The hottest politician in America? An “avid cyclist” from Portland

[via BlueOregon]

AOL’s Lemondrop (an “edgy women’s lifestyle site”) has put together a list of the The 51 Hottest Politicians in America.

#1 on the list is 32-year-old Oregon State representative Ben Cannon from Southeast Portland. I searched my archives and found this shot of him pedaling along the Marine Drive bike path in July 2007:

Tour of Tomorrow

America’s hottest politician wears spandex and neon.
(Photo J. Maus)

I rode with Ben a few years back at one of the Cycle Oregon policymakers rides. I was impressed that he was a State Representative at such a young age (he’s clearly got a bright future ahead of him), but I had no idea he was such a “hottie”.

Here’s how AOL’s Lemondrop describes him:

This guy teaches middle school and is an avid cyclist. He’s also got that grunge-cute look of a guy who plays in an indie rock band on the side. We like. A lot.

Congratulations Ben! Hopefully you can use this important endorsement in your current re-election campaign ;-).

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Coyote
Coyote
15 years ago

Ha Ha, at 32 when you have not shaved for a couple of days it is rugged and sexy. At 52 you just look scruffy. Oh well time marches on 🙁

mmann
15 years ago

Go Ben! He’s my rep. and has done a great job for us in outer S.E. And The world can always use more cycling middle school teachers 😉
btw – Jonathan, you neglected to mention Ben’s up for re-election.
Vote!

Adams Carroll (News Intern)
15 years ago

thanks mmann.. my oversight.. i’ve edited the story and linked to his re-election site. cheers.

mac
mac
15 years ago

absolutely. ridiculous.

Natas
Natas
15 years ago

Damn. I thought it was going to be a woman so all the angry neo-feminists could come out of the woodwork.

Steven M
Steven M
15 years ago

Damn he is sexy.

Mark Allyn
15 years ago

To Coyote:

What’s to say at 52 you look scruffy.

I am 55 and still look young and sexy.

Do I detect a hint of agism?

Luv

Cleara
(Mark Allyn)

wsbob
wsbob
15 years ago

Dude’s got a great website and run-down on his position regarding the issues. One of the best amongst his priorities is his commitment to “…bridge the urban-rural divide by building relationships with non-Portland legislators, including members outside the Democratic Party.”.

There is way to much energy being wasted on competition rather than recognition of common interests and co-operative efforts made to serve them.

Jessy
15 years ago

So, wait… Each state only gets one politician?

That’s lame, because Sam Adams is sooooo at the top of my list. And compared to some of the other winners on the Lemondrop site? Absurd! No contest…

Coyote
Coyote
15 years ago

Mark Allyn (#7):”What’s to say at 52 you look scruffy.”

My wife mostly. Actually I look better than than I did 20 years ago. (And yes, it was kind of a low bar.) Now, I really cannot do the silver-gray stubble thing without looking scary. Agism? Perhaps, although I find the touch of grey in my wife’s hair very attractive.

Cheers

joeb
joeb
15 years ago

I don’t have kids. I vote every time to increase funding for schools. I vote every time against funding for jails. I vote every time against Kevin Mannix.

This is exactly what I want to hear a politician say.

“Priorities. I will work to repeal Measure 11. Our prisons budget rose 30% in the last biennium as a result of our policy of mandatory minimum sentences even for non-violent offenders. If we dont fund school now, we fund more prisons later.”

That’s Hot.

shazam
shazam
15 years ago

ridiculous that they have this, but…
he is hott!

bob
bob
15 years ago

Its Dukakis!

StudentifBen's
StudentifBen's
15 years ago

Umm….you guys are nuts? I wen’t to ARbor, and he was my teacher for 3 years. He really is a sweet, kind, informed man and a brilliant, promising politician. But he is not attractive! Speaking as a girl who went through a crush about every three weeks in middleschool, he is not hot. If his status as the hottest politician in america brings him recognition for his grass-roots politics (he won’t take donations over $100 and not from any organizations, only individuals), commitment to direct interaction with the community he represents, and political oppinions, great. But who cares what he looks like? Oh, and all the sites don’t mention, he is 6 feet 6 inches tall, so you spend most of your time staring into his chest rather than his face. I’m glad to see that other post-ers are looking at his website and the issies he cares about. his site is votebencannon.com