Portland commissioners Gonzalez, Rubio land major endorsements in mayoral race

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — In the race to become Portland’s 54th mayor, local firefighters and police officers have endorsed Rene Gonzalez while Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has endorsed Carmen Rubio.

Gonzalez currently serves as the city commissioner of public safety. On Tuesday, his campaign revealed that the Portland Fire Fighters’ Association and the Portland Police Association have backed his bid for mayor.

In a statement, PFFA President Isaac McLennan said the union was endorsing Gonzalez because the city needs a leader who prioritizes public safety. PPA President Aaron Schmautz echoed this, saying Gonzalez is “best suited to lead us forward.”

“As a city, we deeply value a woven public safety model connected to community and accessible to all,” Schmautz said. “We have seen positive momentum towards pragmatic solutions that are moving our city forward. It is critical that we continue to foster new ideas and courageous leadership.”

The two unions also endorsed Gonzalez in his 2022 campaign for Portland City Council, in which he replaced incumbent public safety commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty.

But on Wednesday, competitor Rubio — who oversees Prosper Portland and the city bureaus for housing, development services and planning and sustainability — revealed that Gov. Kotek is behind her campaign.

According to the Oregon leader’s statement, Rubio boasts a “track record of getting results.

“She’s focused on what matters — cleaning up the city, getting people into shelter and affordable housing, and bringing back the city we all love,” Kotek said. “We can count on her to deliver the kind of change Portland urgently needs.”

Both Rubio and Gonzalez are running against fellow City Commissioner Mingus Mapps in the running to replace current Mayor Ted Wheeler.

Other candidates who have filed a notice of intent to run are activist and stripper Liv Osthus, REAP Youth Essentials Coordinator Durrell Kinsey Bey, Shelter Portland founder Keith Wilson and Marshall Runkel — former chief of staff for previous Commissioner Chloe Eudaly.