With Monday’s deadline to submit information to the Multnomah County Voter’s Pamphlet fast approaching, many interest groups are finalizing their endorsements for inclusion in the widely-read voter guide.. The chance to reshape City Hall—with all fourteen seats in the newly reformed government up for grabs—presents a unique opportunity not only for candidates but also for interest groups hoping to influence the outcome. As a result, the 2024 election has seen an influx of endorsements from organizations and political players. As of September 8, over 200 elected officials, around 30 advocacy organizations, nearly 40 labor unions, and three political parties have endorsed their favorites among the 118 candidates vying for city seats.
Endorsement strategies vary: Some organizations endorse three candidates per district for the three available seats, while others recommend six candidates per district to align with Portland voters’ six ballot rankings. Meanwhile, some groups simply endorse their preferred candidates without regard to the number of seats or rankings.
Rubio Leads in Endorsements
In the mayoral race, City Commissioner Carmen Rubio leads in endorsements, securing support from over 20 progressive elected leaders and several social justice organizations. Her backers include Governor Tina Kotek, former Governor Kate Brown, and former Portland Mayor Tom Potter, for whom Rubio previously worked. Her platform, focusing on climate action, housing expansion, community policing, and tackling poverty and homelessness, has also garnered support from the Sierra Club, the Working Families Party, and labor organizations like the Portland Association of Teachers and AFSCME Oregon.
Rene Gonzalez, whose platform emphasizes economic revitalization and stricter enforcement of public camping and drug bans, has received endorsements from the Portland Police Association, the Portland Firefighters Association, and several regional sheriffs and district attorneys. He is also supported by various trade unions and former U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader. Keith Wilson, running on a promise to end unsheltered homelessness within his first year as mayor by rolling out a network of flexible, low-cost overnight shelters, is supported by a mix of trade unions, homelessness experts, and elected officials, including the mayors of Lake Oswego and Hillsboro.
Avalos and Cornett Secure Most Endorsements from Elected Officials
As of September 8, the council candidates who have attracted the most endorsements from elected officials are Candace Avalos, an environmental and criminal justice advocate in District 1, and Jesse Cornett, a recovery advocate in District 3. Jonathan Tasini, a writer and lifelong union organizer in District 2, leads in labor endorsements, closely followed by Tony Morse, a recovery and labor advocate in District 4. Environmental organizations, such as the Sierra Club, favor Candace Avalos, District 2’s Nat West, and District 4’s Mitch Green.
Business endorsements, which have been slower to roll out, include backing from Revitalize Portland, a pro-business group focused on public safety and economic growth. Their endorsed candidates include former Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith in District 1 and City Commissioner Dan Ryan in District 2.
According to sources, United for Portland, a business-friendly political action committee (PAC) expected to spend heavily in local races, has quietly made endorsements ahead of Monday’s deadline, though no formal announcements have been made. United for Portland includes contributions from the Portland Metro Chamber and the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors PAC.
Additionally, the PAC Working for a Better Portland, which represents labor unions and social justice groups, is expected to release its much-anticipated endorsements soon, likely informing candidates before the Voter’s Pamphlet submission deadline. To research candidates’ endorsements, visit our impartial voter guide.
