[READ ALL OF THE MERCURY’S 2020 ENDORSEMENTS HERE!—eds]
Portland Mayor: Sarah Iannarone
In this November’s mayoral contest, Portlanders are given an option: More of the same, or something new. We suggest the latter.
Sarah Iannarone, an urban policy consultant, is certainly new. If elected, Iannarone would be the first woman in the mayor’s office since 2005. She also would be the first mayor to proudly label herself an “antifascist,” a designation that’s been weaponized by both Mayor Ted Wheeler and far-right Twitter. Yes, Iannarone has no experience holding an elected office. But we believe her past experience as a small business owner (RIP Arleta Cafe), community organizer, urban policy expert, and educator more accurately reflects the Portland she’s hoping to represent than a descendant of a timber magnate who has been in some form of elected office for the past 13 years. We’re confident Iannarone will take the position—and its unglamorous administrative responsibilities—just as seriously as Wheeler.
Some argue that a leadership change in the midst of such already unstable times isn’t practical. We think it’s worth the risk. Here’s why: