Oregon

19 mayoral candidates compete to lead Portland, Oregon, in a race with homelessness at its heart

Published

3 months ago

October 16, 2024

19 mayoral candidates compete to lead Portland, Oregon, in a race with homelessness at its heart

A lot of political changes are coming to Portland, Oregon.

The open mayoral race in the state’s most populous city features 19 candidates — all vying to lead after years of growing frustration over homeless encampments. Among them: three City Council members, including one ensnared in a driving record scandal; a stripper; and a trucking company CEO vowing to end unsheltered homelessness in 12 months.

The race was thrown open when Mayor Ted Wheeler decided against seeking reelection after holding the city’s top post since 2017. Wheeler rose to national prominence in 2020 as nightly protests erupted on Portland streets and around the country in response to the the police killing of George Floyd.

Whoever wins the mayoral seat will oversee a completely new system of government. Portland is expanding its City Council from five to 12 members, who will be elected by voters in individual districts rather than citywide, and adding a city manager position. And all the candidates — including the nearly 100 running for the new council seats — will be elected by ranked-choice voting for the first time.

Changing Portland’s charter had been on the ballot before, but failed until voters approved the overhaul in 2022. The most recent charter review kicked off amid the 2020 protests and a nationwide reckoning with racism that prompted conversations about making government more accountable and equitable.

Opening the door for more diversity

Numerous candidates of color are now running for the new council seats and mayor in the majority-white city. But it’s still unclear how voters, and those elected, will navigate the new system and its logistics.

“I don’t think that anyone has a really clear sense of exactly how things are going to work immediately after this election,” said Chris Shortell, associate professor of political science at Portland State University.

There are a few constants in this year’s campaign, however — concerns over homelessness and public drug use. Surveys conducted over the past few years have shown that Portland residents view homelessness as a top issue, said John Horvick, senior vice president of polling firm DHM Research.

“The key issues remain the key issues,” said Horvick. “Those continue to be the organizing principles of Portland politics and will certainly be through this election and beyond.”

City council members Rene Gonzalez and Carmen Rubio have led in fundraising among the mayoral candidates, along with Keith Wilson, whose freight company includes electric trucks. They’ve presented different visions for reducing homelessness in a metro area where a January 2023 count found nearly 4,000 people living unsheltered.

Differing approaches to homelessness

Gonzalez, who is endorsed by law enforcement groups, pressured Multnomah County, home to Portland, to pause giving tents and tarps to homeless people. He has pushed for stricter enforcement of anti-camping rules.

Rubio has called for more outreach workers and improved coordination between the players in the homelessness response system, such as shelters and social service groups.

Wilson, who founded a nonprofit working to increase homeless shelter capacity, has pledged to end unsheltered homelessness in his first year on the job. His campaign website says he’ll accomplish this ambitious goal in part by increasing the number of nighttime walk-in emergency shelters in existing facilities such as churches and community centers.

The three leading fundraisers are followed by City Council member Mingus Mapps, as well as Liv Østhus, a writer, musician and stripper whose stage name is Viva Las Vegas.

Mapps, whose campaign has struggled to gain momentum, is hoping to become Portland’s first Black mayor. If either he, or Rubio or Gonzalez — who have Latino heritage — are elected, it would mark the first time a person of color has led the city.

For much of the year, Rubio and Gonzalez were viewed as frontrunners. But recent revelations about Rubio’s driving record — as well as Gonzalez’s, to a much lesser extent — have shaken up the race.

Frontrunners confront revelations over driving

Rubio has received roughly 150 parking and traffic violations over the last two decades. She failed to pay many of them for months or even years and had her license suspended six times. She lost some endorsements following the news, which was first reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive.

“The best I can do at this point is to say again that I’m very sorry, and that earning Portlanders’ trust back is an ongoing commitment I take very seriously,” Rubio said in an emailed statement.

Gonzalez also had his license suspended twice over 20 years ago and racked up seven speeding tickets between 1998 and 2013, including one that was dismissed, as first reported by Willamette Week.

“As a younger man, I sometimes drove too fast,” Gonzalez said in an emailed statement. “But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more responsible and it is reflected in my record.”

The news about driving records has created an opportunity for Wilson, who has never held elected office, said Shortell, the Portland State professor.

“What looked like it was going to be a straightforward race has shifted in recent weeks into a little bit more open-ended race,” he said. “That has, when combined with the ranked-choice voting system, opened some space for Keith Wilson.”

