Portland

A picture of the Portland skyline with the letters PDX

blue

Axios Portland Partners

Portland Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Portland with Kale Williams and Meira Gebel.

Axios Portland

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Portland.

Axios Portland Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Portland Members

Membership

Portland Dining Month delivers big restaurant deals

Score three- or five-course meals at top spots for a fraction of the usual cost.

Food and Drink

That <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="29962f4d-b39a-4b22-985d-b9149be0d3c3" data-vars-headline="Portland Dining Month delivers big restaurant deals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/food-and-drink" target="_self">new restaurant</a> you&#x27;ve been meaning to try? March may be the time to finally book a reservation.The big picture: More than 100 of the city&#x27;s top dining establishments are participating in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Portland Dining Month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pdxdiningmonth.com/" data-vars-content-id="29962f4d-b39a-4b22-985d-b9149be0d3c3" data-vars-headline="Portland Dining Month delivers big restaurant deals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pdxdiningmonth.com/" target="_blank">Portland Dining Month</a>, where exclusive, limited-time prix-fixe meals — with either three or five courses — will be a fraction of the cost.

Oregon paid an estimated $670M in Trump's rejected tariffs

If or when that money is ever returned remains an open question.

News

Roughly $670 million is now potentially up for grabs in Oregon after the Supreme Court <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struck down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" data-vars-content-id="d4e96304-57e9-4bc4-820c-1d871c38c9a6" data-vars-headline="Oregon paid an estimated $670M in Trump&#x27;s rejected tariffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" target="_self">struck down</a> a swath of President Trump&#x27;s tariffs on Friday, according to the Trade Partnership Worldwide economic research firm.Why it matters: Those tariffs, reversed in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a case led by" data-vars-click-url="https://www.doj.state.or.us/oregon-department-of-justice/federal-oversight/federal-litigation-tracker/tariffs-oregon-v-trump-u-s-court-of-international-trade-125-cv-00077/&#x27;" data-vars-content-id="d4e96304-57e9-4bc4-820c-1d871c38c9a6" data-vars-headline="Oregon paid an estimated $670M in Trump&#x27;s rejected tariffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.doj.state.or.us/oregon-department-of-justice/federal-oversight/federal-litigation-tracker/tariffs-oregon-v-trump-u-s-court-of-international-trade-125-cv-00077/&#x27;" target="_blank">a case led by</a> Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, likely made <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="all kinds of stuff more expensive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/03/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-china-cost" data-vars-content-id="d4e96304-57e9-4bc4-820c-1d871c38c9a6" data-vars-headline="Oregon paid an estimated $670M in Trump&#x27;s rejected tariffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/03/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-china-cost" target="_self">all kinds of stuff more expensive</a> as businesses passed higher costs onto everyday Americans.

Portland homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high

59% of homebuyers last year paid less than the original asking price, per Redfin.

Real Estate

The average discount for Portland <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/08/portland-home-values-drop" data-vars-content-id="1c354fad-c3b0-4b7e-9579-5c8cf7eb838a" data-vars-headline="Portland homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/08/portland-home-values-drop" target="_self">homes</a> that sold below their original asking price last year was 6.6% — the largest such gap since 2012, according to a Redfin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" data-vars-content-id="1c354fad-c3b0-4b7e-9579-5c8cf7eb838a" data-vars-headline="Portland homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" target="_blank">report</a>.Why it matters: Still-high mortgage rates and home prices have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sidelined" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="1c354fad-c3b0-4b7e-9579-5c8cf7eb838a" data-vars-headline="Portland homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" target="_self">sidelined</a> many shoppers. But those who remain in the market are scoring the biggest deals in years.

How Dawson Park's origins contrast with its legacy

The Albina park became a cornerstone of Black Portland and civil rights activism.

