Portland’s incoming government faces a challenging year ahead. The new council and mayor-elect Keith Wilson will need to organize themselves internally, set norms, and build relationships—all while preparing for a difficult budget cycle. Despite these daunting tasks, the winning candidates made promises to voters. Here’s a look at their priorities. As a reminder, all legislation requires seven votes to pass, with the mayor casting the tiebreaking vote in the event of a deadlock.
Keith Wilson (Mayor)
Key Campaign Promise: Ending unsheltered homelessness within his first year as mayor by reopening Portland’s overnight shelters and adding temporary daytime shelters to increase available shelter beds. Once shelter beds are readily available, ramp up enforcement of Portland’s public camping ban.
Candace Avalos (District 1)
Key Campaign Promise: Avalos has signed the Save Portland Street Response (PSR) pledge, committing her to voting in favor of expanding PSR, the city’s unarmed first response team, to operate citywide and 24/7.
Loretta Smith (District 1)
Key Campaign Promise: Increasing Portland’s number of sworn police officers.
Jamie Dunphy (District 1)
Key Campaign Promise: Reforming Portland’s noise code to eliminate the “plainly audible” standard and maintain only a decibel-based standard for different zones and times of day. Dunphy has also pledged to support a Renter’s Bill of Rights to expand renters’ protections in Portland and beyond.
Dan Ryan (District 2)
Key Campaign Promise: Increasing Portland’s number of sworn police officers and bringing more job training opportunities to East Portland.
Elana Pirtle-Guiney (District 2)
Key Campaign Promise: Expanding Portland Street Response to operate citywide and 24/7. While Pirtle-Guiney has not signed the pledge to expand PSR, she made it a priority during her campaign.
Sameer Kanal (District 2)
Key Campaign Promise: Kanal has signed pledges to support a Renter’s Bill of Rights, expand Portland Street Response, and introduce a Gaza ceasefire resolution on the council.
Steve Novick (District 3)
Key Campaign Promise: Transitioning police officers to smart gun technology to prevent youth suicides and reduce gun crimes.
Tiffany Koyama Lane (District 3)
Key Campaign Promise: Koyama Lane has signed pledges to support a Renter’s Bill of Rights, expand Portland Street Response, and introduce a Gaza ceasefire resolution on the council.
Angelita Morillo (District 3)
Key Campaign Promise: Establishing a Sanitation Bureau to serve Portland. Morillo has also signed pledges supporting a Renter’s Bill of Rights, expanding Portland Street Response, and introducing a Gaza ceasefire resolution on the council.
Olivia Clark (District 4)
Key Campaign Promise: Ending street camping and public drug use.
Mitch Green (District 4)
Key Campaign Promise: Establishing a social housing program where the City of Portland would own and manage rental housing with rents tied to 30% of tenants’ income. Green has also signed pledges to support a Renter’s Bill of Rights, expand Portland Street Response, and introduce a Gaza ceasefire resolution on the council.
Eric Zimmerman (District 4)
Key Campaign Promise: Expanding Temporary Alternative Shelter Sites to provide immediate shelter solutions and seeking to ban RV camping and parking on Portland neighborhood streets.
