BREAKING: Woman Takes Step Toward Third Attempt to Recall Sam Adams

A Portland woman this afternoon has taken the first steps toward what would be the third attempt to recall Mayor Sam Adams since he took office—and the second this year, the Mercury has learned.

But the latest attempt does not appear to be serious, or have support from Adams’ opponents. And the city’s elections officer, Ryan Kinsella, tells me only the “cover sheet” for the process was submitted this afternoon. Several more required forms have to be filed with his office, as well as the Secretary of State’s office, before any recall petition can be formally certified.

The petition was filed by Wendy Ann Wright, a former volunteer for Adams and Powell’s employee who also has been a PTA official. She appeared at a recent city council meeting to demand that Adams resign, appearing emotionally distraught as she spoke, choking up as she discussed personal problems involving child custody and losing her post as a PTA officer—and refusing offers of social services help from Adams at the meeting.

Wright, like the other two attempts to recall the mayor, invoked the Beau Breedlove scandal, calling it an ethical breach. She was at city council again today and did not seem well. I haven’t yet asked her whether she’ll try to garner support and gather signatures. The road to a recall is difficult: Previous attempts fell short amid disorganization, funding woes and an inability to gather enough signatures.

(Full disclosure: Wendy and I have mutual friends, and I’d spoken with them after her appearance at last week’s council meeting, out of concern for her well-being.)

The mayor’s office has declined to respond, citing the fact that no formal petition has been certified.

Kinsella said there have been a half-dozen to a dozen inquiries about recalling Adams, but that this is the only over “cover sheet” submitted beyond the ones that led to the two previous recall attempts.