Marshall Runkel, candidate for Portland mayor
The official filing window for the 2024 City of Portland ballot opened on June 5, leading to a surge of new candidates entering the race.
Marshall Runkel, who served as campaign manager and chief of staff to former City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, announced his candidacy for mayor. Houseless advocate Michael O’Callaghan, who sued the city in 2012 after his belongings were confiscated while he was living outside, is also running for the position. Shei’Meka (BeUtee) As-Salaam, associated with the organization Black Women for Peace, is another mayoral contender.
In District 1, attorney Michael Sands joined the race, as did Peggy Sue Owens, listed as President of Don’s A-1 Glass.
District 3 saw the addition of Terry Parker, a former customer relations manager who unsuccessfully ran for city commission in 2020. He was joined by LGBTQ advocate Jaclyn Smith-Moore and Kenneth Landgraver, a scientific instrument technician at the Department of Consumer and Business Services.
“Don’t vote for me,” says D4 contender Brandon Farley.
In District 4, three new candidates entered the fray. Truck driver Chris Henry threw his hat in the ring, alongside former marine Patrick Cashman. Brandon Farley, a videographer known for filming and often provoking Portland protesters, also filed to appear on the ballot in what appears to be a protest against Portland’s new electoral system.
In a Twitter post, Farley stated that if he gets elected, it would “only prove that Ranked Choice Voting is a complete failure.”
“Don’t vote for me. Just watch for entertainment,” he added.
This is not Farley’s first time running for office. He also appeared on the ballot in 2022, challenging City Commissioner Dan Ryan.
Candidates can file until August 27
As of June 24, nine candidates are running for mayor, while 77 candidates are seeking a city council seat. Portland’s City Auditor, Simone Rede, is currently running for re-election unopposed. So far, five mayoral candidates and 31 council candidates have qualified to appear on the ballot.
Candidates can file until August 27, and they have until August 30 to withdraw their names.
