With a new mayor and at least two new members of our five-member City Council, 2008 is set to be a transformational year in Portland politics.
Bike issues and the bike community can play a big role in shaping the local political landscape and I’ll be covering the candidates, races, and news to help you get involved in the process.
Bissonnette — who is very close to facing a runoff with Amanda Fritz for a seat on City Council — emerged as a champion of bicycling and sustainable transportation during his campaign.(Photo © J. Maus) The race for City Council Seat #1 has gotten even closer as the final ballots trickle in. Amanda Fritz is … Read more
[Updated throughout the night. Refresh for latest.] Portland’s new Mayor, Sam Adams.(All photos © J. Maus) It’s election night and the campaign parties are going strong all over the City. The big news is that Sam Adams has won the race for mayor with a decisive 52-34 victory over Sho Dozono. During his concession speech, … Read more
“It’s time that the entire country learned from what’s happening right here in Portland with mass transit and bicycle lanes and funding alternative means of transportation.”— Senator Barack Obama The historic crowds from yesterday’s Barack Obama rally made headlines from Chicago to India — but the big news around here is that bicycles left their … Read more
Due to his role as Commissioner in charge of Transportation, I have reported on Sam Adams many times in the past few years. Last week I finally sat down with Sho Dozono — a Portland business owner who is Adams’ only competition in the race for mayor. Below are some of my thoughts on this … Read more
Yesterday, I shared some thoughts (and asked for yours) on the race for Council seat #2. Today, we move to to the other hotly contested battle for City Commissioner being waged by six candidates, five of which are likely to garner a significant number of votes. This race features several impressive candidates and two — … Read more
With just over one week left before ballots are due, here are my thoughts on the race to fill Seat #2 on Portland’s City Council. Nick Fish(Photos © J. Maus) Jim Middaugh
Over the weekend, Seattle P-I columnist Joel Connelly traveled to Bend (175 miles SE of Portland) to cover Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign visit. In a column he published this morning, Connelly wrote: Sen. Barack Obama talked wistfully about taking a bicycle ride in the high Oregon desert, but plunged back into what is both a … Read more
Devoted bike advocate and transportation guru Chris Smith will take part in a City Club debate tomorrow.(Photo © J. Maus) You’ve got some important choices to make in this election, so why not wait a few days before making up your mind? Tomorrow is the big City Club debate featuring the six candidates vying for … Read more
An Obama spoke card in Portland, via Los Angeles and New Orleans.(Photos © J. Maus) Local news outlets are reporting that Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, is headed to Portland. No specific details about his visit have been announced but he’s expected to be in Portland later this week. Sen. Obama … Read more
Reader David Seifert sent in this photo. Ballots are out and some Portlanders are already casting their votes in a landmark election that will remake Portland City Hall. I’ve been lacking a bit in political coverage but I hope to rectify that in the next few days (hold on to those ballots!).
Daniel Johnson (pre-trim).(Photos © J. Maus) Daniel Johnson — the guy behind the pothole ride — started Bike Lunch as a way to meet people and encourage community among folks who ride. The idea is simple: Meet every Friday during the lunch hour and share conversation among friends old and new. The event is catching … Read more
Check out this cool and short (1:46) YouTube video from City Council candidate Chris Smith. He gives an overview of his strategy to make Portland into America’s sustainability leader: