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Date ArticleType
1/17/2024 Member News

2024 Political Races in the Greater Portland Area


Portland
HBA’s most obvious political opportunity and challenge will be in the City of Portland, where recently passed charter reform will result in a new 12-member council, in addition to a new Mayor who’ll install the city’s first-ever City Manager. Currently, there are three main contenders for Mayor—all of whom are sitting city councilors. Commissioners Mingus Mapps, Rene Gonzalez, and Carmen Rubio are all vying for the city’s top elected seat. Additionally, there are roughly 70 candidates either formally running or expected to run to fill what will essentially be 12 vacant council seats. As one might imagine, there is significant resources and attention going to this first pass at reform, as many anticipate newly minted incumbents will hold significant political sway in the coming decade. HBA will be working with several business groups to support and elect a core majority of pragmatic, business-friendly candidates.

Metro
There are three seats up for election at the Metro Council, each of which is being held by an incumbent. Councilors Mary Nolan, Duncan Hwang, and Gerritt Rosenthal are all up for reelection to represent their districts for another 4-years.

Multnomah County
In Multnomah County, there will be a once-in-a-generation turnover of three out of five seats. Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, who was recently elected in May 2023 to fill Jessica Vega Pederson’s seat following her ascension to County Chair, will be up for re-election. Additionally, two other seats being vacated by term-limited Commissioners Sharon Meieran and Lori Stegmann will be up for grabs. The results of this election will shape the ideological majority on an important governing body that oversees essential services for the industry.

Clackamas County
In Clackamas County, there will be three key races that also have the potential to impact its governing majority—this includes the County Chair’s race, and two seats currently being held by incumbents Martha Schrader and Mark Shull (both of whom are running for re-election). Chair Tootie Smith has announced she is running for re-election, having drawn a challenge from former County Sherriff Craig Roberts.

Washington County
In Washington County, there will be two commission-level races that will be important to our members. The first, and perhaps most seismic, is the seat being vacated by Roy Rogers, the longest-serving County Commissioner in Oregon and a long-time supporter of HBA. Former Tigard Mayor Jason Snider has formally announced his candidacy to fill Commissioner Rogers’ seat. The other seat is the one currently held by Nafisa Fai, who is running for re-election.

Yamhill County
The Yamhill County Commission will also have an election for the commission seat currently being held by County Chair Lindsay Berschauer. The county has a three-person board of commissioners, who choose to elect their chair consensus by vote. Chair Berschauer is anticipated to run for re-election, with a challenge expected from Newberg Farmer David “Bubba” King.

Hillsboro
The City of Hillsboro will vote for a new Mayor in 2024, replacing the outgoing Mayor Steve Callaway who was first elected in 2016. So far, sitting City Councilor Beach Pace is the only candidate to announce a run for Mayor. Hillsboro is a key jurisdiction for the HBA, and following years of proactive partnership with homebuilders, were recognized with the 2023 Ernie Platt Award at November’s Housing Forecast.

Beaverton
The City of Beaverton will also consider who will be its next mayor, with incumbent Lacey Beaty running for reelection. Beaverton is another important city for HBA and our members, with large comprehensive plans being drafted by staff, including the South Cooper Mountain area which includes more than 2,300 acres and will produce several thousand units in the coming decade, among other planned developments.

Lake Oswego, Wilsonville, Cornelius, North Plains, and West Linn
Some of the other races we’re tracking this cycle are for mayor in several cities including Lake Oswego, Wilsonville, Cornelius, North Plains, and West Linn. Each of these cities have incumbents sitting in their current roles, including Jeffrey Dalin (Cornelius), Teri Lenahan (North Plains), Rory Bailostosky (West Linn), Joe Buck (Lake Oswego), and Julie Fitzgerald (Wilsonville). Each person will have until March 12th to file for re-election.