How mayoral hopeful Carmen Rubio spends her best day

Meira Gebel

Photo illustration of Carmen Rubio surrounded by abstract shapes and the Portland, Oregon sign. — Photo illustration: Axios Visuals; Photo: Courtesy of Carmen for Portland

Since she was elected to the City Council in 2020, Portland Commissioner Carmen Rubio has spearheaded efforts on affordable housing and climate projects in the city.

The latest: Now, in her bid for mayor, Rubio is leaning on her "no-drama" approach to consensus building among her colleagues in City Hall to push progressive policy forward and appeal to voters.

Yes, but: Recent reports regarding her history of racking up over 150 traffic and parking violations over 10 years have dogged her campaign and cost her the support of labor unions and transportation advocacy groups.

We wanted to know: What does her best day ever in Portland look like?

🍳 Breakfast starts with Cafe Vita coffee and cooking in the kitchen with her parents.

They'd make "huevos con chorizo, potatoes and flour tortillas made by hand, with Mexican pan dulce, and fresh raspberries, peaches and orange honeydew from Zupan's Markets."

🐕 Then, she'd take her chihuahuas on a walk around the Rose City Park neighborhood to the golf course. Afterward, a trip to Powell's to browse books and a picnic at Hoyt Arboretum.

🧖🏼‍♀️ An afternoon facial with her bestie at Event Cosmetics is a must, followed by shopping and vintage browsing at Union Rose, Folly and Psychic Sister for a tarot card reading.

🍸 Her happy hour order is a gin martini with a twist from either Hi-Top Tavern or Clyde's Prime Rib.

🇲🇽 For dinner, Republica's 10-course tasting menu, with the wine pairings. She'd pick up a frozen fruit soft-serve cone from Nico's Ice Cream on the walk back home.

🎮 To round out her perfect day, Rubio would carve out "one precious, uninterrupted hour to play Baldur's Gate 3 on my PS5."

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How mayoral hopeful Carmen Rubio spends her best day

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