The Portland Mayor’s Race: Who’s Out, Who’s In, and Who’s Thinking About It?

• Ryan Alexander-Tanner

THE HOURS SINCE Mayor Charlie Hales announced he’s out after this term have begotten a breathless race to figure out who—if anyone—will throw their hat in against state Treasurer Ted Wheeler for the top spot in city government.

There’s a lot of talk about whether Hales even left time for a credible candidate to so do. After all, the primary’s a mere seven months away. And Wheeler’s made short work of putting together support in just seven weeks of campaigning. Is it possible some of the enthusiasm was more anti-Hales than pro-Wheeler? Could the battle lines shift with new blood in the race?

All that will become clear soon enough. For now, we’re helping you keep track of the latest scuttlebutt. Here’s a rundown of the people being most talked about to stand in for Hales (there are more than this, by the way), and what they’re saying.

MAYBE IN?

Deborah Kafoury, Multnomah County Chair-Kafoury’s got the last name and resume to take a legit shot at the mayor’s office, but she also finished a relatively competitive race not too long ago. She’s lefty enough to contrast herself with Wheeler (who used to be a Republican), and she’s fairly recognizable to voters. Most importantly, she hasn’t said she won’t run, while other potential candidates are dropping like flies.

Marissa Madrigal, Multnomah County Chief Operating Officer — Madrigal was former County Chair Jeff Cogen’s chief of staff, and wasted no time registering her disgust when his time atop the county unraveled with a sex scandal. With Cogen out, Madrigal filled his shoes for a short period, earning top marks for a candid and compassionate State of the County speech (and, more recently, for a speech at the annual Street Roots Family Breakfast), and capably running day-to-day business. Most interestingly, Willamette Week reports Madrigal got a call from Hales over the weekend, asking her to run. She hasn’t confirmed.

Robert Liberty, smart growth wonk—Liberty’s a lefty former Metro councilor who’s spent his career advocating for sustainable growth and generally nerding out on land use. Remember the Columbia River Crossing? Liberty hated it before it was cool, and he’s mulled running for city council in the past. He’s said to be “loosely” considering a run.

Jennifer Williamson, Oregon House Majority Leader—In a few quick years, Williamson has shot through the ranks. From rookie representative in 2013, Williamson is now the second-most powerful Democrat in the House of Representatives. A former lawyer and lobbyist, she’s been especially active on working on justice system issues. And she’s considering taking on Wheeler, according to Willamette Week.

NOT IN?

Tom Chamberlain, President, AFL-CIO – He’s got the always-useful backing of labor, and has mulled running for mayor in the past. He tells the Oregonian he’s not interested this time around.

Tina Kotek, Oregon Speaker of the House—The Portland Democrat is one of Salem’s most influential figures, and has the progressive chops to make a race against Wheeler interesting. She’s reportedly not considering it, though.

Nick Fish, City Commissioner—Fish found a niche early on in his City Hall tenure, developing passions for housing and parks while he helmed those bureaus. Then Hales came into office, snatching them away and sticking Fish with water and sewer duty at a time when water and sewer duty meant coming under attack. It bruised some feelings, but the relationship appears to have mended somewhat. Fish still can’t resist weighing in on the housing struggles that have increasingly come front and center in Portland. In the hour or so after he heard Hales wasn’t running for mayor, Fish told the Mercury he had no “current plans” to run. He’s since closed the door more forcefully.

Jefferson Smith, former state representative and mayoral candidate: Smith has charisma, political experience, and solid accomplishments under his belt (like founding the Bus Project), which is why he was Hales’ top competition for the mayor’s office in 2012. Hales won handily after Smith struggled in the closing weeks of the campaign amid some unflattering revelations. But Smith is still very much around. He hosts a weekly talk show on XRAY.FM, which he also helped found. Would Smith consider running again? Not likely. “City had their chance,” he said on his Wednesday radio broadcast.

Earl Blumenauer, US Congressman—A former city commissioner who’s run for mayor before (he lost to Vera Katz), Blumenauer’s name gets brought up whenever the mayor’s office looks like its up for grabs. He just won a fresh two years in Congress last November, though, and tells the O he’s not interested.

WILD CARDS?

Gwen Sullivan, president, Portland Association of Teachers—Under Sullivan’s watch, Portland Public Schools very nearly saw it’s first-ever strike last year. The teachers union Sullivan controls even voted overwhelmingly to walk out, but the crisis was averted at the last minute. Sullivan hasn’t returned our message about her intentions, but her name’s been floated by several sources. UPDATE: We got ahold of Sullivan!

Mike Reese, former police chief—Reese, named chief under Mayor Sam Adams, was pretty clearly mulling a run at the mayor’s office in 2012, before thinking better of it. He made peace with Hales—at least enough that he got to leave the job on his own terms. He’s been pretty quiet since, but cropped up just a couple weeks back, penning a guest editorial in the Oregonian about combatting homelessness.

DEFINITELY IN!

Did you know two people have actually filed to run for mayor? It’s true!

Steven Entwisle is a homeless advocate who can be seen at most Portland City Council meetings and has run before.

Lew Humble is a retired auto mechanic and perennial candidate.