City Club of Portland has broadcast the most prominent political debates in Oregon for more than 40 years. 2022 has been no exception. We kicked off spring with a primary debate series that covered races at the city, county, and state level. This fall, some of these candidates will return to the City Club stage to face their opponent once more. For others, the race ended in May. Click here for a recap of the Oregon May 17 primary results.
We'll also hear from representatives for and against ballot measures that our community will vote on in November. These will be posted as we finalize our speakers.
As a nonpartisan civic organization, our role in the public square is to expose people to perspectives and ideas that are different from their own, so they can better understand the world — and each other. We're proud to provide unbiased and balanced programming, and take great care to select independent moderators and questions from across the political spectrum. If you're curious about our selection process, you may download our policy below.
Schedule & Access Information
-
Friday, September 30, noon | Portland City Council | A debate between Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty and Rene Gonzalez | WATCH
-
Friday, October 14, noon | A debate on Portland Measure 26-228, Changes Portland's Government Structure and Process for Electing City Officials | WATCH
-
Wednesday, October 19, noon | Multnomah County Chair | A debate between Jessica Vega Pederson and Sharon Meieran | WATCH
-
Friday, October 21, 1:30pm | A debate on Oregon Measure 114, Changes to Firearm Ownership and Purchase Requirements Initiative | WATCH
Meet the Candidates & Campaigns
Portland City Council
Rene Gonzalez
Rene is working to bring Portland back together after the divisiveness that has plagued our city in recent years. As a father of three, he worked with families to find a solution to get our children safely back to school. Now, Rene wants to put his experience to work bringing people together to find practical, data-driven solutions to the problems of crime and homelessness. He has spent his entire professional career in Portland starting as a business lawyer at Stoel Rives, then in legal and corporate strategy leadership roles at KinderCare, and over the last decade owning his own law and technology firms. Throughout his professional career he has served a number of civic organizations, including the Portland Children’s Museum, the Library Foundation, and building Oregon’s largest youth soccer club, UPDX. Learn more at reneforportland.com.
Jo Ann Hardesty (Incumbent)
Jo Ann Hardesty is a veteran and civil rights leader whose compassionate vision brings Portland together. As the first Black woman elected to city council, Commissioner Hardesty championed the Portland Street Response, an alternative to burdening police with mental health response. She helped build the coalition that set the national standard for local climate action, and at the height of the George Floyd demonstrations, she crafted a police reform measure that 82% of voters approved. She is a former state representative serving North/Northeast Portland and former President of the Portland NAACP. Learn more at joannforportland.com.
Multnomah County Chair
Sharon Meieran
Sharon Meieran has been a Multnomah County Commissioner for the past five years, representing District 1 (Inner SE Portland and all of the county west of the Willamette). Sharon is a practicing emergency physician, a lawyer, a mom and an active member of our community. Sharon works directly with people in need, both in the ER and as a volunteer with Portland Street Medicine caring for those living outside without shelter. Learn more at votesharon.com.
Jessica Vega Pederson
A resident of East Portland, Jessica first ran for office ten years ago driven by a desire to make sure all people, no matter their zip code, have access to connected sidewalks, safe housing, and educational opportunities. She became the first Latina to serve in the Oregon House and serves as a Multnomah County Commissioner, where she's brought people together to deliver on the issues that matter most, including innovative housing solutions, climate action, protecting access to reproductive healthcare and delivering Preschool for All in Multnomah County. Learn more at jessicavegapederson.com.