Be better Jo Ann.
I am the proud son of a Mexican migrant worker, married to a Latina woman, raising 3 biracial children. Working towards a city that doesn't judge people or candidates based on their race.
This election is about restoring livability & safety for all races.
This election will determine if Portland moves towards a more humane, anti-racist future, or if we will slide back into Oregon's white supremacist and classist history. Talk to your neighbors, organize your community. Every single vote matters.
My car was firebombed outside my house by people who don't agree with my agenda for Portland. It's incumbent on all of us, including fellow candidates and public servants, to stand united and brave and to reject political extremism. Until then I will stand firm, because the work
Comm. Hardesty just called to congratulate & wish me luck in my new role. I want to thank her for her service to the city. Will have more news on celebration & transition soon, but do want to thank staff, donors, vols & my family for all the help.
Time to restore Portland!
Antifa/anarchists have terrorized my family & my city. I appreciate you calling a spade a spade & recognize you have been terrorized for it.
Portland is the city I love and it does better with a Democrat in the White House. We need to own our problems - but Trump kicked us when
@reneforportland
@JoeBiden
@KamalaHarris
Portland’s darkest days of violence in 2020 were because elected officials in the city, all Democrats including DA Mike Schmidt, allowed the violence to happen and chose not to prosecute most of the violent leftists in order to spite then-President Trump.
It was Trump who
It's here: Election Day. If you haven't yet voted, please make sure to have your voice count. I've been uplifted by all the kind words you've said and your faith in me. Thank you.
For the last time this year, I humbly ask you for your vote.
City Code has banned unsanctioned camping since 81.
Our city is overrun & under siege - it is time to enforce our laws, to the extent we can, with the resources we have.
Help those who want help.
Send home - or to criminal justice system - those who prey on our compassion.
One down, one to go 🙌
Congratulations to
@VoteVasquez24
, Multnomah County’s next District Attorney. Voters sent a clear message: Safety matters. Accountability matters.
Our campaign for Mayor is likewise focused on safety and accountability in the city of Portland. I need your
Portland needs collaborative, solutions-oriented leaders to fix our pressing issues. We have had far too much obstructionism from Commissioner Hardesty and it's time for a new direction.
We are incredibly proud to announce the endorsement of Tim Boyle, the President and CEO of Columbia Sportswear. He knows better than nearly anyone how to lead and build a lasting brand, and that our city desperately needs better leadership and an improved brand.
Today’s Supreme Court decision gives cities new tools to remove encampments. For Portland, it will require the right mayor and for the state legislature to remove state-level barriers imposed by HB3115.
A dark period in the west, for Oregon, for Portland has ended: the Supreme Court has overruled the 9th Circuit in Grants Pass v. Johnson.
It is time for the Governor Kotek and the Oregon State Legislature to correct or repeal HB 3115.
Horror in southeast - mom w/ child attacked by homeless man on way into preschool. Other moms fight him off. 5 minute hold for 911; 30 minutes later police show. Assailant apprehended; prior warrant + no trespass from school.
We can no longer cede Portland to this chaos.
We're proud to announce that City Commissioner Mingus Mapps has endorsed our campaign. He understands the need to work together to solve our city's problems & that progress can't happen without collaboration. We look forward to partnering with him to Restore Portland's Promise.
📣 Breaking news… Rene Gonzalez earns triple DA endorsement!
"Having the support of all three county DAs shows just how important this election and the City of Portland are to the region. What happens in Portland affects our whole metro area, and I’m committed to strengthening
Portland Mercury named Rene their
#1
villain of 2023. If you haven't heard of the Merc (they don't have much of a readership) their editor often doubles as a "reporter". Let them know what you think by donating to our campaign today!
Happy Holidays to all,
We're incredibly pleased that the
@wweek
editorial board moved away from their primary endorsement of our opponent to come on board and endorse our campaign. This particular quote is one of the best we've read about the state of our city.
In 2022, Portland was struggling & its reputation tarnished.
Voters started to make changes - choosing Rene & Vasquez over ideological incumbents.
Local progress is getting global notice.
Next up - rank Rene
#1
for Mayor for a safe & welcoming city.
Bend HS cancelled homecoming. 3rd year of major disruption for Oregon kids. Couldn't do it outside?
Oregon continues to be unwittingly cruel to kids. Famous get to enjoy life at Met Gala/Emmy maskless; something even vaxed kids here are getting denied too much.
I'm so honored to have such strong support from both our Asian community as well as
@iaff43
. Even with cloudy weather the spirits were bright; everyone was so fired up and ready to go!
