Portland City Council Stalemate: No Second-Year President Elected After Eight Hours

The Portland City Council faced a significant stalemate on Wednesday regarding the election of the council president for the upcoming 2026 term. After nearly eight hours of discussions and nine rounds of voting, the council reached a tie vote of 6-6 on each attempt. The council has scheduled additional deliberations for Thursday to continue the election process.

Current Candidates

The race has been narrowed down to two candidates: current Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney and Councilor Sameer Kanal. Both candidates represent contrasting views within the council, with Pirtle-Guiney identifying more as a centrist and Kanal aligned with the progressive Peacock caucus.

Tension Between Councils

• Each voting round ended in a tie, with members voting along caucus lines.
• The progressive caucus supported Kanal, while the centrist councilors favored Pirtle-Guiney.
• As discussions unfolded, tensions escalated, leading to heated exchanges.

Key Concerns Raised

Throughout the day, council members expressed various concerns. Centrist councilors accused the Peacock caucus of groupthink, fearing a lack of neutrality in leadership. Councilor Steve Novick voiced strong reservations about electing a candidate from the Peacock group due to concerns over impartiality.

Additionally, Councilor Candace Avalos highlighted issues of power dynamics under Pirtle-Guiney’s leadership. She accused her of creating an environment that discouraged open dialogue among councilors. This sentiment was echoed by others during the session.

Vote Breakdown and Discussions

The voting process itself revealed the depth of the divide within the council. After each round, discussions grew more personal. While initial conversations were respectful, they gradually focused on each candidate’s character and competencies.

Concerns Over Race

Issues of race and representation emerged prominently in the latter parts of the discussions. After a particularly contentious vote, perceptions surrounding Kanal’s temperament and the dynamics of race within the council were scrutinized. Councilor Koyama Lane pointed to a pattern of behavior she believed demonstrated bias from Pirtle-Guiney towards councilors of color, amplifying the emotional stakes of the debate.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The council adjourned deliberations shortly after 4:40 p.m., with plans to reconvene on Thursday. As they prepare for another round of voting, the outcome remains uncertain, with deep-seated divisions likely to resurface.