Under ranked-choice voting, voters rank their picks in order of preference on the ballot. If a candidate is the first choice of more than 50% of voters in the first round of counting, that candidate wins.

Otherwise, the count continues to a second round. The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and voters who chose that candidate as their top pick have their votes redistributed to their next choice. The process continues with the candidate with the fewest votes getting eliminated until someone emerges with a majority of votes.

If Rubio and Gonzalez end up splitting voters, Wilson could be a second choice for enough voters to potentially advance, Shortell said.

The new voting system, new form of government, and sheer number of people running for office represent a lot of moving parts for both candidates and voters, and it may take multiple election cycles for City Hall and residents to get a clear sense of how things work, Shortell said.

“Right now it’s a new system, and everyone is trying to figure out what it means,” he said. “And that’s the nature of change.”

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Oregon

Oregon vs. Maryland: Instant Reactions to Ducks' Win vs. the Terrapins

Published

8 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

Oregon vs. Maryland: Instant Reactions to Ducks' Win vs. the Terrapins

The Oregon Ducks beat the Maryland Terrapins, 83-79, in a thriller on Sunday afternoon. The Ducks trailed by as many as 13, but due to key contributions from star guards Jackson Shelstad and Keeshawn Barthelemy, the Ducks avoided falling to 1-3 in conference play and losing two straight games at home.

In the first half, it looked as though Oregon was going to get blown out for the second straight game. But with just under eight minutes left in the first half, Shelstad scored eight points in 69 seconds. That solo run brought the Ducks alive and into the game, allowing them to shrink Maryland’s lead to three at halftime.

The Ducks started the second half down 45-42, but they quicklywent on a 14-2 run, leading by nine with 15 minutes to in the game. At that point, it looked as though the Ducks might run away with the game, but the Terrapins stormed back, retaking the lead with nine minutes to go.

In the final 10 minutes of the game, neither team could pull away from the other, and with two minutes to go, the game was tied 76-76. Jus then, Barthelemy laced a clutch three-pointer to go ahead, and after that, Oregon several key stops to close out the win.

Oregon vs. Maryland Keys to the Game

The Ducks would not have won this game if not for Jackson Shelstad. The sophomore guard was as productive and efficient as you can be, not missing a shot until nearly 30 minutes into the game. At one point, Maryland was face-guarding Shelstad at half-court without the ball in his hands.
This truly was a game of momentum, the lead changed hands several times and both teams went on multiple massive runs. Without their big run to end the first half, or their 14-2 run to start the second half, the Ducks wouldn’t have come close in this game.
Both teams shot the basketball very well on Sunday. Both finished over 45% from the field and over 40% from three. In a game dominated by offense like this, it’s only fitting that the result came down to defense.
The Ducks defense was much improved from their horrendous showing on Thursday against Illinois, but it still had room for improvement. Down the stretch, Oregon tightened things up on defense, holding the Terrapins to making one of their final nine field goal attempts.

Oregon vs. Team B Players of the Game

Jackson Shelstad: 23 points, 8/10 FGs, 5/5 3Ps, 5 rebounds, 2 assists

Keeshawn Barthelemy: 14 points, 5/8 FGs, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 block

Nate Bittle: 16 points, 6/10 FGs, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal

Bam Tracey: 10 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal

KJ Evans: 10 points, 7 rebounds

Oregon vs. Maryland Notable Stats

Oregon finished 52% from the field and 43% from three. The Terrapins shot 43% from deep as well, but after shooting over 50% from the field for most of the game, Maryland’s FG% fell to 47% in the final minutes.
The Ducks made 13/15 free throws, and the Terrapins were just 14/19. Several of those Maryland misses came in the game’s final minutes
The Ducks’ depth helped make the difference in this game. Their bench outscored Maryland’s 26-12.
Oregon guards Jackson Shelstad and Keeshawn Barthelemy combined for 37 points on 72.2% shooting.

What’s Next for Oregon Ducks?

Jan. 9 — at Ohio State Buckeyes
Jan. 12 — at Penn State Nittany Lions
Jan. 18 — vs. No. 20 Purdue Boilermakers
Jan. 21 — vs. Washington Huskies
Jan. 25 — at Minnesota Golden Gophers

After a two-game homestand to kick off the meat of Oregon’s conference schedule, the Ducks are going on the road for a pair of games against Big Ten opponents. After that, Oregon returns home for a Top 25 matchup and rivalry game against Washington.

