Mayor 2012: Mike Reese considering a run for mayor?

Kari Chisholm FacebookTwitterWebsite

Mayor 2012: Mike Reese considering a run for mayor?

Willamette Week's Nigel Jaquiss is reporting that Portland Police Chief Mike Reese is considering a run for Mayor:

Three sources who have spoken directly with Reese about his plans tell WW that Reese has decided to seek to replace Mayor Sam Adams, the man who elevated him to the top police job last year. ...

Reese brings some significant assets to the race. Older voters and conservatives (yes, they do exist in Portland) are likely to support him. There are many members of the business community who have not yet found a candidate. And he's got a decent shot at the public employee union support that is crucial in Portland city races.

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    Full disclosure: My firm built Eileen Brady's campaign website. I speak only for myself.

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    I think Reese is pissed off about people being camped out in the two squares and wants to tap into whatever reactionary pissed offedness that there may be out there.

    Reminds of George Wallace's '68 campaign.

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    The O has Reese denying he's running:

    the chief told The Oregonian in an interview this week that he had no plans to run in 2012.

    When asked directly in an interview Monday afternoon if he planned to announce his candidacy for Portland mayor in the coming weeks, Reese, 54, said: "No, I like being chief of police. I'm very happy doing what I'm doing. I'm very humble to have the opportunity to serve."

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    If he runs, Charlie Hales is cooked. Even though Charlie would be a liberal elsewhere, he will be considered the most traditional candidate in the mix of three. If Reese gets in Reese and Charlie would compete for the more right portion of the Portland spectrum.

    Having said all that, Reese is not in a great position to run since we have a gang crime spree going on that he is not on top of, there are racial tensions with the police force today, and the police/fire pension issue is a potential hot issue. Doesn't leave a lot of room to talk about jobs. I suspect that Occupy Portland will not be camped out through February and will not likely be an issue when the voting ends in May.

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      Charlie Hales is not already cooked?

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      I'm assuming that your "mix of three" completely discounts the possibility that Jefferson Smith will have an impact on the results.

      "Having said all that" your second paragraph is right on point. I'd borrow money at very high interest to be sure that Tom Potter is the last Portland Police Chief elected mayor for as long as I live here.

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    Can we get Chief Kroeker to come back? I always liked his sense of discipline.

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    Who's next? Alfred E. Neuman??

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    maybe Sho is ready to campaign this time

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    Considering Reese's call to arms (batons, pepper spray at the ready) and his letter to Occupy Portland, I again would say that Reese's contemplation of candidacy is all about Occupy Portland.

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