Election madness is heating up in Portland. Here’s my attempt to help keep you updated on the latest happenings…
Political action committee Bike Walk Vote (who counts former BTA director Evan Manvel as a board member) has come out with a few more endorsements. Following up from their previous nod to Council hopefuls Chris Smith and Jeff Bissonnette (a dual endorsement for Council seat #1), they’ve now given a thumbs-up to Randy Leonard (Council seat #4), Jim Middaugh (Council seat #2), and Sam Adams (Mayor).
Bike Walk Vote reaches their decisions based on answers the candidates gave to questions such as:
Critics of bicycle/pedestrian projects often contend (inaccurately) that cyclists and pedestrians don’t pay their fair share in road taxes and other user fees. How will you make the case for allocating city funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects, instead of car and freight projects?
In other local political news, leading mayoral candidates Sam Adams and Sho Dozono will face off during a debate at Portland State University tomorrow (3/20). According to the event website, “A small panel will ask the candidates select questions on specific public policy areas such as transportation, economic development and public safety.”
(Thanks to Kevin H. for the image)
I’m looking forward to hearing more about Dozono’s platform on transportation issues.
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Mayoral Debate at PSU
March 20th, 11:00 – 12:15pm
Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom (1825 SW Broadway)
Free and open to the public
On the topic of debates, those crazy kids at Candidates Gone Wild are holding a big debate event (hosted by rock-star Storm Large) at the end of April. With so many good candidates they’ve decided to limit who appears on stage and base the decision on who gets the most votes.
Everyone is encouraged to vote for their favorites in each race on the Candidates Gone Wild website. *UPDATE: I just realized that once you vote, you get to see the latest results. See the results as of 3/19 at 10:00pm below.
- Candidates Gone Wild
Monday April 28th
Doors open at 7:00pm, show at 8:00pm
Roseland Theater (8 NW 6th Ave)
Tickets are $4 – Info Here
And they’re far from debates, but I plan to continue with an election theme for my upcoming BikePortland Social Hours. Last time we shared drinks and conversation with Chris Smith and Jim Middaugh and I’m working on having two more candidates for the next one. Stay tuned for details.
And last but not least, even though the event has already sold out, I figured I’d mention that Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is coming to our backyard on Friday. We haven’t heard much about bikes from any candidate so far, but I’d be surprised (and disappointed) if Mr. Obama doesn’t at least mention bikes while giving a speech in the epicenter of biking in America.
- Barack Obama Stand For Change Rally
Friday March 21, 9:30am
Memorial Coliseum (500 North Winning Way)
Doors Open: 7:30 a.m.
Program Begins: 9:30 a.m
If you’re one of the lucky ticket holders, let us know how it goes.
For more information about the election and the candidates, visit the City of Portland Auditor’s Office Election page and check out the BikePortland archives for more Election 2008 coverage.
Candidates Gone Wild voting results as of Wednesday, 3/19 at 10:00pm:
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Mayor (2 will be chosen)
Sam Adams 569
Sho Dozono 488
Beryl McNair 68
Christopher Rich 54
Jeff Taylor 33
Bob Forthan 29
James Lee 28
Seat #1 (3 will be chosen)
Jeff Bissonnette 372
Amanda Fritz 367
Christopher Smith 311
Charles Lewis 248
John Branam 221
Mike Fahey 164
Seat #2 (2 will be chosen)
Jim Middaugh 534
Nick Fish 452
Ed Garren 201
Fred Stewart 122
Harold C. Williams II 96
So far no candidate has accepted my challenge for the Mayor\’s Mile at Alpenrose in May. Looks like neither Adams, Leonard, nor Middaugh can handle a real bike.
It\’s actually….
Memorial Coliseum
500 North Winning Way
Portland, OR. 97227
Doors Open: 7:30 a.m.
Program Begins: 9:30 a.m
I sure wish someone else would run for mayor. Though I suppose either one will be better than Potter.
I must mention, on the Mayoral note, that I do not see a viable candidate running.
I mean even Sam Adams isn\’t.
Look at the last two mayor\’s, which Sam worked directly beneath.
Didn\’t he spend 11 years or something second in command during the Vera fiasco?
And now the Potter debacle….
What can we expect if he is simply moved up a notch into a bigger chair?
I am afraid I can in no manner back, someone who has been in a position to directly and positively guide 2 mayors, yet certainly failed to do so.
I have said it many times before, and I will say it again now.
Bud Clark is my mayor…
I know he doesn\’t want to run, but I have a dream……
Dabby, does the fact that Potter just endorsed Sam\’s opponent tell you anything about your statement on Sam\’s influence during the Potter Administration? Or do you ever even bother to pay attention to the facts?
It does, and I have thoughts on that as well.
But decided that it was best kept to myself…..
I have read many of your comments on issues, and could certainly use some of your statements to question whether you pay attention to facts.
Yet I will not. Each person does have the right to their own opinion.
Or am I wrong?
Trust me,
I would love for someone to be able to convince me that Sam, or anyone of the other candidates for this position, is the man for the job. So far, this has not happened.
Based on past experiences, I don\’t see it though.
I am open minded on the issue, and will continue to look into the candidates, of course.
Jonathan,
How about some coverage of other races that affect people in Oregon and this region, such as the race to replace Gordon Smith or Darlene Hooley?
Then, of course, there are other cities in the Metro region that have mayors as well as at Metro 😉
Portland is only 1/4 of the population of the region and while my dear home, is not the be-all and end-all of life or biking.
Hi Dabby,
I agree that Bud Clark is the best mayor that Portland could every dream of having…..but you might check out Chris Rich….he is aligned with Bud Clark\’s vision….