Hudson Calls On Oregonian to Expand Endorsement Interviews for Council Race

Qualified candidates are being passed over, she says.

Maja Viklands Harris Avatar
Mariah Hudson is running for a seat in District 2

Mariah Hudson, a candidate for Portland City Council in District 2, has submitted a letter to the Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, urging it to reconsider its decision to interview only a limited number of candidates for endorsements. Hudson pointed out that only five candidates from District 2 were invited, although voters will be able to rank up to six on their ballots.

“I’m the only solo working parent of young children in District 2 and bring a bench of experience serving on Budget Committees for Portland Public Schools and the Portland Bureau of Transportation that should merit consideration,” wrote Hudson.

Hudson, who has raised $104,000, is currently the third-highest fundraiser in District 2. She is backed by multiple business and labor groups, as well as elected officials like Multnomah County Commissioner Julie Brim-Edwards, City Commissioners Rene Gonzalez and Mingus Mapps, and State Senator Lew Frederick, who represents North and Northeast Portland.

“I’ve knocked on 7,300 doors and counting,” Hudson told Rose City Reform, adding that Willamette Week offered all candidates the opportunity to share their platforms.

Sources close to multiple campaigns have voiced frustration over being excluded from the Oregonian’s endorsement process. One of the most vocal critics is City Commissioner Mingus Mapps, the only sitting council member who did not receive an invitation to an endorsement interview. In a pointed tweet, Mapps noted that he is the only Black member of the City Council and has served “with honor” for nearly four years, yet was not given the chance to make his case.

“[…]character clearly isn’t the issue—my opponent Carmen Rubio, who has racked up over 150 parking tickets, is being considered. Rene Gonzalez also has traffic violations, questionable use of public funds, and lied about a Black woman attacking him. Yet these are your ‘chosen’ candidates,” Mapps tweeted.

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