Hales Gets Blindsided as Former Mayor Katz, Potter and Adams Endorse Wheeler

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

GoLocalPDX News Team

Former Mayor Sam Adams

Ted Wheeler scored points today in the ever more contentious Portland Mayoral race.

Wheeler announced the endorsements of three former Portland Mayors - Vera Katz, Tom Potter and Sam Adams served as Portland’s mayors from 1993 to 2013.

“Ted Wheeler is the right choice for job. He can bring together the community to take on the challenges we face and make progress on the issues that matter,” said Katz, the last Portland mayor to successfully win reelection. “Portland needs new leadership, Portland needs Ted Wheeler.”

The announcement comes hours before Wheeler is scheduled to host a kickoff event for his campaign in Southeast Portland that will be attended by hundreds of local supporters. Wheeler first announced his candidacy on September 9, 2015.

“Portland needs to reach its fuller potential to tackle issues like racial and economic inequality, public safety and climate change,” said Adams, who served as mayor for 2009 to 2013. “Ted Wheeler has the experience and progressive values to make this happen.”

The Wheeler camapign claims "today’s announcement stands in contrast to the 2012 election where prior mayors split their endorsement, with Katz supporting Charlie Hales and Potter supporting Eileen Brady."

“Portland continues to grow into a diverse, vibrant community. It is critical that city government adapt to better include communities of color and other voices that have historically been pushed to the margins,” said Potter. “I am confident that Ted Wheeler has the commitment and passion to take on these important conversations and forge new relationships that ensure the will of the people is heard at City Hall.”

Related Slideshow: 7 Things the Mayor Could Do by Reorganizing City Hall

Here are some things a reshuffle might do for Portland Mayor Charlie Hales.

Prev Next

7. Shake up the Bureau Directors

While commissioners come and go, the directors are in charge of their bureaus in the long term. Bringing all the bureaus under his control during the budgeting process would force the directors to answer to the Mayor, if only for a short time. This move would send a strong message to the bureaucracy that the Mayor, in fact, is in charge.

Prev Next

6. Change the Staffing

In the past, some Mayors took over the bureaus and reshuffled their staff, most notably, the directors. Mayor Tom Potter and others have used bureau reshuffles to oust directors and other staff.

Prev Next

5. Realign Bureaus with Commissioners' Interests

Each Commissioner has his or her own strengths and interests. Amanda Fritz has always been passionate about neighborhoods, while Nick Fish is equally focused on housing. Giving the Office of Neighborhood Involvement back to Fritz and the Housing Bureau back to Fish might build political capital.

Prev Next

4. Reset Relationships

It would take significant negotiating with commissioners to execute a reshuffle smoothly. The Mayor would have an opportunity to rebuild alliances or work to align commissioners with his vision of a city council that functions more like a board of directors than a gang of mini-mayors.

Prev Next

3. Take Over The Bureau of Transportation

Hales' boldest play would be to take the Bureau of Transportation for himself. While it lays the responsibility of the Portland Street Fee squarely on his shoulders, if he is successful, Hales could claim victory over an issue that has vexed him since he was on City Council more than a decade ago.

Prev Next

2. Look Like A Strong Mayor

While most Portlanders don’t pay much attention to City Hall intrigue, if the Mayor appears to be cleaning house, it’s bound to earn points with some voters.

Prev Next

1. Get into Position for Year Three

If the Mayor successfully pulls off a reshuffle, he could end up in a stronger political position. If he decides to run for re-election, the move would come just in time for this year’s critical window for political fundraising.