Liv Osthus promises to bring “an artist’s eye, an advocate’s heart and a dancer’s work ethic” if the iconic Portland stripper (known professionally as Viva Las Vegas) is elected mayor in November.
Mingus Mapps pledges to bring “clear communication and collaboration with diverse communities” to the mayor’s office “to ensure the new government structure works for everyone.”
Whichever of the candidates on the ballot becomes Portland’s next mayor, the new leader will inherit a very different city hall. Portland voters transformed local government in 2022 when they approved changes to the city charter.
The mayor is now elected separately from the council to a paid full-time position. Portland previously had a five-member council under a “weak mayor system.” The mayor could flex their administrative muscles by declaring emergencies and assigning city comissioners to supervise individual bureaus.
Nonetheless, mayors were basically first among equals with their fellow four commissioners.
Now the City Council will expand from five to 12 seats, with three councilors representing each of four geographic districts. Councilors are elected by a ranked-choice voting system.
Portland will also have a city administrator who answers to the mayor and oversees the city’s day-to-day operations. Councilors will set policy, but administrators will implement.
Incumbent Mayor Ted Wheeler represents the last of the traditional Portland mayors. Wheeler, who was elected in 2016 after six years as Oregon state treasurer, announced in September last year that he won’t be seeking re-election.
Current commissioners Carmen Rubio and Mingus Mapps (both elected in 2020) and Rene Gonzalez (elected in 2022) are among the candidates vying for the mayor’s job.
Candidate Rene Gonzalez did not respond to Street Roots’ candidate questionnaire.
Durrell Kinsey Bey
Portland’s next mayor will have an important role in ensuring Portland’s smooth transition to a new form of government. Why are you the right person for that job?
As Portland transitions to a new form of government, the next mayor must provide steady leadership and clear vision. I’m the right person for the job because I have proven experience in navigating complex changes, building consensus and delivering results.
My commitment to transparency, accountability and community collaboration will ensure a smooth, effective and equitable transition. I also lead a nationwide Restaurant Revitalization Initiative, actively onboarding Portland restauranteurs now, with or without my election. This shows my dedication to Portland’s economic future and my readiness to lead through this critical transformation.
How do you think Portland should address its homelessness crisis, and what role will you play in those solutions?
Portland must address its homelessness crisis with a strategic, compassionate approach that prioritizes moral rejuvenation and dignity.
I will lead by creating holistic solutions, combining affordable housing, mental health services and workforce development and agriprenuerial (entrepreneurial through an agricultural lens) training programs.
We must build partnerships across sectors — government, nonprofits and businesses — to provide sustainable pathways out of homelessness. My role is to ensure accountability, foster community-driven policies and guarantee wraparound support for those most in need.
Together, we can restore hope, safety and a sense of belonging for every Portland resident.
Aside from supporting private housing development to increase supply, how will you address the housing affordability crisis?
The weak dollar strains Portland’s local economy, driving up costs of goods, services and housing.
As national economic pressures burden our city, we must embrace community-centered solutions to counteract this. Beyond supporting private housing development, I will prioritize neighborhood-focused initiatives, such as community land trusts and co-op housing, to keep housing affordable and in the hands of Portlanders.
By expanding public investment in local workforce development and sustainable housing models, we can empower our 95 neighborhoods to stabilize themselves economically and socially. This ensures long-term affordability while strengthening the fabric of our communities.
Josh Leake
Portland’s next mayor will have an important role in ensuring Portland’s smooth transition to a new form of government. Why are you the right person for that job?
My journey began as an intern for Mayor Vera Katz, giving me invaluable insight into city operations, outreach and oversight of community policing.
Since then, I’ve dedicated more than 600 hours to volunteering with first responders and served on a Neighborhood Association board. I revitalized a community newspaper that still runs today, demonstrating my commitment to public service, local governance and ingenuity in communicating with the community.
My media and arts background, including founding the local Emmy-nominated Boys & Girls Club Future Filmmaker program and the Portland Film Festival, showcases my ability to create impactful initiatives and organize large-scale events.
How do you think Portland should address its homelessness crisis and what role will you play in those solutions?
