April 25, 2003
Run, Earl, Run
Today's Portland Tribune continues the mystery of the 2004 mayoral race here in town:
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer sounds more and more like he wants to run for mayor next year, although he won’t make his decision until summer.
In a discussion this week with the Portland Tribune news staff, the Oregon Democrat said next year he will either run for mayor or seek a fifth term representing Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District.
But during a meeting that touched on a wide range of issues, he sounded increasingly wistful at the prospect of a job based in Portland and not Washington, D.C.
"Being on the Portland City Council is the best local government job in America," said Blumenauer, 54, who served on the council from 1986 to 1996. "Even in tough times. There are opportunities to do more here than you can do anyplace else."
Commissioenr Francesconi, of course, is running. Commissioner Sten, apparently, is still mulling it over. For my part, if Blumenauer runs, Sten should stay put this time around, since I suspect a good number of potential Sten supporters would also tend to be Blumenauer supporters, and I'd rather not see that vote split. Blumenauer as mayor, and Sten still on the Council, would be the best playout of the 2004 scenario.
Comments (2)
no one in particular on 25 Apr 2003
Actually, I'm fairly certain (though not 100%) that the mayor race turns into a runoff just like the Cruz/Leonard race did.
And I sorta suspect that Francesconi won't get a majority of the vote, even with a Blumenauer/Sten split.
But yeah, Blumenauer replacing Vera would be totally great. Better than Sten, IMO.
It's the bowtie, man!!
Noah@AllianceWatch on 26 Apr 2003
Blumenauer (my neighbor, coincidently) is the definately the best possible mayoral candidate I can imagine. I worry that he would be portrayed as a bit "wonky" by media/opponents/business, but I still think he has a great chance at winning if he runs. I like Sten (someone I ride the bus with occasionaly, coincidently) as well, however I would like to see him throw his support behind Blumenauer instead of running.
I think that "no one in particular"'s analogy to the Cruz/Leonard race may extend beyond just the run-off situation if Francesconi and Blumenauer were the lead candidates. You would have a candidate endorsed by and/or supporting the Portland Business Association (Francesconi/Leonard) running against a more progressive candidate (Blumenauer/Cruz).