City Endorsements
District 4 - West
Ben Hufford
Ben Hufford, an architect and restaurant owner, is known for his practical, non-political approach to addressing Portland's housing and homelessness issues. He supports creating safe, clean shelters for the homeless while enforcing public camping laws and offering clear paths to mental health and addiction treatment. Hufford advocates for police investment with social service integration, civilian oversight, and policy revisions to meet Portland’s public safety needs. He calls for improved collaboration between local governments with measurable, transparent results. Focused on affordable housing, Hufford highlights the high costs of permitted housing in Portland, noting that excessive fees hinder development. His test project for 50 micro units showed the need for fee reductions to address the housing shortage. He also supports spreading donations across multiple candidates and emphasizes collaboration and networking among community leaders for shared success.
Stan Penkin
www.instagram.com/penkin4portland
Stan Penkin, former President of the Pearl District Neighborhood Association, is a savvy and pragmatic leader known for building relationships and coalitions with ease. A close ally of RPC and a confidant of Erik, he is aligned with key issues like homelessness, crime, safety, and effective government. Penkin is an active member of the steering committee for the new Homelessness Coalition and is often compared to Dan Ryan for his business-friendly, solutions-oriented approach. A strong advocate for public safety, he emphasizes the importance of open dialogue with police. While critical of the housing-first model and regulations like inclusionary zoning, he recognizes the housing crisis and has even declined support for energy reporting, despite being a climate advocate. Penkin has garnered endorsements from a wide range of supporters.
Eric Zimmerman
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Eric Zimmerman stands out as one of the most impressive non-incumbent candidates. A member of both the veteran and LGBT communities, he offers insightful responses on housing and public safety, advocating for increased housing supply and reduced regulation. Zimmerman critiques the Housing First model and supports a monitored shelter approach for individuals with mental health issues, drawing from his experience with Central City Concern to address insurance challenges. His campaign includes proposals to expedite permitting, increase building height limits, and implement permit reviews. Well-connected in local politics, Zimmerman has previously worked with Mayor Wheeler and Mayor Adams and is endorsed by Rene Gonzalez and Carmen Rubio. He has deep roots in Portland, a commitment to crisis management, and has made personal sacrifices to tackle the city’s challenges.
Eli Arnold
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www.instagram.com/eliforportland
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Eli Arnold, a Bike Squad officer who works directly in the downtown area, brings firsthand experience of the city’s condition to his strong campaign. Active in the RPC Crime Committee, he is thoughtful on the issues he knows and open to learning about those he doesn’t. Young and energetic, Arnold is attuned to both community attitudes and law enforcement needs. His campaign focuses on addressing homelessness, expanding police and emergency communication services, and enhancing fiscal accountability to ensure efficient use of city funds. He supports creating designated camping areas for homeless individuals and advocates for increased staffing in public safety organizations. With a clear understanding that the housing-first model isn't working, Arnold offers thoughtful housing policy ideas and is committed to improving public safety and addressing drug addiction issues.
Olivia Clark
Olivia Clark advocates for boosting law enforcement, reactivating downtown, and merging Multnomah County with Portland to improve city-county alignment on budget issues and public safety coordination. She supports securing more federal funding for low-income housing and has emphasized the need for strong leadership and collaboration as the council transitions to new roles. Olivia has proposed regular reviews of regulations to support businesses and highlighted her campaign focus on enforcement and permitting improvements. With experience in public affairs and alignment with RPC’s goals, she has also signed the Save Portland Street Response pledge and advocates for stricter street camping enforcement.
Tony Morse
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www.instagram.com/tonyforportland
Tony Morse emphasizes the importance of involving law enforcement in planning and providing incentives for individuals to enter recovery, while advocating for an increase in police officers. Reflecting on his bipartisan efforts in passing a fentanyl education bill, Morse showcases his ability to unite people across party lines. He supports the business community’s engagement with the city, the council’s oversight responsibilities under the new government structure, and addressing regulatory challenges faced by businesses. Sharing his personal background, including his recovery journey and involvement in addiction and public health issues, Tony positions himself as the recovery champion in City Hall. He advocates for a coordinated deflection framework to tackle the addiction crisis and suggests braiding funding from various stakeholders to achieve shared goals. Committed to working with the Multnomah County sheriff and corrections to find solutions, Tony also plans to address budget concerns related to jail services. Drawing on his experience with the Fentanyl Education Bill in Salem, he has developed strategies to overcome political opposition and has secured endorsements from 17 unions, pledging to build bridges between labor and business.
Bob Weinstein
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www.instagram.com/bob4portland
Bob Weinstein provided strong responses on both his questionnaire and interview, though his electability remains a question. He aims to fix the permitting process and supports ending regulations that hinder housing supply. Taxation is his primary concern, but it's uncertain if this will resonate with voters. With prior experience in elected office in Alaska, Weinstein's priorities include improving public safety, addressing homelessness, enhancing livability and economic development, supporting seniors and school funding, and curbing public drug use. He advocates for fiscal responsibility and proposes a moratorium on new taxes.