Take a deep breath. Let’s talk politics.
What an amazing election season this year has been! Unprecedented in the number of candidates, the potential for political change, and the scope of campaigns, and one that I have never been involved in in the last 19 years. there is no. With only a few days left until the moment of truth when the pencil is dropped, I’m feeling a range of emotions that I’m sure many of you are feeling.
Before we move on to the story of who won and why, we opened a thread to hear your thoughts on local politics, share who you’re voting for, and share your favorite candidates. I wanted to say a final word and share the atmosphere. Whether you’ve already voted or not, we’re curious to hear what BikePortlanders think about this big and very important local election.
To me, the general political question in Portland right now is not whether voters have moved to the center. It’s determined by science. After years of left-winging that peaked with the racial justice and anti-police protests of 2020, I have spoken to countless people who have told me they are more centrist. They have directly said that they are sectarian, or they have signaled in other ways. In terms of how they view our most pressing issues and the political choices surrounding them.
Beyond my private conversations with various people (which are private because many Portland progressives (aka liberals, leftists, etc.) I’m afraid of it being cancelled. This is a common fear that speaks to a larger problem. For progressivism in this city), look at how the candidates speak during the campaign: There are no abolitionist candidates, and none of them want to be seen as anti-police. I don’t think so. Even some progressive standard-bearers won’t say, “We shouldn’t have more police.” They say things like, “Let’s fill existing vacancies first,” or “Let’s make sure we have the right people on the right calls.”
The big question is: How many people have moved to the center and how far have they progressed?
I’m a typical Portland progressive in many ways, but I voted for a candidate running on a platform that included more police and “clean up our city” rhetoric, and I voted for a candidate who is running on a platform that includes more police and “clean up our city” rhetoric. I know some people who are supported by (politicians). The mayoral candidate has been criticized so much that a political action committee has been set up to “Don’t Rank Rene”).
There are still clear differences in where candidates fit on the political spectrum, but the lines are not as bright as they were in 2020. Portland politics has changed a lot.
The big question is: How many people have moved to the center and how far have they progressed? Some of my friends, whom I love and respect, are adamantly on the “don’t rank Rene” camp, while others are voting for him, asking me to explain why I’m so skeptical. . And the strange thing about this election is that even if I could guess solid answers to my questions above, I don’t have a clear roadmap for which candidates will benefit from this change. That’s because many of the leading candidates are difficult to fit into traditional left-center-right labels (I’m thinking of Olivia Clark in the 4th Ward, Jesse Cornett in the 3rd Ward, etc.). People like Steve Novick and Mariah Hudson in the 2nd Ward).
For these and other reasons, it is very difficult to predict which three candidates from each district will be approved. I hope to see a healthy blend of political perspectives and practical experience in Congress. We need candidates who disagree on important issues like homelessness, public safety, and transportation. Because I’ve always believed that our best ideas and policies are built on healthy debate and openness to “the other side.” Of course, this apparently idealistic view works because 12 members of Congress, supported by various interest groups and bases across the political spectrum in Portland, are working together to make decisions that matter to our lives. It only works if there is a will to create good policies that make a difference.
Then there’s the mayor. Keith Wilson has a very good shot. But given the new world of ranked voting and the chaotic atmosphere of Portland voters, anyone has a chance of finishing in the top three.
What do you think? What do you think about local races? I’d love to hear your predictions, choices, and perspectives.
One last thing…your ballot must be in the mail and postmarked by Election Day (Tuesday, November 5th) or in an official ballot drop box by 8pm that day. Please check. Find the official ballot box on this Google Map.
