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metro

The crowded race for Metro District 5, which represents North and Northeast Portland, has officially narrowed to two candidates for a November runoff: Former state legislator Mary Nolan and transportation advocate Chris Smith.

For Metro races, a general election runoff occurs when no candidate gains at least 50 percent of the vote in the primary.

It was clear in early results Tuesday evening that Nolan would advance to a runoff, and she's held steady since then with 35 percent of the vote. Smith has 22 percent of the vote, while activist and Q Center Director Cameron Whitten comes in a close third with 19 percent.

"I look forward to engaging Mary Nolan in the runoff and believe we'll be able to draw distinctions between our policies and qualifications, particularly around making hard choices to effectively address climate change," Smith said in a press release sent Wednesday. "Metro needs leadership that doesn't compromise on our obligation to act on climate when considering investments in transportation and our future."

Nolan, speaking with the Mercury Tuesday evening, said she was "honored and refreshed" to see that Portlanders voted for her, and that the results show "experience matters."

Whitten conceded early Wednesday afternoon in a Facebook live video.

"It's discouraging news," Whitten said is the video. "[But] this has been a transformative experience, and it's just the beginning... Don't be sad for me. I'm not sad."

District 5 candidates Karen Spencer and Mary Peveto also will not advance to the runoff.