Multnomah County · November 3, 2026

Portland City Council, County Chair

3
Candidates: 1
Seats: 6
Rank up to: Nov 3
Due 8 p.m.

Our readingDraft

All three criticize current county outcomes. The differences are in the remedy: one stresses service-system experience and collaboration, one implementation, contract accountability and tax relief, and one a more fundamental reset of how the county is managed.

3 candidates, A–Z. Tap any position to read the sentence, how they would deliver it, and the source.

13 more choices, below13 more choices

Where each candidate stands on four issues, in our short reading of their statements. Each position is a button; activate it to read the sentence, how they would deliver it, and the source. Candidates appear alphabetically.
Candidate	3 of 3 documented	3 of 3 documented	3 of 3 documented	1 of 3 documented
Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner	Homes	Safety	Money	Roads
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner	Homes	Safety	Money	Roads
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner	Homes	Safety	Money	Roads

What this office decides right now

What’s at stake

The chair proposes the county's $4 billion budget, hires every department head and runs the homeless, health and human-services systems. The next chair inherits shelter closures already in the budget, a city partnership that expires in 2027, a homeless-services tax that expires in 2030 and a shrinking General Fund.

Each of this office’s 13 live choices is a board below, with every candidate’s stated position or the gap.

Homeless-services cuts
The FY 2027 budget closed a $67 million Homeless Services gap by phasing out 605 adult shelter units and 90 family vouchers, leaving 1,667 county-funded units, and eliminated at least 158 positions countywide.
City-county agreement
The city-county homeless services agreement expires in July 2027 amid a dispute over $31 million the city owes the county and $38 million the city says it is owed; the county counted about 18,000 people homeless, 8,800 unsheltered, in early 2026.
Homeless-services tax
Metro's supportive housing tax sent the county $560 million from July 2021 to June 2025 and was forecast at $145.9 million for FY 2026, held back by weak Multnomah County employment; the tax expires in 2030.
Contractor oversight
A county fiscal review released June 2026 found shelter contractor Sunstone Way billed $3.6 million in unallowable costs from July 2024 to February 2026, $1.6 million of it recommended for recovery; the auditor had flagged $525,000 in overbilling by the same nonprofit in 2022 and says her monitoring recommendations were not followed.
General Fund gap
The Budget Office projected a $10.5 million General Fund shortfall for FY 2027, growing to $33.8 million by FY 2030 as downtown property values fall and personnel costs rise; each one-point pay increase costs $4.1 million.
Deflection results
In the deflection program's first year, September 2024 to August 2025, police made 606 referrals for 520 people and 113 completed deflection; 81% of the 354 people served at the center were homeless.
Preschool for All
Preschool for All reported a $610 million fund balance and 7,100 seats for 2026–27 against more than 6,000 applications; on August 20, 2026 the Board unanimously advanced a second one-year delay of the scheduled 0.8-point tax increase, to January 2028.
Ambulance plan due
The AMR contract ends in 2028 and a new Ambulance Service Plan is due for a Board vote in late 2026; the county pays no direct subsidy, 77% of patients are on Medicare or Medicaid, and staff call the funding model fragile.
Burnside Bridge cost
The Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge is now estimated at $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion, with about $740 million secured and only $7 million federal; in October 2025 the county pushed construction past 2028 with no new date.

Where they stand · thirteen more choices

Thirteen choices Multnomah County faces

One question at a time: every candidate’s answer, A–Z, with its source. Open all to see who has said nothing about what.

Shelter cutsClose shelter beds to keep people in housing as homeless-services money falls?3 of 3 on record

The FY 2027 budget, adopted 4–1 in June 2026, phases out 605 adult shelter units and 90 family vouchers so that about 9,000 formerly homeless people keep their rent assistance; the Homeless Services Department faced a $67 million gap.

Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner
Voted no on budget
What they did
Cast the lone no vote on the FY 2027 budget, saying it leaves too many gaps and will not reduce homelessness or deliver the change the community is asking for.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner
Voted for the budget
What they did
Voted for the FY 2027 budget and said she is proud that housing stability and placement out of shelter are now part of the county's commitment, while noting District 2's voices did not prevail on every vote.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner
No closures without plan
Said: What they said
Called the FY 2027 budget's closure of hundreds of shelter beds with no plan for the people affected a profound moral failure that will push costs onto emergency rooms, crisis services and jails.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.

City-county agreementRewrite the city-county homelessness agreement so one government runs shelters?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Julia Brim-Edwards

The agreement expires in July 2027. The city owes the county about $31 million a year, says the county owes it about $38 million for village shelters, and each government runs its own shelter system.

Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner
One shelter system
Said: What they said
Told OPB she wants an end to both governments running shelters and other programs, saying the plan was written without a budget or clear roles and has too much duplication.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner
Evaluate city-county merger
Said: What they said
Her turnaround plan would lay the groundwork and evaluate mechanisms for city-county consolidation to address redundancies from separate oversight and funding of overlapping functions.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.

Homeless-services taxBack extending Metro's homeless-services tax past 2030 at a lower rate, with tighter spending rules?3 of 3 on record

Metro's 1% tax on high incomes and business profits pays 61% of the county's homeless-services budget and expires in 2030. Metro shelved a 2025 draft that would have extended it to 2050 at 0.75% after polling 53% yes; the next chance is the 2028 ballot.

Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner
Wary of Metro's timing
Said: What they said
Told KATU in January 2025 she was really concerned about the timing of Metro's draft to extend and broaden the tax, saying the county spends it as taxpayers want; she has not said whether to extend it past 2030.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner
Let it build housing
Said: What they said
In January 2025 backed Metro's proposal to let the tax buy and build housing, saying it would spare the city and state from finding gap financing; she has not said whether to extend the tax past 2030.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner
Track every SHS dollar
Said: What they said
Her plan says the county got nearly $1 billion in Metro homeless-services tax money over four years with no way to tell where it went, and would redraft the SHS implementation plan; it does not address extending the tax.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.

Homeless Services oversightTighter contract monitoring and outside audits of the Homeless Services Department after Sunstone Way?3 of 3 on record

A county review found shelter contractor Sunstone Way billed $3.6 million in unallowable costs from July 2024 to February 2026, four years after an audit flagged $525,000 in overbilling by the same nonprofit; on April 9, 2026 the Board confirmed a new department director 3–2.

Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner
Heed the auditor
Said: What they said
Said after the Sunstone Way findings that the public and Commission should not have to rely on whistleblowers to expose misused taxpayer dollars, faulting the chair for not heeding the auditor's earlier warnings.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner
No on new director
Said: What they said
Voted no on confirming director Nathaniel VerGow on April 9, 2026, preferring to wait for the chair election, after proposing commissioner-led reviews of the department in 2025; she has not said whether outside audits should follow Sunstone Way.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner
Independent forensic review
Said: What they said
Would launch a public, independent performance and forensic review of county contracting on day one and adopt results-driven contracts, calling Sunstone Way a symptom of a system that spends first and asks questions later.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.

Deflection centerKeep and tighten the drug deflection center, or halt it?3 of 3 on record

In its first year police made 606 referrals and 113 people completed deflection; 81% of those served at the center were homeless. A February 2026 Board resolution added stricter 90-day completion rules, and 78 people were referred in the first quarter of 2026.

Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner
Keep it, tighten rules
What they did
Co-sponsored the February 26, 2026 resolution that keeps the center with stricter 90-day completion rules and housing links, saying deflection cannot be a revolving door back to the streets.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner
Link to housing, keep
What they did
Issued a November 2025 reform proposal tying the center to the by-name list, county sober shelters and outreach referrals, then co-sponsored the February 2026 resolution adopting stricter completion rules.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner
Halt current program
Said: What they said
Would halt the deflection program in its current form and replace the system that produced it, defining success by treatment completion and stable housing; says $20 million has not produced one such case.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.

