Who is running for Portland City Council: District 2
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There are 22 candidates running in Portland's City Council District 2 race — and in that crowded field, 18 qualified for public matching funds, more than any other district.
Why it matters: District 2 — which encompasses some of the northeastern part of the city and all of North Portland —is home to over 114,000 registered voters who will decide which leaders will represent their interests when it comes to rising homelessness and growing lack of affordable housing.
Catch up quick: The Portland City Council will expand from four commissioners to 12 starting next year — three chosen from each of the city's four quadrants.
Here's a brief look at who's running.
Marnie Glickman is a political strategist who has worked for elected officials like former U.S. Reps. Darlene Hooley and Elizabeth Furse and was previously elected as a school board trustee in San Rafael, California.
- She's endorsed by former Gov. Kate Brown.
Dan Ryan is a Portland City Commissioner known for his work overseeing the Office of Community and Civic Life and the Bureau of Portland Parks & Recreation.
- He's been endorsed by several labor unions and the firefighters' union.
Nat West is the founder of since-shuttered taproom Reverend Nat's Hard Cider and became a bus driver for TriMet where he saw "the danger of our street designs and the importance of helping our homeless neighbors."
Nabil Zaghloul is the director of a bilingual social service organization and previously worked for affordable housing nonprofit Hacienda CDC and the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice.
Tiffani Penson is a people and culture manager with the City of Portland and serves on the boards of Portland Community College and a nonprofit that aims to address racism in education.
Mariah Hudson works as a communications specialist at Oregon Health & Science University, and serves on the budget committees of Portland's Bureau of Transportation and Portland Public Schools.
Elana Pirtle-Guiney is a policy strategist who has worked for former Oregon Govs. Brown and John Kitzhaber. She was also part of the coalition that helped pass gun violence prevention Measure 114 in 2022, which was struck down by a judge earlier this year.
- She is endorsed by the collection of unions that make up the Northwest Oregon Labor Council and Brown.
Jonathan Tasini is an author and longtime union leader. He unsuccessfully ran against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination in New York's 2006 Senate election.
- He is also endorsed by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council.
Mike Marshall is the founder of Oregon Recovers, an organization that connects Oregonians struggling with addiction to treatment, and was the campaign manager for Kitzhaber.
James Armstrong is the co-founder of several Portland-area eye care businesses and serves as the president of Alberta Main Street, which aims to revitalize small businesses along Alberta Street.
Debbie Kitchin is the co-owner of a general contractor company and serves as the chair emeritus on the board of the Portland Metro Chamber.
Bob Simril is a former business executive who has worked for Coca-Cola, Microsoft and various tech firms.
- He's been endorsed by the city's firefighters' union.
Michelle DePass works for the City of Portland as a climate change analyst and serves on the board of Portland Public Schools, and was the first person of color to be chair.
- She's endorsed by Brown.
Sameer Kanal works as a public safety specialist and policy consultant for the City of Portland, where he focuses on coordination for Portland Street Response.
- He's been endorsed by the Portland chapter of the Sunrise Movement and former commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty.
Christopher Olson is a community organizer and works as a communications consultant for a nonprofit organization.
Laura Streib is a musician and the executive director of an arts and music education nonprofit. She was the former stage manager for the Portland Chamber Orchestra and serves as board secretary for the St. Johns Boosters Business Association.
Jennifer Park is the program director for a nonprofit that provides educational support for children with learning challenges while also pursuing a master's degree from Portland State University in public administration.
- She's been endorsed by Street Trust and Progress Portland, among others.
Will Mespelt is the owner of a property management company and said his job has connected him with Portlanders who expect City Hall to provide clean, safe neighborhoods and affordable housing.