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Posted inNews

Controversial Dark Money Group, People For Portland, Dissolves Amid State Elections Investigation

The political organization known for its aggressive billboards says its election law violation had ‘nothing to do’ with decision. Another investigation is still active.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Updated: 9:20 am Sept. 30 A short-lived political advocacy organization that ruffled feathers with downtown billboards targeting elected officials is reportedly calling it quits. As first reported by The Oregonian, People For Portland is shuttering its organization and its associated activities. That announcement comes six months after the state deemed the group violated Oregon election […]

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Auditors Determine Insufficient Evidence that Rene Gonzalez Violated Campaign Finance Laws

Despite “exceedingly close call” Portland Auditor’s Office says commissioner and mayoral candidate’s use of taxpayer money to alter his Wikipedia page isn’t a definitive violation. Secretary of State will investigate other potential violations.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

The Portland City Auditor’s Office announced Monday that it found “insufficient evidence” to support allegations of campaign finance violations from City Commissioner and mayoral candidate Rene Gonzalez. The investigation was launched after the city’s Elections Office (a division of the Auditor’s Office) received two emailed complaints and one formal complaint last month about Gonzalez’s use […]

Posted inCity Council Race 2024

Meet the Portland City Council Candidates: District 1

These candidates are running in the district encompassing East Portland.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Updated: October 21, 2024 Thanks to a charter reform measure passed by voters in 2022, Portland is getting a new form of government, and it will come with a brand new districting system. In November 2024, Portlanders will vote for city council members in one of four districts across the city, with three councilors per […]

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Portland Elections Office Investigating Rene Gonzalez For Using Taxpayer Funds on Wikipedia Edits

Records show Auditor’s Office received three complaints over a $6,400 expenditure by the city commissioner’s office to alter his Wikipedia page in the thick of campaign season.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Portland’s Elections Office is investigating potential campaign finance violations by City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez. The Auditor’s Office, which houses the Elections Office, confirmed the investigation to the Mercury Friday, after receiving three complaints about the commissioner’s expenditure of $6,400 in city funds to edit his Wikipedia page.  Gonzalez, who was elected to Portland City Council […]

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Advocates Say Portland is Overdue For a Tenant Bill of Rights

After the defeat of an eviction defense measure in 2023, organizers aren’t done pushing for renters’ protections
Avatar photo Abe Asher

Over the last 10 months, following the overwhelming defeat of a ballot measure that sought to secure universal eviction representation in Portland in 2023, a group of door knockers from the Portland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) resumed their canvassing efforts. They weren’t organizing around a campaign. Instead, they were simply trying […]

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City Commissioner Receives Frosty Reception at County Democrats Event

Rene Gonzalez’s campaign for Portland mayor highlights rifts among local Democrats. Some say the party’s politics have diversified.
Avatar photo Abe Asher

On a warm early evening at Red Sunset Park in Gresham earlier this month, the Multnomah County Democratic Party gathered for its annual picnic with a number of aspiring political candidates in attendance.  At the beginning of the event, county party chair Salomé Chimuku read out the names of the candidates present. One got a […]

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How Rene Gonzalez Found Common Ground With a Right-Wing Provocateur

Over the span of 24 hours, the Portland commissioner and mayoral candidate managed to anger his most conservative supporters, while inflaming progressives over a recent nod to Andy Ngo.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

For some voters, Rene Gonzalez’s recent nod to a right-wing media personality and provocateur seemed on brand, as his disdain for anti-fascist protesters and police critics sometimes echoes the rhetoric heard on Fox News. To others, the Portland city commissioner and mayoral candidate’s “appreciation” for a divisive figure who’s previously aligned himself with far-right militia […]

Posted inCity Council Race 2024

Here’s Who’s Running for Portland City Council in 2024

As the city gears up for a new government structure and a 12-person council, candidates are in the thick of campaign season for a pivotal November election.
Avatar photoAvatar photo Courtney Vaughn and Taylor Griggs

Come November, Portlanders will be asked to choose among a crowded field of City Council candidates.  The 2024 general election will see Portland elect a new 12-person council—more than doubling the current size of five—with voters using a ranked choice system to select candidates in order of preference. Three people from each of four districts […]

Posted inCity Council Race 2024

Meet the Portland City Council Candidates: District 2

These candidates are running in the district located in North and Northeast Portland.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Updated: July 17 This page will be updated as new candidates file for election. Thanks to a charter reform measure passed by voters in 2022, Portland is getting a new form of government, and it will come with a brand new districting system. In November 2024, Portlanders will vote for city council members in one […]

Posted inNews

How a Super PAC Upended Portland’s 3rd Congressional District Race

Polling shows candidate Susheela Jayapal had an impressive lead in spring, before AIPAC spent big money to help Maxine Dexter defeat her.
Avatar photo Abe Asher

On April 10, less than six weeks before the primary election that would decide who would replace retiring Rep. Earl Blumenauer in Congress, former Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal’s campaign sent out a memo on the state of the race.  In it, the campaign cited internal polling conducted by the Washington, D.C.-based political strategy firm […]

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What the Supreme Court’s Ruling Against Homelessness Means for Portland and Oregon

Portland must still abide by state law—policy which some experts say should be adopted by the entire nation.
Avatar photoAvatar photo Courtney Vaughn and Taylor Griggs

Attorneys and advocates for the unhoused say today’s long-awaited US Supreme Court ruling on an Oregon homelessness case sets a dangerous precedent. The high court ruled 6-3 that cities and other government jurisdictions may punish people for sleeping outside in public spaces, regardless of whether adequate shelter is available. Friday’s ruling gives cities and states […]

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Candidate for Mayor Carmen Rubio Snaps Up Endorsement From Gov. Tina Kotek

Rubio is among a crowded field of mayoral candidates, including two other current city commissioners.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Portland City Commissioner and mayoral candidate Carmen Rubio nabbed an endorsement from Gov. Tina Kotek, Rubio’s campaign announced Wednesday. Kotek’s endorsement of Rubio for mayor comes as campaigns for the Portland City Council race and mayor’s seat are ramping up. To date, Rubio is one of 10 people running to be Portland’s next mayor. She’s […]

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