Thank you so much
@iaff43
for all your support: at events in Southwest, Downtown, Deep East, and Central Eastside.
Blown away by public safety professionals help in this race!
Together we will work for a safer Portland.
Thank you to the dozens of Portland Firefighters who came out to support
@reneforportland
and the hundreds of firefighters and
@iaff43
members who posted on social media and posted yard signs for Rene. Get those ballots in!
Law enforcement needs clear mandates from elected officials and the public.
As Portland's next mayor, I will provide clarity in the fentanyl/meth crises: Portland Police are to bypass Multnomah County's deflection program if it is a revolving door without accountability for users
Rene Gonzalez brings a disciplined focus and a willingness to challenge Portland's complacency and paralysis on addressing complex issues. Voters should mark their ballots for Gonzalez for Portland City Council. Editorial endorsement:
Vadim called a short time ago to congratulate on the primary campaign we ran and to concede.
Vadim is a solid, thoughtful, and committed Portlander; we will need his help in restoring and protecting livability in the city.
On to the runoff!
It was incredibly exciting to meet
@POTUS
today, even if my face doesn't reflect it. Wish I could have a do-over!
I told him about the need for more police on our streets & our fight for family-wage jobs; he was very receptive to the message. We wish him well for his time here!
Thank you very much Oregon Editorial Board for your endorsement.
We are going to lead with data, with backbone, with appreciation for our history and our future as Portland faces the livability challenges before it.
So much to fight for!
To fund our social programs, we need a tax base. Driving residents and businesses out of the city doesn't help. Foreclosed hotels doesn't either.
3 Hotels Approaching Foreclosure in Heart of Portland Offer a Warning to City
Jo Ann danced around question for 3 minutes; Rene was clear in 15 seconds (at minute 2:00): "Less police officers makes the city less safe".
Do More Police Officers Mean Less Gun Violence? We Asked City Commissioner Hardesty & Gonzalez.
We are proud to announce the endorsement of the
@iaff43
, Portland's Firefighters.
As always, they are facing - not running from - the city's challenges. I am deeply honored by their endorsement and look forward to working with them in protecting and restoring the city we love.
It's our honor to announce an endorsement from former Mayor Charlie Hales. He knows better than most what Portland can be at its best and what it will take to get us back there. His wisdom will be critical in our mission to Restore Portland's Promise post-election.
Below is another data point showing Portland's downtown as a laggard in post-pandemic recovery.
Our downtown was once a success story & a source of immense civic pride. Declining safety & reputation are certainly issues, but we also need to raise the spirit of the place again.
If mayoral election were today, recent poll shows we would win all 4 districts and among women on final ballot 62-38%. Support has grown since January and we saw it firsthand knocking on doors across the east side this weekend.
Right now, neither gender nor race are
2022 polling gave us a double digit win among people of color (POC). If mayor's race were today, polling shows us winning among POC by over 20%.
Hardesty speaks for anarchists, DSA, & advocacy class.
A majority of Portlanders want effective police that stops criminals from
For Portland to meet the challenges of recent years, we must have a healthy police bureau. Platforming a police abolitionist 2 years after voters soundly rejected her ideology is undemocratic & imperils public safety progress in Portland. This is textbook judicial overreach.
Sworn in effective at midnight in the event of an emergency over the holiday. Ceremonial swearing in will not be until January 13th.
Happy New Year all - be merry and safe out there!
@reneforportland
came to Bison for my birthday coffee to show my love and support - and look who’s here! Proud to be volunteering on his campaign. Proud to see his investment in our city.
Since it's about the time of the season for a campaign's closing statement, here is mine from our KGW Straight Talk debate. I would be honored to have your vote tomorrow. Thank you.
We've been getting a lot of inquiries in response to the false attacks and coordinated disinformation campaign from our opponent, so I'd like to set the record straight today. 1/3
We all know how pressing the homelessness crisis is in Portland. In today's interview clip, Rene Gonzalez addresses how he would solve that issue. This segment was long, so the entire segment (and the full interview) can be found on our YT channel.
Commissioner Mingus Mapps understands the need for real partnerships and collaboration in order to solve the most pressing issues of our time. We are honored to have his support for our campaign and look forward to working closely with him.
Left to its own devices, bureaucracy begets bureaucracy.
$23.9 million total ongoing cost of proposed org chart from CAO in addition to one-time costs of remodel & voting system.
@tedwheeler
time to reign it in. This proposal should have been dead on arrival given urgent needs
So appreciative of support out of the gate:
In first 2 days of launch we surpasses what other mayoral candidates have raised in small donor program - all year, combined.
Thank you Portland! Lots of
work ahead though.
