To Reign over Portlandia: Interviews with Our Candidates

Portland Family | October 1, 2012 | 0 Comments

Jefferson Smith and Charlie Hales Portland is on the precipice of an interesting political and civic time. Much like cities across the country, we are concerned about education, the economy, healthcare and safety. We also follow and seek solace in changing circumstances that impact sustainability, transportation and the arts. Finding a leader who can move the needle forward on some of these more complex issues is no easy task. Factor in a high-profile, oftentimes thankless position as a public servant, and, well …

Enter the exciting mayoral race about to come to a conclusion in November. Two candidates—Jefferson Smith and Charlie Hales—have tossed their time, names, money and hearts into the public ring for you, dear public, to consider. Both have knowledge, passion and history in public service. We encourage you to do some research about their pasts and the many contributions they have made throughout their years in public service.

We also strongly recommend that if you haven’t been to a public forum, debate or event where Charlie and Jefferson are both speaking, find an opportunity to do so. Though they both have a similar level of commitment to improving the quality of life here in Portland, they definitely have different ideas on how to make this happen.

Listen in person to their specific beliefs and policy approaches. Though their political platforms are available on the web, try not to form a voting opinion through only what you read online. Another advantage of hearing Charlie and Jefferson speak is that you’ll discover they also have very two distinct personalities.

In recognition of the fact that political campaigns are often negative and geared towards rhetoric, Portland Family wanted to share a more personal side of each of the Mayoral candidates. We purposely chose to have Charlie and Jefferson pictured together on the cover of this month’s issue to show that political campaigns don’t always have to be nasty, spiteful or confrontational. Especially here, in the amazingly kind-spirited city of Portland.