Local politicians are lining up to run in next year’s election. Plus, there’s an update on a voter-passed measure:
First Former City Council Member Enters the Race
Former Portland City Commissioner Steve Novick has entered the 2024 race for Portland City Council. He’s the first candidate to have previously served on council. Novick was on the left-wing side of things during his one term from 2013 to 2017. But he’s entering the race emphasizing a centrist policy position of spending the city’s money wisely. He’s running in Southeast’s District 3. [Willamette Week]
City Commissioners Face Off in Mayoral Campaign
City Commissioners Rene Gonzalez and Mingus Mapps are the highest-profile candidates to enter the 2024 race for mayor — so far. In interviews with Willamette Week, both weren’t shy about criticizing each other: Gonzalez called Mapps an academic “not particularly capable of garnering three votes by himself.” Mapps described Gonzalez as “skeptical of racial equity initiatives” and took issue with Gonzalez’s “very colorblind approach to city policy.” [Willamette Week]
Legal Challenges to Voter-Passed State Measure
- Republican senators were in the Oregon Supreme Court last week to argue their case for being allowed to run for reelection, even after having more than 10 unexcused absences during last year’s walkout. The case is centered on whether Measure 113, which is supposed to limit unexcused absences (and prevent lawmaker walkouts), is correctly worded. [Willamette Week]
- In a ruling on a preliminary injunction for a separate court case, a federal judge decided against the three Republican senators’ argument that walkouts are constitutionally protected free speech. That case will proceed, but the judge didn’t step in to put them on the ballot now. [Oregon Capital Chronicle]
