Psychotherapist Ed Garren has decided to run for election early next year against City Commissioner Dan Saltzman. Garren, originally from Florida, moved to Portland in October 2005. He ran in the primary for Nick Fish’s seat in January 2008, after Erik Sten’s resignation, but was knocked out. An openly gay candidate for the seat, Garren is also a wonderful cook.
“I’ve just decided I need to throw my name in the ring, and file papers to get the 1000 $5 contributions,” he says. “As soon as I can nail down a place, we’re going to have a kick-off event on my 60th birthday, November 21st,” says Garren.
“There are issues that need to be addressed, and they’re either being addressed or not at all,” says Garren, asked why he’s running. “We talk about sustainability and green and all of that, but we’re not doing as best as we can do. There’s still issues between the police and communities of color, and we’re not doing enough to house the homeless.”
“I don’t know what’s going on with Saltzman, but he has not yet declared intent,” says Garren. “And he’s specifically said he’s not going to declare intent until the first of the year. But the cut-off for getting public campaign financing is not until the 31st of January. Now you remember what happened with Jim Middaugh and Erik Sten? Having a little bit of a suspicious mind, I think either he’s got someone in the wings who may want to step up as the new grassroots candidate.”
Middaugh was Sten’s chief of staff, who stepped up to run for Sten’s vacant seat when he resigned. Garren appears to be referring implicitly to Brendan Finn, Saltzman’s chief of staff, who is known to have political ambitions, should Saltzman decide not to run again.
“I’ve had a number of people tell me they want me to run,” Garren continues. “I’ve had people in the press tell me to run, a lot of community organizations, nonprofits, and even people in the press tell me they want me to run. So I don’t want to wait to see what Dan is going to do. This isn’t about me or about Dan, it’s about the voters, and I think the voters need a viable choice.”
One other publicly-funded candidate has filed for the seat, so far: Spencer Burton.
You can’t throw a name. Into a ring or otherwise. You can throw a hat though.
Mostly I’m just in favor of people throwing hats around.
Rip Taylor for City Council!
It’ll be interesting to see how the Sam smell factor plays with Portlanders in the city council election. It looks like Ed is a shoe in for Sam’s endorsement… if Ed even asks for it:
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=46090272767&topic=10806
Ed. You. Can’t. Win. People are still sick of your kissing up to Nick Fish.
And for those paying attention, it’s not Brendan Finn who will be heir apparent. It’s Jeff Cogen. And he’ll be good on the Council.
Don’t waste our time Ed.
Interesting observations about Sam, Brendan and Jeff.
Sam and I are both gay, that’s about the extent of any similarities between us. In the last election, I supported Sho Dozono, not Sam. I’ve supported Sam since he became Mayor, and think he’s doing a very good job, particularly given all that has happened, both in the economy and the Breedlove mess.
No candidate or elected official is perfect.
As for “wasting time”, it’s never a waste of time to participate in the electoral process. There are issues that need to be articulated. One of the reasons our country is in the mess it’s in is that not enough people have participated. Getting involved is always a good thing.
I love this community, and there is a lot we can do to make it better.
Ed Garren