Portland Commissioner Dan Ryan wants to continue serving on City Council.

After months of silence about his political future— in contrast with his three fellow commissioners, each of whom have begun 2024 mayoral campaigns— Ryan announced today he plans to run for Portland City Council again this year. He will be vying for one of three seats in District 2, which encompasses the majority of the Northeast and North city quadrants. 

Ryan's time on City Council began in August 2020, securing the seat in an off-season election held to fill the seat left vacant after the late Commissioner Nick Fish died earlier that year. During his first term on the council, he was in charge of the Joint Office of Homeless Services, the Bureau of Development Services, the Portland Housing Bureau, and the Portland Children's Levy. 

Ryan primarily focused on homelessness and housing during his first term. He became well-known for his work on Safe Rest Villages— tiny home sites intended to transition people off the streets into long-term housing. The Safe Rest Village program got off to a rocky start, and though reports now indicate the program has had some success helping people find permanent housing, Ryan was criticized for lagging getting shelter sites up and running. 

Despite facing backlash about the Safe Rest Village program, Ryan was re-elected to the council in 2022 with a wide margin. Ryan's bureau assignments were shifted in 2023, putting him in charge of the Office of Community and Civic Life, Office of Equity and Human Rights, and Portland Parks & Recreation. His current bureau assignment is now limited to only Portland Parks & Recreation, as Mayor Ted Wheeler took over the Office of Community and Civic Life, as well as the Equity Office this week. 

The top concerns in Ryan's campaign announcement include housing, public safety, permitting, and neighborhoods and parks. Regarding public safety, the announcement emphasizes his deciding vote against reducing funding for the Portland Police Bureau in 2020. 

"He will continue to advocate the need for police while emphasizing the possibility of changing the culture of the police force," the campaign announcement states. "Ryan also criticizes the failed roll-out of Measure 110 and [proposes] reforming Measure 110 without considering it a war on drugs." 

Ryan is the only current council member running to serve on what will become Portland's post-charter reform, 12-person council, starting in 2025. He said if elected, he could help bring stability to the new council and help acclimate new members.

Last year, Ryan was one of two members of City Council who proposed sweeping changes to the charter reform measure voters passed in 2022. The proposals were met with heavy pushback from the public, and none of the changes came to pass. 

As a North Portland resident, Ryan joins a large pool of candidates in District 2. In his campaign announcement, Ryan emphasized his deep roots in the district, where he has lived most of his life. 

"Commissioner Ryan will build his campaign on the foundation of courage, commitment, and dedication to doing what's right for the people of Portland," the announcement states. "With a track record of tangible results, Commissioner Ryan presents a vision for a vibrant and resilient city that works for everyone."