Chief Reese Calls Possible Mayoral Campaign "Daunting," Says He Was "Surprised" News of His Intentions Leaked Out

Portland Mercury:

illustration by Kurt McRobertI finally caught up with Chief Mike Reese in person today, outside City Hall as he headed upstairs to meet with the boss, Mayor Sam Adams, he may decide he wants to replace. Reese said he was "surprised" when WW announced late last night he was definitely running—he says that's maybe weeks away. But he wasn't as definitive about that as he was in his interview with the Oregonian. "I need to talk to more people," Reese said, still in a suit, and not in uniform. "I also need to have a heart-to-heart conversation with my wife. We were both surprised" that the news of his interest leaked out. Reese still won't say who approached him to run—"I'll let them identify themselves if they choose to"—although presumably they're would-be campaign donors who haven't fallen in love with either Eileen Brady, Charlie Hales, or Jefferson Smith. The "unique opportunity" Reese mentions—Adams stepping down after one term—also has to include Portland Business Alliance poll results that show more voters willing to vote for "anyone else, please," than either of the current three. Reese repeated his standard lines of the day, including that Portland needs a "strong, experienced leader" and that he's proven himself as leader of a "complex and large organization with a large budget." He says he's "humbled" to have the job he has, police chief, but that it's been hard to ignore the pleas when "people I respect ask me to run for mayor." [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

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