Dawson Park has long been considered <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a cultural landmark" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/02/27/historical-black-landmarks-portland" data-vars-content-id="5083da48-740d-4e64-8e0d-b7ba287e52f8" data-vars-headline="How Dawson Park&#x27;s origins contrast with its legacy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/02/27/historical-black-landmarks-portland" target="_self">a cultural landmark</a> for Black Portland — where civil rights rallies originated and prominent historical figures visited — but it was originally developed in the early 20th century to keep children segregated.The big picture: The park&#x27;s evolution reflects the Albina neighborhood&#x27;s transformation: Shaped by racial tension and molded by redlining and displacement, it became a symbolic home base for Black life in the city.

What to know about Portland's May special election

Portland Public Schools District is asking voters to renew a bond for school upgrades.

All of Oregon&#x27;s 36 counties have a special election next week, and Portland voters will weigh in on four school board seats and whether to renew a bond essential to renovating older schools <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vulnerable to earthquakes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/05/schools-earthquake-safety-upgrade-bond" data-vars-content-id="5b69657d-c0c0-426d-93a9-5e3777f4f226" data-vars-headline="What to know about Portland&#x27;s May special election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/05/schools-earthquake-safety-upgrade-bond" target="_self">vulnerable to earthquakes</a>.Why it matters: If renewed, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the bond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pps.net/2025Bond" data-vars-content-id="5b69657d-c0c0-426d-93a9-5e3777f4f226" data-vars-headline="What to know about Portland&#x27;s May special election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pps.net/2025Bond" target="_blank">the bond</a> is expected to raise $1.8 million to be used in large part for modernization projects at three high schools — Ida B. Wells, Cleveland and Jefferson — without increasing the current tax rate.

New polling shows most Portlanders prefer ranked choice

But it also found many voters were overwhelmed by the number of candidates on their ballots.

A new poll shows most voters in Portland preferred ranked-choice voting to the city&#x27;s previous election method.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Previous polling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/12/10/ranked-choice-voting-election-voter-engagement" data-vars-content-id="9ad1dda1-c559-4081-9b3a-e2c328c0eb5d" data-vars-headline="New polling shows most Portlanders prefer ranked choice" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/12/10/ranked-choice-voting-election-voter-engagement" target="_self">Previous polling</a> showed the new system was widely understood by most voters, but this survey is the first to gauge the electorate&#x27;s preference as voters made decisions on who would take power under the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new form of government" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/19/government-structure-council-members-districts" data-vars-content-id="9ad1dda1-c559-4081-9b3a-e2c328c0eb5d" data-vars-headline="New polling shows most Portlanders prefer ranked choice" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/19/government-structure-council-members-districts" target="_self">new form of government</a>.

Janelle Bynum wins Oregon's 5th Congressional District

Bynum's win in Oregon's 5th Congressional District flips the district blue.

Election

Democratic state lawmaker Janelle Bynum beat Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to represent Oregon&#x27;s 5th Congressional District, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/" data-vars-content-id="078ec9ad-a3b3-4b8f-9473-c3902fa054f2" data-vars-headline="Janelle Bynum wins Oregon&#x27;s 5th Congressional District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>.Why it matters: Bynum&#x27;s win flips the swing district back to blue and adds another Democratic seat to the U.S. House of Representatives.<ul><li>She will also be the first Black Congresswoman to represent Oregon in Washington, D.C., according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oregon Public Broadcasting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opb.org/article/2024/11/08/oregon-janelle-bynum-u-s-house-5th-congressional-district-congress-election-democrats-reupublicans-lori-chavez-deremer/" data-vars-content-id="078ec9ad-a3b3-4b8f-9473-c3902fa054f2" data-vars-headline="Janelle Bynum wins Oregon&#x27;s 5th Congressional District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opb.org/article/2024/11/08/oregon-janelle-bynum-u-s-house-5th-congressional-district-congress-election-democrats-reupublicans-lori-chavez-deremer/" target="_blank">Oregon Public Broadcasting</a>. </li></ul>

Some voters opt out of Portland's first ranked-choice election

Symptoms of a flawed system or just growing pains? Time will tell.

