Oct 30, 2024 - Politics

What Rene Gonzalez would do first as Portland's next mayor

Meira Gebel

A photo of a person wearing a gray two-piece suit smiling at the camera in front of a blurred background. — Rene Gonzalez's campaign has focused on rebuilding public safety. Photo: Courtesy of Gonzalez for Portland Mayor

Rene Gonzalez won his seat on the Portland City Council two years ago by advocating for improved public safety and increased law enforcement presence as a way to restore livability in the city. In his bid for mayor, he's leaning on a similar playbook.

State of play: The first-term commissioner's campaign has been divisive — squabbling with other candidates over the city's homelessness response and pushing back against scandals of his own — but he remains a top contender in the race for Portlanders who want to see a law-and-order approach to trash and tents.

Axios asked the five candidates for mayor who've qualified for public matching funds the same question: What's the first policy you'd enact or change in office?

Here's what Gonzalez said.

Top issue: Homelessness and open-air drug use.

What he's saying: "I will direct Portland Police to cease participation in Multnomah County's deflection program if it fails to ensure accountability and instead creates a revolving door — especially at the deflection center in the Buckman neighborhood."

He would also "forego the 72-hour notice for clearing encampments where illegal activity is occurring" and would focus on "expanding access to safe rest villages and prioritizing wraparound services."

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What Rene Gonzalez would do first as Portland's next mayor

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