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Oregon

How to Watch Oregon Ducks, Maryland Terrapins Basketball: TV Channel, Preview, Prediction

Published

15 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

How to Watch Oregon Ducks, Maryland Terrapins Basketball: TV Channel, Preview, Prediction

The Big Ten Conference competitive nature has been a hard going for the Oregon Ducks thus far. The Illinois Fighting Illini came into Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene on Thursday for the first time, dropping 109-77 in the road victory. The first time any opponent has scored 100 or more since the arena opened back in 2011.

Oregon coach Dana Altman moves onto the next opponent in coach Kevin Willard’s Maryland Terrapins who are coming off a 75-69 loss at the Washington Huskies. Their first hike in the Pacific Northwest trip continues on for the new conference foe.

Dec 29, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman calls a play during the second half against the Weber State Wildcats at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images / Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Maryland’s freshman center Derik Queen will be a lot for any of Oregon’s frontcourt to handle. At 6-10, 246-pounds, he has already made his presence known on the NBA Draft board. According to a recent prediction from On3, Queen is outside of the lottery but to be selected with the No. 17 pick for the San Antonio Spurs. No Ducks are on the radar.

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Through 14 games with the Terrapins, Queen is averaging 15.6 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game, and 1.0 blocks per game.

“Very good low-post scorer with advanced/nimble footwork and use of fakes. Calls for the ball and goes to work quickly, commands double-teams at this level. Uses his body well to carve out space, understands positioning and sealing his man better than almost any prospect you’ll see at this age. Good baseline spin that can end with a drop-step jam.”
– NBADraft.net on Maryland’s Derik Queen
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Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) posts up against Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks forward Jalen Ware (24(

Dec 28, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) posts up against Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks forward Jalen Ware (24) during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images / Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Oregon’s Nate Bittle will have his hands full down at the low post against Queen. Bittle leads the Ducks with 13.2 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, and 1.8 blocks per game. Georgetown Hoyas transfer Supreme Cook can help down low, putting in 20 points on 8-11 field goals off the bench against Illinois earlier this week.

According to oddsmakers across the major sportsbooks, the Ducks are favored to win against Maryland. The spread is currently four points in favor of Oregon, and the over/under points total is set at 150.

Maryland (11-3, 1-2) is in Eugene to try to knock off the No. 9 Oregon Ducks (12-2, 1-2) on Peacock at 1 p.m. PT. A victory for Altman and his team could potentially keep them within the top-10 of the AP Poll on Monday morning and move them up the March Madness seeding.

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MORE: Peyton Manning Addresses Bo Nix’s Future With Denver Broncos, Sean Payton

MORE: Oregon Ducks Receiver Evan Stewart Explains Injury, Absence vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

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Oregon

How Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun and the rest of Ohio State’s defense graded against Oregon in the Rose Bowl

Published

23 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

How Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun and the rest of Ohio State’s defense graded against Oregon in the Rose Bowl

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun came into Ohio State’s rematch against Oregon in the Rose Bowl with a point to prove and each did just that.

Burke wanted to prove that his showing in the last meeting was nothing more than just a bad day and a better performance was on the horizon. The result was being targeted just once with no catches on his way to a Pro Football Focus grade of 70.1.

Igbinosun didn’t take lightly the way the Ducks’ receiver spoke of his ‘weaknesses’ heading into the College Football Playoff matchup. He allowed four catches on five targets but for only 45 yards and a score. He posted a grade of 65.3

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Here’s how the rest of the defense graded:

(PFF grades every player on every play and uses a scale of 0-100, with higher grades indicating better play. PFF has explained its grades this way: 100-90 elite; 89-85 Pro Bowler; 84-70 starter; 69-60 backup; 59-0 replaceable. In other words, it’s similar to how we would match up percentages with traditional letter grades in school.)

NOTE: Snap counts in parentheses.

DEFENSIVE END

Jack Sawyer: 72.2 (49)

Mitchell Melton: 69.4 (9)

J.T. Tuimoloau: 65.0 (54)

Caden Curry: 64.1 (10)

Kenyatta Jackson: 57.8 (22)

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Eddrick Houston: 79.3 (14)

Tyleik Williams: 77.0 (49)

Hero Kanu: 65.0 (8)

Tywone Malone: 59.5 (3)