In chronicling the emerging field of mayoral candidates on next year’s ballot, we’ve apparently made something of an oversight. Charlie Hales, the former city commissioner, technically isn’t the first declared contender, announcing just a few days ahead of New Seasons co-founder Eileen Brady.
No, that honor goes to a young man who was born not long before the current mayor, Sam Adams, began making a name for himself as the brash, go-getting chief of staff for former Mayor Vera Katz.
Meet Max Brumm, age 19.
Is he serious? Hey, he’s already opened a campaign account with the state (reporting $105 in contributions). He’s got a website and a Facebook page. And he’s having a press conference Monday to get somebody/anybody to give him his due.
Brumm bills himself as a fifth-generation Oregonian and says he’s a child of politics. He says he’s volunteered for Amanda Fritz’s 2008 opponent, Charles Lewis, but also for the guy he hopes to unseat, Adams. Brumm is also apparently pretty burned up over quiet plans to remake Memorial Coliseum and the future of the Sellwood Bridge. He promises to bring a fresh perspective to the issues facing Portland, etc.
Sure, he’s a longshot. But I won’t even point out that his press conference announcement letter gets his own campaign slogan wrong. (Oh, wait. I just did.) Eh, let’s hope he shakes it off and sticks with it. Democracy and all that claptrap, right?
Hit the jump for even more:
@ Denis, you’re going to the press conference, right?
@CC: I’m thinking about it.
This is the definition of quixotic. But I also actually, genuinely think it’s kind of cool.
Will fit in perfectly with Portland, the perpetual adolescent who’s never worked for a living.
If he’s wearing that leather USA! jacket unironically, then he’s got my vote.
ABS
He’s kinda adorable.
As Max’s uncle, and someone who is not associated with the campaign in any way, I feel compelled to gently point out that you’ve spelled his name wrong in the caption.
no self respecting 5th generation oregonian needs a golf umbrella to walk down the street.
What’s that line about glass houses? Caption fixed.
I never thought my former classmate (a year younger than me I might add) would run for mayor. Because of this guy I am going to be a bit more observant of the politics and issues of our city. 🙂 Good job Max! I’m rootin’ fo ya!
He wouldn’t be the youngest guy to ever run for mayor of Portland. Jake Oken-Berg (who I now believe is some kind of new agey piano dude) ran for mayor when he was eighteen, and (I think) actually got an endorsement of sorts from Bud Clark.
I’m a 7th-generation Oregonian, so I should run for Grand Duke of Hosford-Abernethy.
“…born not long before the current mayor, Sam Adams, began making a name for himself…”
So he could *be* Sam’s son. Raised in secret on a moisture farm out past Prineville.
Real talk is that anyone should be trying to unseat Fritz who is possibly the most ineffective commissioner in decades. How about that for a story Denis? What is Fritz like to work with considering she opposes everything and can’t get a consensus for anything yet she was elected with public money. Call it What has Fritz done for us lately other than complain?