⬇️ How Portland will aim to keep shootings down

Candidate Faces Ethics Questions

Jessie Burke, a Multnomah County commissioner candidate, is facing questions over upwards of $40,000 awarded to her husband’s company by the nonprofit neighborhood association she leads. Burke, CEO of The Society Hotel, is board chair of the Old Town Community Association. The board gave her husband’s company several contracts — a move that is not illegal but frowned upon. Burke says she and her husband (who is also a board member) did not vote on the contracts. [Willamette Week]

• Related: Why this election could upend Multnomah County. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

$40M To Keep Port Open

The Port of Portland has reversed a decision to close its cargo container terminal after Gov. Tina Kotek came up with $40 million in funding. The new state funding will save some 1,500 jobs while the port works out a way to make the terminal financially sustainable after losing money for years. [Oregonian 🔒]

Dip in Shootings

Shootings in Portland have declined slightly: 280 so far this year — compared with 300 at this point last year. City Hall is working to keep the trend going — investing in more gun-violence reduction programs and extending the hours police officers patrol this summer. [KGW]

There are no competitive state Senate primaries in the area this year. But here are four Oregon House races where the outcomes in May are key.

🔎 Tip: You can look up your state legislative district (or consult your ballot).

House District 33 — Democratic Primary 🔵

This district on Portland’s west side elected Rep. Maxine Dexter, who is resigning at the end of this term and is running for U.S. Congress. This primray is a competitive race with endorsements split among the three Democrats in a district with seven times more Democrats than Republicans.

🗳️ Who’s on the Ballot

• Brian Duty, doctor
• Pete Gabriel, environmental lawyer
• Shannon Jones Isadore, behavioral health clinic CEO

📖 Read Up on the Candidates With:

• Guide to the race [Oregon Capital Chronicle]
• A rundown on the race [Oregonian]

House District 40 — Republican Primary 🔴

In this Clackamas County district, the Democratic incumbent won two years ago by fewer than 200 votes. That means whoever wins has a real shot in November.

🗳️ Who’s on the Ballot

• Sue Leslie, small business owner and former aide in the legislature
• Michael Newgard, Clackamas County Clerk’s Office management analyst and Oregon National Guard helicopter pilot

House District 46 — Democratic Primary 🔵

This eastside Portland district is heavily Democratic, and no Republicans are running. The winner of this primary is all but certain to replace Rep. Khanh Pham, who is running for the Oregon Senate this year.

🗳️ Who’s on the Ballot

• Willy Chotzen, public defender
• Mary Lou Hennrich, a retired health care executive

📖 Read Up on the Candidates With:

• Guide to the race [Oregon Capital Chronicle]
• A rundown on the race [Oregonian]

House District 51 — Republican Primary 🔴

Former House Minority Leader Christine Drazan resigned her seat in 2022 to run for governor. She’s taken the unusual step of challenging the current incumbent to represent this Clackamas County district. (Hieb was arrested at the Clackamas County Fair in 2022.)

🗳️ Who’s on the Ballot

• Christine Drazan, former House minority leader
• James Hieb, child care business owner

📖 Read Up on the Candidates With:

• Guide to the race [Oregon Capital Chronicle]
• A rundown on the race [Oregonian]

Getting the Most Out of Farmers Market Season

In the peak season, there are 40 farmers markets in the Portland area every week. Molly Notarianni, the former executive director of the Oregon Farmers Market Fund (and sister of the City Cast Portland podcast’s executive producer John Notarianni), has insider tips on how to get the most out of this farmers market season.