Wraparound services for all shelters: Provide comprehensive support, including mental health counseling, addiction treatment, job training and housing assistance. I don’t want to read about another shelter opening or being supported that leaves their new tenants with only a bottle of water and one roll of one-ply toilet paper. Our homeless need to be set up for success, not to fail and create a revolving door.
Low-barrier income opportunities: Create accessible job opportunities through partnerships with local businesses and city-sponsored programs like Street Roots.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Street Roots is an independent newspaper and is not a city-supported program.
Aside from supporting private housing development to increase supply, how will you address the housing affordability crisis?
We need to take a multi-pronged approach to this issue. We need to increase the amount of housing stock available ASAP.
My plan includes provisions to reduce the cost of buying, selling and refinancing homes in Portland. In addition, I’d advocate for more straightforward processes. I will review all current assets, projects in development, outstanding deliverables, banking systems and more.
When I helped build a hospital when a local bank could not get financing, I moved their banking portfolio and saved the client more than $75,000 monthly in bank fees.
Mingus Mapps
Portland’s next mayor will have an important role in ensuring Portland’s smooth transition to a new form of government. Why are you the right person for that job?
I bring proven leadership as a city councilor who has successfully managed city bureaus during times of significant change.
My deep understanding of Portland’s unique challenges, combined with my commitment to transparency and equity, make me the right person to guide the city through this transition.
I’ll prioritize accountability, clear communication, and collaboration with diverse communities to ensure the new government structure works for everyone.
How do you think Portland should address its homelessness crisis and what role will you play in those solutions?
We must prioritize both compassion and accountability.
I will support expanding shelters and Safe Rest Villages while ensuring we enforce camping bans to reduce unsanctioned street camping. I’ll work closely with the county to improve mental health, addiction services and housing options while making sure resources are efficiently used.
My goal is to reduce the number of people sleeping on the streets through sustainable, scalable solutions.
Aside from supporting private housing development to increase supply, how will you address the housing affordability crisis?
I’ll advocate for more affordable housing by pushing for city-owned land to be used for housing projects, streamlining permitting processes, and providing targeted subsidies. We must also ensure existing renters have protections, prevent displacement and invest in preserving affordable housing units.
I’ll work to balance development with protecting Portland’s most vulnerable residents.
Sharon Nasset
Portland’s next mayor will have an important role in ensuring Portland’s smooth transition to a new form of government. Why are you the right person for that job?
My whole life I have been involved in successful negotiations, from selling seeds as a child, managing a restaurant, selling real estate and citizen lobbying.
Depending on “quorum” rules, I am hoping that the districts each set up an office with weekly meetings, workshops, working sessions and community meetings. Meetings will follow open meetings law, be held in person and shown on YouTube in the communities and not downtown at city hall.
How do you think Portland should address its homelessness crisis and what role will you play in those solutions?
Set up temporary camping areas in different parts of town with service, bathroom, showers, food for a go-to place. Allow legal drugs. Set locations near retail, transportation and not in residential areas. Use parking lots with electricity and concrete instead of mud.
Create a register to match up people with housing opportunities.
Aside from supporting private housing development to increase supply, how will you address the housing affordability crisis?
The city should promote rooming and boarding houses with information and events to educate people on how to set up rooming and boarding houses. Boarding homes are permanent and include food.
Use Oregon State housing funding directly to upgrade current properties so they can be fully utilized. Adding bathrooms, large windows, bedrooms and electricity creates additional housing without large changes to neighborhoods.
Using the current housing instead of large apartment complexes keeps the rent money local, not sending it out of state, which strengthens our economy.
Liv Osthus
Portland’s next mayor will have an important role in ensuring Portland’s smooth transition to a new form of government. Why are you the right person for that job?
I’m the right person for the job because instead of bringing either conflict politics or CEO energy to the table, I’m bringing an artist’s eye, an advocate’s heart and a dancer’s work ethic. I’m passionate about being a cheerleader for Portland, and I will not willfully misinterpret the voter mandate for a weak mayor system.
How do you think Portland should address its homelessness crisis and what role will you play in those solutions?
Homelessness in Portland is mainly governed by the county rather than the city. So when CEO candidates say they will “fix homelessness in x months” they are A. not understanding the role of mayor and B. not understanding the question.
