Hardesty Tops Primary
HARDESTY TOPS PRIMARY
CONSERVATIVE AND DARK MONEY OPPONENTS TRAIL BADLY
MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons, Campaign Manager
joseph@joannforportland.com | 503-395-4345
PORTLAND, OR -- After Tuesday’s Primary Election, it appears likely that Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty will head to a runoff election in November. She is currently leading the eleven candidates with almost 40% of the vote, nearly 15% ahead of her more conservative opponents including one who is backed by hundreds of thousands of dollars in outside spending.
Hardesty, elected in 2018 with over 62% support, was the first candidate to qualify and max out the Portland Small Donor Election in 2022. She led a strong grassroots campaign that engaged thousands of Portlanders for the future of our city.
Commissioner Hardesty ran on her record of substantive, impactful changes that drew widespread praise, including Portland Street Response, police accountability, and urgently addressing the housing crisis. Her proven accomplishments earned endorsements from hundreds of everyday Portlanders, leading organizations, newspapers, and elected officials including SEIU, The Willamette Week, and US Senator Jeff Merkley.
On Tuesday evening, after election polls closed at 8 PM, Hardesty addressed supporters and volunteers at the Redwood Cafe off 82nd Avenue. Hardesty pointed toward her campaign’s early, disciplined and successful community organizing and expressed gratitude to the over 350 volunteers who made personal contact with thousands of Portland voters.
“I am proud of our collective effort that went above and beyond,” Hardesty said, adding, “we have accomplished so much for Portland over the last three years, fulfilling our promises to create Portland Street Response, hold police accountable, and bring more access and equity to how we work as a city. We took on the status quo and wealthy power brokers and made real changes.”
“We are the only campaign who raised more than 1,800 contributions and reached out to over 145,000 voters through direct door-to-door, phone calls and texts. No other campaign can say they’ve done what we have in this election.”
Hardesty said, “We must all work together towards that future we envision for Portland. We can make this city a place where everyone is able to thrive, not just survive.”
