(Photo © J. Maus)
Big political news in Portland today: Mayor Sam Adams announced he will not run for a second term in City Hall.
In an announcement posted a few hours ago, Adams wrote:
“I am under no illusion of how challenging the race for re-election would be. I’ve been in tough elections before; nobody thought I could win my city council race in 2004. But I believe for me to win re-election as mayor, I would need to fundraise and campaign full-time, starting now.
As I have considered the reality of a possible re-election effort, I have come to the conclusion that I have a choice: Move this agenda forward, or campaign full-time for re-election.
With the state of our nation in such flux, and so many local issues needing focused and hands-on mayoral leadership, for me, the choice is clear.
My best service to Portland will be to complete the platform of change and improvement you elected me to deliver: Creating jobs, increasing the high school graduation rate, and making Portland the most sustainable city, with the most equal of opportunities. This work is well underway, and I’m committed to making every day of the next 17 months count. Thus, I will not seek re-election.”
In addition to being Mayor, Adams is also oversees the Bureau of Transportation. Whether or not a new mayor would keep that bureau remains to be seen.
If Adams had chosen to run, he would likely have been the favorite (incumbents usually are). However, it would not have been a cakewalk. For many, Adams is still hampered by a scandal that occurred when he took office back in 2009.
Right now, the mayoral front-runners are Eileen Brady (of New Seasons fame) and former Commissioner and streetcar consultant Charlie Hales. And don’t forget about 19-year old Max Brumm.
I’ll have more on those candidates in the days and weeks to come. For now, upon hearing this news, I’d love to know what you think. Are you happy that we’ll have fresh leadership at City Hall and at PBOT? Or, are you sad to see Adams bow out? A mix of both perhaps?
If the Mayor is picking policy over politics, will that change his current tone on bike projects?
The next 17 months are sure to be interesting.