Keith Wilson Leads in Preliminary Results for Portland Mayor Race

In the highly contested race for Portland mayor, CEO of a trucking company Keith Wilson is currently leading in the preliminary ranked-choice voting results, according to unofficial counts released by Multnomah County on Tuesday night. Wilson emerged with 63% of the vote after 19 rounds of tabulation, with City Commissioner Carmen Rubio trailing behind at 37%.

The Portland mayoral election saw nearly 20 candidates vying for the position, and for the first time, voters were able to rank their top six candidates by preference. The ranked-choice voting system involves eliminating candidates with the fewest votes and transferring their votes to the next preferred candidate until one candidate achieves more than 50% of the total votes.

Wilson, who is also the founder of the nonprofit Shelter Portland, has campaigned on addressing the homeless issue and quickly getting people off the streets. He expressed optimism about his chances, stating that he and his team have already prepared a roadmap for the first few days in office if he wins.

City Commissioner Carmen Rubio, another strong contender, emphasized the importance of diverse voices being heard in Portland’s governance. She highlighted the need for inclusivity, representing various groups including working people, women, people of color, and other marginalized communities.

City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, who positioned himself as the law-and-order candidate, also remained hopeful before the voting deadline. He focused on public safety and livability, promising to enforce the city’s camping ban and create a thriving environment for families and businesses.

It is crucial to note that these results are preliminary, and the final outcome will be determined after all votes are processed and counted. Multnomah County plans to release the next batch of ranked-choice voting results on Wednesday at 6 p.m., with official certification of results scheduled for December 2.