A lot of political changes are coming to Portland, Oregon.
The open mayoral race in the state's most populous city features 19 candidates - all vying to lead after years of growing frustration over homeless encampments . Among them three City Council members, including one ensnared in a driving record scandal a stripper and a trucking company CEO vowing to end unsheltered homelessness in 12 months.
The race was thrown open when Mayor Ted Wheeler decided against seeking reelection after holding the city's top post since 2017. Wheeler rose to national prominence in 2020 as nightly protests erupted on Portland streets and around the country in response to the the police killing of George Floyd .
Whoever wins the mayoral seat will oversee a completely new system of government . Portland is expanding its City Council from five to 12 members, who will be elected by voters in individual districts rather than citywide, and adding a city manager position. And all the candidates - including the nearly 100 running for the new council seats - will be elected by ranked-choice voting for the first time.
Changing Portland's charter had been on the ballot before, but failed until voters approved the overhaul in 2022. The most recent charter review kicked off amid the 2020 protests and a nationwide reckoning with racism that prompted conversations about making government more accountable and equitable.
