Question 3: The Role of Mayor Under Portland’s New System

Here, we dig into the role of the new mayor. Under Portland's new system, the role of mayor as we know it will vanish completely.
Right now, we essentially have five mayors. Moving forward, the mayor will work closely with the city manager to ensure core services are delivered, while the council shifts its focus to setting policy. As the only elected official with a city-wide mandate, the mayor needs to have a clear, broad vision for all of Portland. I’m a public servant first and foremost, not a politician, and I’m passionate about the mechanics of government. My goal is to share a clear, evidence-based vision for the city that’s achievable—and then make it happen.