Our release on Jo Ann Hardesty's unhelpful rhetoric on charter reform. Reasonable minds can disagree on current proposal, but we need to create space for open discussion of such an important issue.
Looks like this guy has had some practice!
That is theft and trespass, undemocratic, and not nice to the growing grass. We're getting a record number of sign replacement requests. Some folks are asking for their 2nd or 3rd replacement! Good thing we have plenty of signs.
Bipartisan Rodel Institute this weekend to reflect on our democracy with electeds from across the county. Deep conversations on challenges facing leaders of US cities. Pictured with mayors in Arizona and Illinois and San Francisco City Attorney. Not pictured but facilitated a
For the 2nd time in the few months we have been downtown our office has been vandalized. This follows a weekend theft of office computer and a/v equipment. Every one is ok - standing strong with our city; working for a safer and cleaner one.
Thank you to hosts Erik and Andres who opened their home and invited friends and neighbors to learn about Rene's vision for Portland.
Want to host an event and introduce your friends and neighbors to Rene? Email campaign
@reneforportland
.com and let us know.
GONZALEZ CALLS ON HARDESTY TO GET BEHIND WHEELER/RYAN PLAN
On Friday, Mayor Ted Wheeler outlined details of a plan he and Commissioner Ryan have put
forward to end unsanctioned camping and build three large sanctioned camping areas. See our full statement below.
A political establishment of weak leaders, loud extremists and a chorus of virtue signalers.
Time for a hard reset - not just for a better 2023; for a better 20 years.
The rose-colored glasses have come off – Portlanders aren't happy with Portland. A survey shows only 8% of voters feel Portland is headed in the right direction. What will it mean for this year's election? Story by
@dirquez
:
No
@tedwheeler
,
@CommissionerRG
was elected on same night charter reform passed with a clear mandate to work to protect & restore Portland.
What was fired on that night was flaccid & ineffective governance.
Time to lead, not to cower.
Such a great event today hearing from and speaking to concerned Portlanders from around the Pearl District. Their desire for change was palpable and undeniable.
If you feel the same way, we need your help. Head to to contribute and get involved.
For too long, Oregon has enabled self-destructive behavior and failed to build the behavioral health system necessary to heal/prevent.
The state has also failed to hold accountable drug dealers who prey on addiction while creating an environment that simultaneously attracts
Breon has seen first-hand the decline of our downtown and understands the need for change better than most. We're honored to have him in our coalition.
As the owner of a local insurance company and black business leader, Cedric understands the urgency necessary to turn Portland around. We're so glad to have his support.
As the former head of HR for the city of Portland, Serilda understands leadership potential better than nearly anyone in our city, so her endorsement means the world to us.
This campaign has many LGBTQ supporters and together we will stand firm against structural racism and systemic oppression of historically marginalized groups, both now and while in office. 3/3
As temperature rises and violent crime with it, we get a daily reminder: there are not enough police on Portland streets; our criminal justice system suffers from years of under investment & blind ideology; & city bears brunt of weak state systems for addiction/mental illness.
Dems need to lead here. State is responsible for providing a functioning behavioral health system & removing barriers to local safety, use of sidewalks, & clean cities. HB3115 is a barrier and hurts Democratic Portland badly.
Portland is the only city my children have called home.
I think about theirs - as well as their mother’s & grandmothers’ safety - every day. Looking to restore & protect a city they will want to live in as adults; a city that they will be safe in.
For those of us who fought for school openings, results in Virginia & NJ = unsurprising: VA,NJ & OR failed to center children in decision-making with devastating effects. As an urban Dem - thank god for what happened tonight in Minneapolis. Police accountability doesn't=defund.
ENDORSEMENT ALERT: Serilda Summers-McGee, fmr Chief Human Resources Officer of City of Portland Endorses Rene Gonzalez
"I am endorsing Rene because we need change, we need hope, and we need people willing to partner with ALL stakeholders to get our City on track. That's Rene.”
Some large national news this morning, over which Portlanders have zero control. Would be great for Portland's/Oregon's leaders to stay focused on our city's problems/opportunities for once; support & improve our own judicial system; & avoid adding flames to the fire.
Joyous: Got to bike and play soccer with the kiddos this morning.
Somber: Working cooling station in East Portland this evening. Need more shelter & services in the east.
I am pro-choice & support gay marriage.
Our city faces substantial challenges in crime, homelessness, & addiction; we need real focus on these issues.
But as necessary in PDX, I will protect women's reproductive rights & consenting adults’ rights to marry whomever they love.
Jo Ann is confused. Gave to a neighborhood friend, Winred processed. She also skipped my state level spend/donations to Oregon Ds.
