With a pivotal election at stake for the city of Portland, Willamette University will host a debate between Portland mayoral candidates Rene Gonzalez, Mingus Mapps, Carmen Rubio, Keith Wilson, and Viva Las Vegas in partnership with KATU News. The debate will take place on Thursday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m. at Willamette’s Pacific Northwest College of Art, 511 NW Broadway, located at the juncture of Portland’s Old Town and Pearl Districts.
The debate comes as the City of Portland undergoes a historic transformation in city government. In 2022, voters approved a measure to restructure the city government from a commissioner to a mayor-council form of government. In the Nov. 5 election, Portlanders will elect a mayor, auditor, and three councilors to represent their district using ranked-choice voting for the first time. Ranked-choice voting is a system where voters will have the option to rank candidates in order of preference instead of selecting only one candidate.
“For nearly two centuries, Willamette’s mission has been to educate leaders for civic society,” said Willamette University President Steve Thorsett. “We believe a healthy democracy depends on thoughtful and ethical leaders in government and on an informed electorate, so we are proud to be a part of this historic election for the city of Portland.”
The Portland mayoral debate will take place on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. and can be watched live on KATU (channel 2) or online at katu.com.
