Will it matter to Central Oregon who Portland’s next Mayor is? Maybe not, but to keep our readers current, the incumbent Sam Adams has had some PR difficulties since taking office centered around the fact he lied about having an affair with a young man before his 18th birthday during Adams’ first campaign. In 2009, Time magazine asked, “Can Portland’s Gay Mayor Survive a Scandal?” We will see. Considering he has only raised $40 this year, it’s not looking too promising.
Eileen Brady the co-founder of the Portland-based New Seasons Market has announced her candidacy against Sam and seems to be gaining momentum fast with over $100,000 raised and an announcement last week she has been endorsed by Emily’s List, a national PAC that supports women candidates. But New Seasons is not a union shop and that could hurt her if unions decide to support Sam or someone else.
Jefferson Smith (D-Portland), 38, has confirmed to the Willamette Week that he is also considering a run. While there is no doubt his background as founder of the Bus Project (progressive young Portlanders who get on a bus to knock on doors in more conservative areas) and as instigator of the Oregon Legislative “Rick Roll”, he could ignite an exciting campaign, some doubt he has the management experience to run a city the size of Portland (How ‘bout Bend Jefferson?).
A third candidate, Charlie Hales, is already having PR problems of his own: the Willamette Week reported he lived in Washington for tax purposes while continuing to vote in Portland. Still, he’s raised over $100,000.
In other Portland news, Central Oregonians may remember Steve Novick (D) from his fiery run for the U.S. Senate in the Democratic primary that was won by Jeff Merkley (D). He had a memorable, quirky commercial, A Beer with Steve. He is now in a strong position to be elected to the Portland City Council.
This article appears in Jul 28 – Aug 3, 2011.
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“PR difficulties since taking office centered around the fact he lied about having an affair with a young man before his 18th birthday during Adams' first campaign.”
Rape is “PR difficulties”?????????????? Really gotta wonder about you guys sometimes. Well at least you provided yourselves with next week’s WTF.
Jon- Sam was not accused or charged with rape, if he had, he would have taken Wu’s path and resigned. What we were contemplating was his political future, which as of today’s news that he’s not running again, was pretty timely.
Being accused of or charged with a crime is not the determining factor in whether or not a crime was committed. Sexual relations with underaged persons is statutory rape. Its a crime whether or not prosecutors choose to do their job. Shame on you for your kid glove treatment of this slimeball.
Just to be clear, this is a community blog forum. The author is not an employee, or in any way compensated for the post above. As such, the Source does not implicitly or explicitly endorse the commentary. The opinions expressed are the writer’s own.
Jon- I agree with your assessment, but in this case, Sam was cleared of any criminal wrong doing in 2009, so my comments were focused on the political realities.