Lets talk about neighbors: mine look to be voting for me; given trends in east, hers also look to be voting for me.
Our opponent's only federal political contribution on public record in 2021 was to the Republican PAC WinRed.
It matters who you surround yourself with, who you support, and who supports you.
A nuanced role like City Commissioner demands a wide variety of different professional experiences. In today's interview clip, Rene speaks to how his background has prepared him to be Portland's next City Commissioner.
Here is a link to video from the
@wweek
in their interview with my opponent and I recently. Our approaches to crime in this city couldn't be more different.
Thank you President
@JoeBiden
for your leadership and decency. It is time for Democrats to unite behind
@KamalaHarris
to defeat Donald Trump. Portland's darkest days in 2020 were under a Trump presidency; Portland's and other U.S. cities' futures are dependent on a different path
Thank you Teamsters for your endorsement! With a 100 year history in region, today its reps 20,000 hardworking men/women in warehouse, freight, bakery, laundry, food processing, dairy, airline, waste/sanitation, construction, grocery & public services.
Attended Fall BMP this afternoon, virtually, as part of transition.
Want to air appreciation to all well wishers &
@PortlandPolice
for stopping election night direct action again office. There were many guests, including children/seniors.
#protectingcity
#hopeforpdx
It was an honor to be able to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Lincoln high school. I was proud to fight for our city's children and their education in the face of unprecedented obstacles and will continue to do so as your next Commissioner.
We have a pandemic of violence, depression and drug addiction and proposal to drop extracurricular activities - until strip joints and bars are closed, leave the kids alone.
It's an honor to have the endorsement of the editorial board of
@theoregonian
. They're right: no one should have patience for what Portland has become. The need for change is critical, and we ask for your vote to make that change happen.
I couldn't find the article online, but here are a few snippets. My father is the epitome of the American dream & a true success story. He taught me the importance of integrity in public service, a lesson that I have never and will never forget.
#NationalHispanicHeritageMonth
Our faith-based communities are an integral part of the fabric of Portland, and we're honored to have the support of one of its leaders. Thanks Pastor Corey!
We are honored to announce yet another local labor endorsement: the Columbia Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council.
It is vital to Portland's future to prioritize family-wage jobs & apprenticeship programs that provide a pathway to family-wage careers for local youth.
Like many Oregonians, I was hopeful M110 would offer a positive evolution in confronting addiction. Execution has been an unmitigated disaster. Authors also omitted mandating treatment, a key component of Portugal model. Portland suffers as a result.
In Portland the political establishment takes time to criticize a jury decision across the country, but will not commit to protect the free press or property in its own downtown.
This was honestly hard for me to watch. Too many of us have been targeted for doing our jobs. We are journalists documenting important events. This is not okay.
Old Town:
1. Untreated addiction/mental illness everywhere.
2. Multiple homicides/ODs monthly.
3. Sex & drug trafficking.
4. Advocates who fight clean-ups & stories of shaking down bus owners that support.
5. Non-profits/businesses under siege.
6. Jo Ann visits to - fundraise.
We are quite pleased to have the Portland Tribune's editorial board endorsement, and we especially liked this quote. The role of commissioner demands a diverse skill set, and we were happy to see that they see the value we can bring to the role.
2. Police in preventing further office vandalism & traffic disruption downtown on election night.
Perps were unaware of scheduled party, w/ many attendees, including children & seniors. Vandalism would have been dangerous. Thank you for keeping us safe.
#HopeforPDX
We're very proud to have the support of the Tunleys, who are fantastic local leaders who have worked hard to preserve the beauty of the Laurelhurst neighborhood. Thank you!
This is National Hispanic Heritage Month; my Hispanic lineage is important to our family identity and our children are being raised to celebrate all parts of their heritage.
All cultures have inherent beauty within them and should be celebrated.
A pic of my parents:
Portland Firefighters out in support of
@reneforportland
on our bridges this morning waving to Portland commuters on bikes, buses, & cars as well as yesterday out in East Portland with our fire truck. Public safety needs to be a priority. Vote Rene Gonzalez by November 8th!
Portland has been - and can be again - better than this.
A functioning criminal justice system is crucial.
So are:
-functioning ed, athletic, & arts institutions;
-economic opportunity; &
-walking/biking/playing & fulling embracing city life again.
#itallmatters
LOL, Jo Ann has been kissing major corporate/union rear-ends since primary; after years of her anti-business/police/neighborhood nonsense & bullying, can't blame them for saying no thanks.
She is now reverting to extremist revolution; hope we have a city left when it is done.