Who's running for Portland City Council: District 4
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A chunk of southeast Portland, which includes Sellwood and the Reed College area, will be voting with the entirety of the west side to select three representatives on the expanded City Council next year.
Why it matters: Only 13 out of 30 candidates running for a seat to represent District 4 have garnered enough individual donations — 250 — to qualify for public matching funds from Portland's Small Donor Elections program.
Yes, but: The city is halting funds to candidates who received donations "from candidates or family members of candidates" after Aug. 7, following the revelation that some were swapping money in order to qualify.
Catch up quick: While the mayor and commissioners elected from District 1 and 2 will serve four-year terms, District 3 and District 4 will only serve two-year terms, so later elections can be staggered.
Here's a brief look at who's running.
Chad Lykins is the founder of an organization that offers after-school and summer programs for kids and a former policy professor at the University of Hong Kong.
- He's endorsed by former Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and several state representatives. Lykins is one of several candidates who agreed, in writing, to donation swapping.
Olivia Clark has worked for several state and city institutions, including in former Gov. John Kitzhaber's office, as a spokesperson for TriMet and as a legislative director for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
- She's endorsed by a handful of labor, transportation and housing organizations, as well as Commissioner Carmen Rubio and Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards.
Stan Penkin is the founding co-chair of an organization that connects rent-burdened Oregonians to spare rooms and accommodations. He is also the former president of the Pearl District Neighborhood Association.
- He's endorsed by Commissioner Dan Ryan and former Portland Mayor Charlie Hales, among others.
Mitch Green is an Army veteran and energy economist. He's also a former professor of Portland Community College and Portland State University.
- He's endorsed by nearly a dozen local labor unions, as well as national organizations like APANO, Voters of Tomorrow and Jane Fonda's political action committee.
Eli Arnold is a member of the Portland Police Bureau, serving on the agency's Central Bike Squad. He's also an Army veteran who served two years in Afghanistan.
- He's endorsed by both the firefighters and police unions, as well as incoming Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez.
Tony Morse is a former attorney and former policy director for Oregon Recovers, which connects those struggling with addiction to resources. He was also a former law clerk with the Multnomah County Circuit Court.
- He's endorsed by a long list of current and former politicians, including state Rep. Rob Nosse and former Rep. Maxine Dexter, as well as nearly two dozen local labor unions.
Moses Ross is president of the Multnomah Neighborhood Association and is a member of the county's budget advisory committee.
- He's endorsed by Commissioner Mingus Mapps and state Sen. James Manning.
- He was issued tax liens of more than $60,000 for unpaid taxes going back decades by the Internal Revenue Service.
Bob Weinstein is the former, four-term mayor of Ketchikan, Alaska, also serving on its city council in 1991. He also has a background in special education, and received a master's degree in school administration from the University of Oregon.
- He's endorsed by dozens of politicians, local business leaders and labor unions. He also participated in the swapping of funds between candidates.
Sarah Silkie is an engineer and union steward, working for the Portland Water Bureau.
- She's been endorsed by the Portland Association of Teachers, a member of the Portland Public Schools board and state Rep. Mark Gamba.
Ben Hufford is an architect who helped design Portland International Airport and PCC's Cascade Campus, as well as part of an ownership group that runs several Portland-area bars and restaurants.
- He's endorsed by Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, United For Portland and several other advocacy groups. He also participated in donation swapping between candidates.
Lisa Freeman works for the city's community safety division, as well as an advisor for a federal agency aimed at ending global poverty.
- She's endorsed by grassroots organizations like the Sierra Club and Sunrise Movement, as well as state Reps. Ricki Ruiz and Thuy Than.
Eric Zimmerman serves as the chief of staff for Brim-Edwards and previously worked as an adviser for Mayor Ted Wheeler. He's an Army veteran and member of the National Guard.
- He is endorsed by Gonzalez, Mapps and Rubio as well as several other local officials. He also participated in mutual donations between candidates.
Chris Henry is a former truck driver and serves as chair of the Oregon Progressive Party. He's run for several state offices several times unsuccessfully.
- He's endorsed by several grassroots organizations.
