Priorities

The homelessness crisis in Portland demands urgent action. My main focus will be to ensure we have enough shelter beds so that no one has to sleep on the streets. But it's not just about immediate solutions; we need a long-term plan.

To truly address the homelessness crisis, we need to make more housing available and make it easier to build both shelters and affordable homes. This means looking at our zoning laws and other rules that make it hard to build the housing we need.

We'll use proven strategies that help keep people in their homes, like helping with rent in emergencies and turning buildings that aren't being used into places people can live temporarily. These steps are crucial for helping our neighbors without homes right now and for preventing homelessness in the future.

Our goal is to make sure our policies on housing, land use, and homelessness work together. Through a comprehensive lens, we can address this crisis now and also create a more secure future for everyone in our city.

As a public defender, I've witnessed the disparities and injustices within our criminal justice system and their profound effects on people's lives and dignity. Comprehensive reform is essential to restoring fairness and equity, ensuring that our legal system protects and serves all community members without bias.

Equally crucial is our commitment to improving community safety, emergency response times and services. Delays in emergency response can critically impact outcomes in times of crisis. Every resident deserves to have quick and reliable access to emergency services, a fundamental aspect of public safety and community trust.

To foster a safer, more equitable, and resilient Portland, I am dedicated to a comprehensive and balanced approach to community safety. This includes not only addressing systemic issues within our criminal justice system but also enhancing our emergency services infrastructure to ensure efficiency and reliability for all Portlanders.

Together, we can work towards a community where safety, justice, and support are accessible to everyone, reinforcing the strength and unity of our city.

Our city faces infrastructure challenges that demand attention, from improving roads and public transportation system to addressing the pressing threats posed by climate change. I want to focus on projects that enhance our climate-resilience, such as exploring the feasibility of burying power lines, investing in roads that are prepared for winter conditions, and implementing strategies to protect Portland from the risks of wildfires and smoke during our increasingly hot, dry summers.

As an avid cyclist who has always preferred biking both for work and leisure, I've experienced firsthand the growing challenges in navigating Portland on two wheels. Our city deserves a transportation system that truly supports alternative modes of travel, making cycling a safer, more accessible option for everyone. We'll work on major upgrades to our infrastructure, like adding more bike lanes and connecting them better throughout the city.

Making sure pedestrians are safe and bolstering public transportation is key to our plans too. We're committed to creating a city where walking is not only convenient but safe for all Portlanders, with better crosswalks, measures to slow down traffic, and designs that put people first. These steps will help Portland embrace sustainable and active transportation, reflecting our dedication to the well-being of our community and the planet.