It&#x27;s been more than a week since Portland voters took part in the city&#x27;s first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ranked-choice election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/07/how-ranked-choice-voting-works-what-to-know" data-vars-content-id="edddb050-275a-4210-a77f-09df52489db3" data-vars-headline="Some voters opt out of Portland&#x27;s first ranked-choice election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/07/how-ranked-choice-voting-works-what-to-know" target="_self">ranked-choice election</a>, and the results — at least in terms of voter participation — leave a lot to be desired.Why it matters: An analysis by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Oregonian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2024/11/portlands-ranked-choice-debut-causes-voter-engagement-to-crater-1-in-5-who-cast-ballots-chose-no-one-for-city-council.html" data-vars-content-id="edddb050-275a-4210-a77f-09df52489db3" data-vars-headline="Some voters opt out of Portland&#x27;s first ranked-choice election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2024/11/portlands-ranked-choice-debut-causes-voter-engagement-to-crater-1-in-5-who-cast-ballots-chose-no-one-for-city-council.html" target="_blank">The Oregonian</a> found that many voters — up to nearly 30% in some districts — declined to enter a vote in ranked-choice races, even while filling out the rest of their ballot.

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

Carmen Rubio and Rene Gonzalez both dropped out of the race Wednesday.

Carmen Rubio and Rene Gonzalez both <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="conceded" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opb.org/article/2024/11/06/portland-mayor-keith-wilson-ranked-choice-voting-politics-carmen-rubio-rene-gonzalez/" data-vars-content-id="088d3078-1662-4735-ba5e-294c470ce443" data-vars-headline="Keith Wilson poised to be Portland&#x27;s next mayor as others concede" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opb.org/article/2024/11/06/portland-mayor-keith-wilson-ranked-choice-voting-politics-carmen-rubio-rene-gonzalez/" target="_blank">conceded</a> Portland&#x27;s mayoral race to Keith Wilson Wednesday night.Why it matters: Wilson&#x27;s single-issue platform — ending unsheltered homelessness — resonated with voters in a city that has long struggled to address the problem.

Where races stand in Oregon's general election

Ballots will continue to be counted throughout the week.

Politics

Ballots are still being counted in Oregon&#x27;s general election, but several key races have already been called by the Associated Press.Catch up quick: Former Democratic Oregon state Rep. Maxine Dexter won Oregon&#x27;s 3rd Congressional District race against Republican Joanna Harbour, AP reports.

Where Oregon's ballot measures stand

The most controversial initiative, Measure 118, is losing support in early returns.

Oregon voters are rejecting a measure in early returns that would give every resident a $1,600 annual rebate through an increase in the corporate sales tax, according to the Oregon secretary of state&#x27;s office.Why it matters: The controversial measure received fierce pushback from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lawmakers" data-vars-click-url="https://noonmeasure118.com/coalition/" data-vars-content-id="97885efd-d049-4af5-b147-8ea5276e2ffb" data-vars-headline="Where Oregon&#x27;s ballot measures stand" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://noonmeasure118.com/coalition/" target="_blank">lawmakers</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local businesses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2024/09/hundreds-of-companies-kick-in-93m-to-oppose-measure-that-would-tax-corporations-to-pay-oregonians-1600-a-year.html" data-vars-content-id="97885efd-d049-4af5-b147-8ea5276e2ffb" data-vars-headline="Where Oregon&#x27;s ballot measures stand" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2024/09/hundreds-of-companies-kick-in-93m-to-oppose-measure-that-would-tax-corporations-to-pay-oregonians-1600-a-year.html" target="_blank">local businesses</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="labor unions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wweek.com/news/2024/08/13/legislative-leader-and-a-key-labor-union-oppose-measure-118/" data-vars-content-id="97885efd-d049-4af5-b147-8ea5276e2ffb" data-vars-headline="Where Oregon&#x27;s ballot measures stand" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wweek.com/news/2024/08/13/legislative-leader-and-a-key-labor-union-oppose-measure-118/" target="_blank">labor unions</a> alike.

