There was a lot of talent in this race - one might say too much talent and perhaps this kind of leadership could be better utilized in some other way than competing against each other.

I can't tell if this is an argument for or against the voter-owned elections process.

I just hope the council in its future form will not be as fractious as I'm envisioning it. Play well together, people!

It should be Charles Lewis! He is the best person in the race for the working class and children. He will continue Erik Sten's legacy on homelessness and affordable housing in Portland. And he is willing to defend Portland against Stephen Colbert with the thing he fears most: bears!

This race totally flew under the radar. Fritz won based on name recognition she gained having run before. Being that this is the only city-wide race left on the ballot the media attention will be focused on these two. My money is on the young, energetic, media saavy Lewis to pull off the upset.

I totally disagree this race was under the radar. True it did nit generate the exposure the Mayor’s race did, but there were neighborhood debates and candidate fares, and plenty of information mailed and in the voters guide for voters to make an informed decision. It is also true that Amanda had the name recognition, however she also had a message the resonated with voters.

There has been a lot of recluse spending at City Hall lately particularly in the for transportation projects from an unnecessary bridge relocation for the affluent Pearl District to couplets to snail rail trolleys. And then there is the budget busting tram. Amanda’s basic message was simple: supply basic services to all neighborhoods first. Some of the other candidates were one issue candidates or backing big spending programs.

With the economy in a recession, taxes being increased at an alarming rate, and people paying more for energy, food and transportation; Amanda’s message to reign in City Council spending was right on target with voters.

It wasn't just her name recognition, I have spoken to a number of women who voted for her because she was the only woman running for city council.

Fritz is a longtime communiy activist. I was in a throw-the-bums-out mood as far as city council was concerned, and thus looking for folks not already burrowed into government who would perpetuate the cronyism and writing of blank checks for screwball projects. Fritz certainly met this criterion. Katy's point is also well taken. All told, there were multiple reasons to vote for Fritz.

Terry- I believe your comment proves my point. The two candidates who made it to the run-off in this race had similar back to basics messages. Lewis' was a little more specific with regards to street maintenance and affordable housing. If voters weren't looking for a candidate who backs "big spender programs" how do you explain Sam's victory?

The Nick Fish won overwhelmingly in the other council race further illustrates that having a familiar name helped on a ballot with so many competitive races.

During a recession is exactly the wrong time to cut back on public projects. The further removal of economic stimulus will just make things that much worse.

As soon as I posted my comment I realized I hadn't written that I also think she won big because she was a great candidate, ran a good campaign & had, by far, the best talent at Candidate's Gone Wild. There, now I feel much better.

I was kind of hoping someone would contradict my concern about the next council...

James, I can envision a reasonably cohesive council. I'm seeing tension on ONI, budget, and a couple other areas. However, I think most of the candidates share a fairly similar value system. Why are you more concerned about the chemistry of this council than of the one that is dissolving? Or is it that you're tired of squabbling on the current one and don't want it on the new one?

Anyway, a bit of disagreement is quite healthy, and we've got what we've got, so I'm not gonna' sweat your concern, even though it may be valid.

Well, Potter will be gone, William, so that's reassuring, but there are also rumors as to the agendas and personalities of incoming and potentially incoming commissioners that makes me wonder what the future holds. As the Tribune wrote today, "A radical overhaul of the balance of power at Portland's City Hall was not on the May ballot. That, however, is exactly what voters achieved." I'm just not sure if they wanted that, or if they just picked the names they were familiar with.

The Trib' article didn't exactly articulate "a radical overhaul" very well. I mean, two new faces. Like when Potter and Adams replaced Katz and Francesconi (sp?). That alone isn't a bad thing. Heck, I LOVED the change when Adams and Potter came in. There was some tension, but they did some great things that I don't think would have happened with Katz and Francesconi. Like withdrawal from the JTTF for one. Or curbing the PBA influence.

I'll grant that the VOE thing concerns me, and that's a big change if it happens, BUT it was intended to go to the voters no matter who was on the council. When that happens, is adding one more large voice really going to do VOE in? Maybe, but quite possibly not. We had some damned good candidates running on VOE this time around.

The whole PBA/Fish thing? From all I've heard, he's pro-small business--not corporate greed. I'd be surprised (in the next few years) if PBA's negative influence were allowed to again swell to what it was 5 years ago.

Oh yeah, and I think you're right about the name recognition, but that the folks who won did it by such a landslide that I think the victories aren't all about that. Adams would've probably had to do a runoff (but I prefer him to Dozono so thank goodness for name recognition), and so perhaps would have Fish (but he's not a bad candidate), and Fritz still probably would be competing in the general election. Disagree?

I guess I'm asking what huge plausible changes you're concerned about.

Interesting that this was the same story with the Candidates Gone Wild online voting!

That is, a virtual tie with everyone else (other than Amanda).

CGW: The Great Prognosticator.

Well, personally, I liked the results of the Adams-Leonard-Sten majority, but Adams and Leonard will now be a minority. From what I've read, neither Fish nor Fritz seem expected to give them many majority votes, but maybe I've just misinterpreted things. I'm loathe to see another mayor with a three-person majority voting against them again, and I don't know how likely that is to happen.

I, too, liked the Adams-Leonard-Sten majority. I do know that both Fish and Fritz have spine, so if they disagree with the the Adams-Leonard camp, we'd have the big changes we wouldn't like. The council still has a progressive feel to me, so I'm hoping Portland still moves forward. I do think Chris Lowe highlighted some interesting possibilities about shifting coalitions. Don't know where Fritz stands on public power, but her web site does have a photo of her and Dennis Kucinich, so... she probably supports it?!? :)