Unlike the wonky form of government found in Portland City Hall, the county board of commissioners each represent a different region of Multnomah County. District 2 encompasses North and some of Northeast Portland, stretching east from the Willamette River to Northeast 182nd, with its northern boundary the Columbia River and its southern boundary I-84. This district has arguably been the one hit the hardest by Portland’s housing crisis, with many longtime residents having to shutter their businesses and move east to avoid the gentrification that comes with squeezing million-dollar condos into historically African American neighborhoods.
District 2’s current commissioner, Loretta Smith, has reached her term limit on the currently all-female county board, opening the door to a competitive group of candidates. Of the four vying for the seat, we believe Susheela Jayapal brings the most experience and the best, most comprehensive policy plans to help oversee the county’s $2 billion budget.