Harris defeats Trump for Oregon's eight electoral votes

The victory was expected for solidly blue Oregon.

Vice President Harris prevailed over former President Trump to win Oregon&#x27;s eight electoral votes, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lost the presidency" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/05/election-map-2024-presidential-results-harris-trump" data-vars-content-id="0a509775-35d7-4571-b613-0db5bd4d9bec" data-vars-headline="Harris defeats Trump for Oregon&#x27;s eight electoral votes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/05/election-map-2024-presidential-results-harris-trump" target="_self">lost the presidency</a> overall, the Associated Press reported early Wednesday.<ul><li>Follow along with Axios&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="live updates" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/37363685.77520/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL3Zpc3VhbHMvZWxlY3Rpb24tcmVzdWx0cy0yMDI0LWxpdmUtdXBkYXRlcy1tYXA_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9jaGFybG90dGUmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/5ffda0f35cd45c6dd6f30484B071ee49e" data-vars-content-id="0a509775-35d7-4571-b613-0db5bd4d9bec" data-vars-headline="Harris defeats Trump for Oregon&#x27;s eight electoral votes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/37363685.77520/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL3Zpc3VhbHMvZWxlY3Rpb24tcmVzdWx0cy0yMDI0LWxpdmUtdXBkYXRlcy1tYXA_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9jaGFybG90dGUmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/5ffda0f35cd45c6dd6f30484B071ee49e" target="_self">live updates</a>.</li></ul>Why it matters: Harris&#x27; win was expected and solidifies Oregon&#x27;s blue reputation.

Oregon U.S. House races: 3rd Congressional District live results

Maxine Dexter beat Republican challenger Joanna Harbour.

Former Democratic state lawmaker Maxine Dexter beat Republican challenger Joanna Harbour to represent Oregon&#x27;s 3rd Congressional District, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/" data-vars-content-id="8efbb3f6-145e-458f-a74a-4975f1c4f68e" data-vars-headline="Oregon U.S. House races: 3rd Congressional District live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/" target="_blank">Associated Press</a> reports.Why it matters: The 3rd District is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="solidly liberal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/22/what-we-know-after-the-primary" data-vars-content-id="8efbb3f6-145e-458f-a74a-4975f1c4f68e" data-vars-headline="Oregon U.S. House races: 3rd Congressional District live results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/22/what-we-know-after-the-primary" target="_self">solidly liberal</a>, representing nearly 700,000 voters in Multnomah, Clackamas and Hood River counties.

Keith Wilson has early lead in Portland mayor race

However, in the city's first-ever ranked-choice election, it could take days to determine a winner.

Keith Wilson has a sizable early lead in Portland&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mayoral race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/09/09/portland-mayor-candidates-2024" data-vars-content-id="ca8975ca-dd3d-4f62-8c3b-660731a305fb" data-vars-headline="Keith Wilson has early lead in Portland mayor race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/09/09/portland-mayor-candidates-2024" target="_self">mayoral race</a>, though in the city&#x27;s first-ever <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ranked-choice election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/07/how-ranked-choice-voting-works-what-to-know" data-vars-content-id="ca8975ca-dd3d-4f62-8c3b-660731a305fb" data-vars-headline="Keith Wilson has early lead in Portland mayor race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/07/how-ranked-choice-voting-works-what-to-know" target="_self">ranked-choice election</a>, it could take days to determine a winner.Why it matters: Whoever wins will usher the city into a new era and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new form of government" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/19/government-structure-council-members-districts" data-vars-content-id="ca8975ca-dd3d-4f62-8c3b-660731a305fb" data-vars-headline="Keith Wilson has early lead in Portland mayor race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/19/government-structure-council-members-districts" target="_self">new form of government</a>.

Election 🗳️

What to know about Portland's May special election

New polling shows most Portlanders prefer ranked choice

Election results certified

Janelle Bynum wins Oregon's 5th Congressional District

Some voters opt out of Portland's first ranked-choice election