Keith Wilson poised to be Portland's next mayor as others concede

• "I'm looking forward to fostering working relationships and friendships in the new city council to repair, restore, and revitalize the city we all love," Wilson told Axios in an email statement.

The latest: Wilson's lead held steady at 63% of the vote on Wednesday, according to the Multnomah County Elections Division.

The big picture: The other candidates called Wilson to concede the race, per OPB.

• Wilson jumped out as the lead candidate after preliminary results were released Tuesday night.

What they're saying: In an email to Axios, Rubio said she wished Wilson "the best of luck."

• "I'm glad that we have someone who clearly believes in Portland," she wrote.
• "It is time for all Portlanders to rally behind him as we work to make Portland all that we want it to be," Gonzalez said in a post on Instagram.

State of play: Wilson, the CEO of a green energy trucking company, intentionally positioned himself as a political outsider and was able to capitalize on the foibles of his rivals to emerge as a front-runner in the final weeks before Election Day.

• His ability to beat out the two other leading candidates (who currently sit on the City Council) is a signal that many Portlanders are willing to do away with the old establishment as the city ushers in a new government structure.

By the numbers: In Portland's first-ever ranked-choice election, Wilson received nearly 77,000 first-choice votes, roughly double the next leading candidate, Rubio.

What next: Wilson previously told Axios he plans to "build a coalition of City Council representatives from every district" on his first day in office.

• He will begin his four-year term in January.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with Rubio and Gonzalez conceding the race.