth coordinator at David Douglas School District and lists public safety, socio-economic infrastructure and family-based public health as priorities.
Josh Leake is the president of Plum Tree Mortgage and a disability advocate whose platform focuses on public safety by enhancing police response times and economic growth.
Michael O'Callaghan is an advocate for cyclists and people experiencing homelessness who has also worked to eliminate food waste and reduce food insecurity.
The bottom line: Eleven candidates do not have a campaign website or other information available.