Oregon Candidates Outline 2026 Priorities

KATU’s 2026 candidate interviews cover races across Oregon, including U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter’s reelection bid focused on affordability, healthcare, inequality and trust in government, and Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fai’s run for chair, centered on living costs, small businesses, housing, utilities and immigrant communities. In Portland City Council District 4, incumbent Eric Zimmerman cites efforts to address downtown disorder, cleanup and treatment; Mitch Green emphasizes affordability and strengthening the city’s new government structure; John McDonald prioritizes business investment and jobs; Josh Leake highlights drug use and homelessness; and TJ Anderson draws on his experience of homelessness to criticize the council’s response. In District 3, Terry Parker calls for compromise, public-safety funding and infrastructure maintenance, while incumbent Steve Novick emphasizes efficient spending, alternative welfare-check responses, climate-related investments and reducing property crime. In Astoria, Ward 3 incumbent Elisabeth Adams is seeking another term, citing community-building, local roots and experience as a council member and downtown business owner; Councilor Andy Davis is running for mayor, with priorities including infrastructure and housing.