Portland needs to demand data-supported models and work with the county to provide low to no barrier housing as well as medical care.
I am horrified by candidates who suggest that jailing citizens is a reasonable, justifiable or ethical position.
Aside from supporting private housing development to increase supply, how will you address the housing affordability crisis?
No zombie buildings. When I see empty buildings with unhoused people out front, it’s such a clear loss on everyone. I believe we should seriously consider vacancy tax which will reduce rent prices. The city could also consider buying zombie buildings and setting rent costs to stabilize the average.
Carmen Rubio
Portland’s next mayor will have an important role in ensuring Portland’s smooth transition to a new form of government. Why are you the right person for that job?
Leadership skills in this historic transition are going to define our success. Voters have to ask themselves: Do we want a mayor who has the proven ability to bridge divides across sectors, break through the differences and deliver? Or do you want a mayor who will continue to divide?
With a brand new council — many of whom will have never served in office — there will be a lot to figure out as people settle into their new roles. So we need an experienced and effective leader, not someone who will always be fighting with a new city council.
How do you think Portland should address its homelessness crisis and what role will you play in those solutions?
Housing is a human right. We don’t have to choose between accountability and compassionate solutions. We need to do both.
When I took office, I knew we needed more shelters, so I changed city code to make it possible to stand up the shelters and transitional housing we need to reduce homelessness. I led a delegation to Los Angeles to look at new approaches. We are now doubling down on our shelters with onsite services.
The initial data looks good. We need to stay the course and scale it up — focus on what works. That’s not congregate shelters without services.
Aside from supporting private housing development to increase supply, how will you address the housing affordability crisis?
While no city commissioner in recent memory has done more to catalyze housing development (expanded property tax incentives to spur more market rate housing with affordable units and reducing the cost of office-to-housing conversion in our downtown core), addressing our housing crisis is about much more.
This year also, I’ve brought folks together to advocate for deeper funding for services for supportive housing, resulting in Multnomah County including increased subsidies in their fiscal year budget.
Keith Wilson
Portland’s next mayor will have an important role in ensuring Portland’s smooth transition to a new form of government. Why are you the right person for that job?
As a citizen, I’ve dedicated my life to lifting up the voices of others.
I’m vice chair of Word is Bond, an organization dedicated to mentoring Portland’s future leaders, and founder of Shelter Portland, which seeks to end unsheltered homelessness in our city.
As a business leader, I’m an innovator best known for growing one of the most environmentally conscious, safe and exceptionally managed freight trucking companies in the nation.
My experience in team leadership, complex logistical and financial operations, process management, and systems improvement has never been more relevant as Portland transitions to a new form of government.
How do you think Portland should address its homelessness crisis and what role will you play in those solutions?
We are in the midst of a declared homeless emergency, and our city government must no longer delegate or lay blame for failing on our fundamental responsibilities.
As mayor, I will re-establish clear lines of what each jurisdiction provides. We must listen and learn from cities who have found successful solutions, open enough emergency nighttime shelters to provide a bed for everyone and set up service-providing day shelters.
We must lead, compassionately and cost-effectively, to shelter our unhoused population, end public camping, and once again prioritize our community safety laws on tents, RVs and public sanitation.
Aside from supporting private housing development to increase supply, how will you address the housing affordability crisis?
Through my private sector and nonprofit efforts, I have worked tirelessly to understand, collaborate and offer solutions to many housing issues affecting our city today. Housing affordability is hitting our young, BIPOC, lower-income and retired residents the hardest.
We can’t wait due to rising construction costs and the five-year timeline for new affordable housing. I’ll immediately add long-term affordable housing and immediate capacity using a “permitting strike team” to slash permitting wait times, target commercial-to-residential conversion, incentivize affordable accessory dwelling units and promote innovative “home share” solutions focusing on recent grads and retirees.
Street Roots is an award-winning weekly investigative publication covering economic, environmental and social inequity. The newspaper is sold in Portland, Oregon, by people experiencing homelessness and/or extreme poverty as means of earning an income with dignity. Street Roots newspaper operates independently of Street Roots advocacy and is a part of the Street Roots organization. Learn more about Street Roots. Support your community newspaper by making a one-time or recurring gift today.
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This article appears in October 9, 2024.