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Print edition · Portland City Council · November 3, 2026

Multnomah County Auditor

1 candidates · Ranked choice · one seat · Research reviewed September 18, 2026 · Lines edition 2026-09-19.1

Official list checked. Candidates appear alphabetically by displayed name and receive the same structure. We do not endorse, rank or score.

Back to the Auditor list

The choice in one paragraph

Our reading

One candidate appears on the county’s checked filing list. An uncontested race still deserves a look at what the office would audit first, how fast reports would arrive and how open recommendations would be tracked.

Draft; human review pending.

Key

Said
A campaign statement, in our summary or their words.
Voted
A recorded Council roll call.
Not found
Not in the sources we reviewed. A research gap, not a position.
Yes No
The vote as the word, never as color alone.
Absent
Missed that roll call.
Not on committee
Had no vote in that committee.

Every candidate, A–Z

NameRoleSummaryRent and homesCamps, crime and who respondsYour bills and taxesStreets, buses and air
Nicole PextonChief audit executiveProposes shorter, more focused audits and a public report card on recommendations.not found in the sources we reviewednot found in the sources we reviewedProposes quicker, shorter audits and a public report card of open recommendations.not found in the sources we reviewed

Summaries are our one-line readings of what each candidate says. Issue lines are short forms of the positions in each brief, AI-drafted and awaiting human review; “—” means not found in the sources we reviewed.

Four votes that split this Council

No candidate in this race sits on Council today.

Not foundNo featured votes are selected for this race yet.

Candidate briefs, A–Z

Nicole Pexton

Auditor candidate · Multnomah County · November 3, 2026

Nicole Pexton

Government performance auditor and chief audit executive.

Photo: Candidate-submitted photo · 2026 Multnomah voters’ pamphlet

In their words

Said: Growing up in East County, I realized I am a problem solver with a strong passion for improving government.

Pamphlet p. 38

Candidate statement · November 2026 edition; extracted September 21, 2026

Multnomah County voters’ pamphlet · PDF page 38 ↗

Verbatim opening of the candidate's own statement; publication by the county does not verify the claims. The heading “Proven Problem Solver and Audit Leader” is skipped.

The verbatim opening of their voters’ pamphlet statement, the same rule for every candidate. We chose nothing.

What they say they would do

Our summary of their platform, in our words

Proposes shorter, more focused audits and a public report card on recommendations.

  • Shorten audit timelines and broaden coverage.
  • Publish what was audited and which recommendations remain open.
  • Explore early advisory work to identify problems sooner.

Our reading

Our interpretation, not their words
  • Quicker audits
  • Public report card

Speed and breadth trade against depth; her advisory service would help departments early but needs safeguards so auditors never review their own advice.

Multnomah County voters’ pamphlet · PDF page 38 ↗Pexton · campaign home ↗Pexton · about and priorities ↗

Where they stand

Homelessness and housing

Not foundNot found in the sources we reviewed. That is a research gap, not a position.

Crisis care, jail and deflection

Not foundNot found in the sources we reviewed. That is a research gap, not a position.

Taxes and the budget gap

Audit report card
What
Said: Residents should see results and know their tax dollars are well spent: quicker audits with shorter reports that target key risks, and a public report card showing what was audited, what the results were and which recommendations remain outstanding.
How
Said: Advisory services that county departments can request from the auditors, developed alongside the audit program, so problems are caught early.
Measured by
Not in their sources

Roads, bridges and air

Not foundNot found in the sources we reviewed. That is a research gap, not a position.

The choices this office faces

Every candidate in this race is asked the same 4 questions. Nicole Pexton is on record on 0, with 4 still open. A question without an answer is a research gap, not a position.

No answer we could find

  • Tighter contract monitoring and outside audits of the Homeless Services Department after Sunstone Way?

    Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.

  • Back extending Metro's homeless-services tax past 2030 at a lower rate, with tighter spending rules?

    Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.

  • Keep delaying the Preschool for All tax increase, now set for 2028?

    Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.

  • Close the county's structural budget gap by cutting administration before services?

    Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.

Compare every candidate

A question the evidence leaves open

How would you preserve independence when advising programs you may later audit?

Sources (3)

  1. Multnomah County voters’ pamphlet · PDF page 38Candidate statement · November 2026 edition; reviewed September 18, 2026Written by the candidate or campaign. Publication by the county does not verify the claims.
  2. Pexton · campaign homeCandidate statement · Website reviewed September 21, 2026Campaign position. Claimed results and numerical premises have not automatically been independently verified.
  3. Pexton · about and prioritiesCandidate statement · Website reviewed September 21, 2026Campaign position. Claimed results and numerical premises have not automatically been independently verified.