Portland Mayor Tom Potter Won't Seek Re-Election in 2008

In all honesty, my kids are thrilled I’m not running again, because it means their children will once again have a full-time grandfather around Potter said.

Photo courtesy: City of Portland

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - Portland Mayor Tom Potter on Monday announced at a press event that he will not seek reelection as Mayor of Portland in 2008.

The following remarks are from the Mayor's speech:

"Today I am announcing that I will not be a candidate for Mayor of Portland in 2008.

"It has been almost exactly 4 years since I first told Portlanders of my desire to run for office. I said then that we needed to make City Hall a more welcoming place for everyone; to build safer neighborhoods; to bring more transparency to how the people’s business is conducted, and to give Portlanders the opportunity to determine the future of their city.

"I believed then and I believe now that what makes Portland great is its people.

"In virtually everything I have done, my goal first and foremost has been to build the human capital of our city, to invest in its people, not simply its physical structures. I have heard that Mayors are most often remembered for what they build, but I believe there’s more to it than that - much more."

You can let the Mayor know what you think about his decision by emailing mayorpotter@ci.portland.or.us or leaving a message at 503-823-4127.

Mayor Potters Full Remarks:

Today I am announcing that I will not be a candidate for Mayor of Portland in 2008.

It has been almost exactly 4 years since I first told Portlanders of my desire to run for office. I said then that we needed to make City Hall a more welcoming place for everyone; to build safer neighborhoods; to bring more transparency to how the people’s business is conducted, and to give Portlanders the opportunity to determine the future of their city.

I believed then and I believe now that what makes Portland great is its people.

In virtually everything I have done, my goal first and foremost has been to build the human capital of our city, to invest in its people, not simply its physical structures. I have heard that Mayors are most often remembered for what they build, but I believe there’s more to it than that - much more.

Portland is a city that is changing rapidly - in its demographics, in its business sectors, and in how we see each other and define who we are as a community. Portlanders are coming together in ways we have never seen before.

People who have never spoken up before are not only talking together, but working together. New leaders are feeling empowered to step up and take on new roles and responsibilities. I am moved and thrilled by what is in our future, and the quality of leaders who will take us there.

While I have had the job, the doors to City Hall have been opened wider to all people, particularly those who have been marginalized in the past because of class or color.

I have spent the last two and one half years working with an amazing staff and people from every part of our community to create new avenues for solving problems and engaging more people in building a stronger, more inclusive community:

1. We are creating a Human Rights Commission, with the mission of knitting our increasingly diverse city together.

2. A racial profiling committee is already forging recommendations for how police and citizens can work together to eliminate mistrust and build relationships based on mutual respect.

3. Another group is tackling the barriers faced by immigrants and refugees in assimilating into our society.

4. The Mayor’s Office of Youth Violence Prevention is working to eliminate the reasons why young people get involved with gangs.

5. We are creating a Day Laborers Center to protect people while they wait for employment opportunities.

6. We are creating a Diversity and Civic Leadership Academy to strengthen the capacity of people to engage government in identifying and solving issues affecting them.

7. We are working with the Black Parent Initiative to empower families to play a stronger role in the education of their children.

8. We have expanded services to people with disabilities.

9. And, a Bill of Rights for Children and Youth was created by children and youth—the first of its kind. Now we are developing action plans to support them as they have told us they wish to be supported. As a result we hired youth to work in our Planning Bureau and at the Multnomah Youth Commission.

Within city government we have developed programs that increase cultural competency and improve customer service. We have developed Labor Management Committees in all city bureaus, increased Planning and Development coordination, and made the budget process more transparent, inclusive and accountable.

I am working to improve relationships with other Oregon cities by visiting them and working with them at the State and Federal level.

Under the leadership of PDC Chair Mark Rosenbaum and Executive Director Bruce Warner, the workings of the Portland Development Commission have become more open, and its goals more closely aligned with the community and the Council.

The community, Mayor’s Office and PDC are working to make Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. a powerhouse of owner occupied small businesses, owner occupied housing, and to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., by making MLK the best looking MLK in the United States.

The business communities of Portland have stepped forward to work with the city on providing drug treatment funding, homeless services, funding for schools, and supported charter changes to FPD&R, which in the long run will save taxpayers money and make the police more productive.

Dr. Pamplin has stepped forward to donate part of Ross Island to become part of our parks system nature reserves, and banks and realtors are working with non-profits and the City in closing the minority home ownership gap.

And I have asked Portlanders to dream about what kind of city they want for their children. I have been particularly touched by the thousands who have donated their time imagining and creating an intentional city encompassing the hopes and values of all Portlanders.

I am excited that on September 19th, the first concrete proposals growing out of vision PDX will come before the City Council, along with steps to integrate Portlanders’ vision into a long-term strategic direction for our city: The Portland Plan.

The Police Bureau, under the leadership of Chief Rosie Sizer, is working to develop effective relationships with all the communities of Portland.

They are making significant internal changes to increase accountability and productivity, are providing Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for all street officers and supervisors, and are developing a proposed regional public safety training center that will bring much needed training closer to home, saving time and money.

When I began my campaign 4 years ago, I said at that time that I was not a career politician, but simply a Portlander concerned about the future of the city he loves. My ambition then - and now - extended no further than the betterment of the people I have served in one capacity or another for almost 40 years.

No one is more aware of what an honor it is to serve as Portland's Mayor, and I look forward to serving all the people of Portland for the next 16 months. I will need that time, because there is still much to do. I will be focused on institutionalizing most of the projects I have initiated and providing transition plans for the rest.

I also want to make it easier for others to run for elected office. I will be working with the rest of council to establish City Hall 101, a series of classes to make the process less mysterious by helping candidates understand how City Hall works and the basics of establishing effective campaigns, including public financing.

I believe it is imperative for those of us holding office to find ways to make the process more inviting to women, minorities, gays, and young people so that our City Council reflects the diversity of the community we serve.

I want to thank my colleagues on the Council for what we have accomplished so far, and for collaborating in the months ahead. I think I am the luckiest person in the world because of the wonderful and committed staff I’ve had the privilege of working with each day. I want to thank the people of Portland for all you do each and everyday to make our city what it is today and what it will become tomorrow.

I want to thank my family, whose patience and understanding has been so very important to me over the past few years.

In all honesty, my kids are thrilled I’m not running again, because it means their children will once again have a full-time grandfather around.

I especially want to thank my wife, Karin, for being such a great support and idea person, but also my best friend and confidant. I couldn’t do this job without you, honey.

Finally, to the next generation of Portland leaders I commit to working with you in my remaining time as Mayor, and afterwards, to strengthen your abilities as leaders and help position you to lead Portland to a better future. Thank you.