Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler won’t seek reelection

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has announced he won’t seek a third term as mayor.

Wheeler was first elected in 2016, followed by re-election in 2020. Prior to serving as mayor, Wheeler was Oregon State Treasurer from 2010 to 2016.

He delivered the news in a letter addressed to Portlanders Wednesday afternoon.

“Addressing our city’s critical challenges while, at the same, time, fundamentally re-shaping city government requires all of my attention over the next 15 months,” Wheeler said in a release Wednesday. “As such, I will not be seeking another term as your Mayor.”

Wheeler also highlighted moments from the last seven years including the development of the Focused Intervention Team, the City’s comprehensive homeless Temporary Alternative Shelter Sites, the Street Services Coordination Center, the Public Environmental Management Office, and the coordinated ‘90 Day Reset’ strategy.

“Hopefully, we get somebody here who gets rid of messes. Gets Portland back to where it was,” Ashton Clark, who lives in Portland, said.

Others said they’re looking forward to a fresh perspective to help address the critical issues plaguing the city.

“A fresh switch-up is always a good chance for people to be inspired to consider what they want to see in the city,” Afton Brooks, who lives in Portland, said.

Mayor Wheeler acknowledged what he called the “unprecedented number of simultaneous challenges” that his administration faced over the last seven years – including homelessness, public safety, and economic recovery.

One of the reasons he said he’s announcing this now is that for some who may decide to run, their decision – in part – may be impacted by his decision.

So far, the city elections office said to their knowledge, the only candidate who has publicly announced running for Mayor in 2024 is Commissioner Mingus Mapps.

Commissioner Mapps sent this statement reacting to the news saying, “Mayor Wheeler has been a dedicated public servant and has led Portland through a challenging time. He has made great sacrifices in his service to our city. I have enjoyed working with him on the city council and consider him a friend.”

Mayor Wheeler also reaffirmed his commitment to his current role and to the city over the next 15 months. He said serving as Portland’s mayor has been “humbling and the greatest privilege” of his life.

Tune in Thursday morning on KPTV.com at 10:15 a.m., we will be streaming Mayor Wheeler’s press event as he outlines his priorities for the upcoming year.

More information will be added to this story as it becomes available.