Sobering and treatmentKeep the 2027 Recovery Pathways Center on schedule and fund more detox and treatment beds around it?3 of 3 on record

On March 12, 2026 the Board voted 5–0 for the $29.8 million Recovery Pathways Center at 440 SE Stephens: 18 sobering stations and 29 withdrawal beds, $14.2 million from the General Fund, move-in October 1, 2027. Thirteen temporary sobering stations have run at the deflection center since April 2025.

Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner
Led sobering-center effort
Said: What they said
Her campaign says she led the effort to rebuild the 24/7 Sobering and Crisis Stabilization Center as the front door to addiction treatment instead of jail or the ER, and expanded recovery housing.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner
Voted for center plan
What they did
Voted for the center's construction plan on March 12, 2026, saying she wants every opportunity for warm handoffs rather than referrals so care continues; she has not said whether to fund more detox beds beyond it.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner
Center can stand alone
What they did
Told the Board in April 2024 that a sobering center can stand alone and make a difference from the day it opens; she has not said whether the 2027 center should add more detox and treatment beds.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.

Closing the gapClose the county's structural budget gap by cutting administration before services?3 of 3 on record

The Budget Office projected a $10.5 million General Fund shortfall for FY 2027 growing to $33.8 million by FY 2030; the adopted FY 2027 budget eliminated at least 158 positions.

Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner
Cut administrative layers
What they did
Says she voted against the FY 2027 budget because it missed the chance to reduce outgrown layers of administrative leadership and prioritize direct services with demonstrated results.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner
Admin review, core services
What they did
In March 2025 proposed moving $22 million in homeless-services tax dollars out of administrative and other programs outside the Homeless Services Department, plus a review of that department's administrative structure to prioritize service dollars.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner
Zero-based budgeting
Said: What they said
Would adopt zero-based budgeting so every program justifies its cost, redirect money from ineffective and redundant structures and contracts, and deliver more while spending less.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.

Preschool tax delayKeep delaying the Preschool for All tax increase, now set for 2028?3 of 3 on record

On August 27, 2026 the Board voted 5–0 to push the scheduled 0.8-point increase on high earners from January 2027 to January 2028, its second delay; the program reported a $610 million fund balance and 7,100 seats for 2026–27.

Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner
Voted for 2028 delay
What they did
Voted with the full Board on August 27, 2026 to push the scheduled 0.8-point increase to January 1, 2028, the ordinance's second reading.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner
One-year delay, hers
What they did
Moved the ordinance delaying the increase to January 2028 and voted for it on August 27, 2026; she and Commissioner Moyer had proposed the one-year delay in place of the chair's two-year plan.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner
Define goals before taxing
Said: What they said
On a July 2026 podcast said Preschool for All must define its goal and forecast its money before raising taxes as promised while hundreds of millions sit unspent; she did not say whether the 2028 delay should stand.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.

Moda Center moneyUp to $101.6 million in county money for the Moda Center renovation?3 of 3 on record

On August 6, 2026 the Board voted 4–1 to set terms for a contribution of up to $101.6 million, drawn first from rental-car and tourism taxes; a vote on the final agreement is expected in December 2026.

Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner
Voted for $101.6M terms
What they did
Voted for the August 6, 2026 resolution setting terms for up to $101.6 million, with a clawback, a 20-year Blazers commitment and a payment in lieu of taxes; Commissioner Moyer cast the only no vote.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner
Voted for $101.6M terms
What they did
Voted for the August 6, 2026 resolution setting terms for up to $101.6 million, with a clawback, a 20-year Blazers commitment and a payment in lieu of taxes; Commissioner Moyer cast the only no vote.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner
Economic decision, negotiate
Said: What they said
On a July 2026 podcast called the Moda question an economic decision, said the Blazers' benefit is incontrovertible and the county should negotiate on costs and goals instead of a reset; she did not say whether to commit $101.6 million.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.

Jail capacityKeep both jails at their current funded capacity as the General Fund shrinks?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Sharon Meieran

The sheriff's required 5% cut option would have removed 38.9 corrections deputies, about 300 of roughly 1,130 funded beds; the FY 2027 budget kept capacity while bookings in February 2026 ran 22% above a year earlier.

Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner
Enough beds, no releases
Said: What they said
Her launch release says she offered budget amendments to fund public-safety positions and keep enough jail beds for serious crimes without emergency releases; it does not say whether both jails should keep their current funded capacity.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner
Voted for the budget
What they did
Voted for the FY 2027 budget that keeps both jails at full funded capacity; her budget statement speaks to housing stability and immigrant services, not to the jails.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.

Sanctuary under pressureKeep the county's sanctuary code and refuse ICE detainers under federal pressure?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Sharon Meieran

On April 9, 2026 the Board voted 5–0 to write sanctuary rules into county code, barring immigration agents from non-public county space without a judicial warrant; on June 23, 2026 the U.S. House Judiciary Committee demanded the sheriff's detainer records by July 7, calling the policy a threat to public safety.

Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner
Voted for sanctuary code
What they did
Voted for the April 9, 2026 ordinance writing sanctuary rules into county code, saying the action sends a message that immigrants belong here and the county will keep protecting civil rights.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner
Co-sponsored sanctuary code
What they did
Co-sponsored the April 9, 2026 ordinance writing sanctuary rules into county code, saying the county will stand up to bullies for immigrant and refugee neighbors and that restricted areas mean all county facilities.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.

Ambulance staffingDrop the two-paramedic ambulance rule for good?2 of 3 on recordNot found: Shannon Singleton

AMR has missed the county's eight-minute response target every month since March 2022; a 2024 settlement let some ambulances run with one paramedic and one EMT. A new Ambulance Service Plan goes to the Board in late 2026, before the AMR contract ends in 2028.

Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner
Backed one-paramedic model
Said: What they said
Cast the only vote for Meieran's July 2024 resolution pressing the chair to let ambulances run with one paramedic and one EMT, a week before mediation with AMR settled on a hybrid-staffing pilot.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner
One paramedic, one EMT
Said: What they said
As a commissioner introduced the July 2024 resolution pressing the chair to let ambulances run with one paramedic and one EMT, saying speed to the emergency room matters most for survival.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.

Appointed administratorMove day-to-day county management from the elected chair to an appointed administrator?1 of 3 on recordNot found: Julia Brim-Edwards, Shannon Singleton

The charter makes the chair both a board member and the chief executive who proposes the $4 billion budget and hires department heads. A Charter Review Committee convenes in March 2027 and any change it proposes goes to voters in 2028.

Julia Brim-EdwardsCounty commissioner
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Shannon SingletonCounty commissioner
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Sharon MeieranPhysician; former county commissioner
Charter reform; maybe manager
Said: What they said
Her plan calls the chair's power outsized and proposes charter reform to redefine the chair's and commissioners' roles, potentially hiring a county manager or administrator, after immediate team-based governance changes.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.

About this race

How to vote

You rank up to six candidates for one seat. Ranking more people never hurts your first choice. How it works

Ballots mail Oct 14 · return by 8 p.m. Nov 3

What this office can do

The chair leads county administration and proposes the budget; the county board must approve spending and legislation.

How this list was made

Same questions for everyone, A–Z. Each chip is our short reading of a sourced statement; we do not endorse, rank or score.

Reviewed September 18, 2026 · lines 2026-09-19.1 · AI-assisted, human review pending

Terms explained

Amendment: A proposed change to a measure before the final vote. Voting for an amendment is not the same as voting for the whole measure.
Supplemental budget: A mid-year change to the city budget after the main budget is adopted.
Appropriation: Permission to spend money on something. It does not mean the money has been spent or the result achieved.
PCEF: The Portland Clean Energy Fund: a tax on large retailers that pays for climate projects. Council has debated using its interest for other services.
Term sheet: Starting terms for a negotiation. Approving one is not a final contract.
Social housing: Housing owned by the public or a nonprofit and rented at controlled prices.
CEI Hub: The fuel-storage area along the Willamette in Northwest Portland, where Zenith Energy operates.
Ranked choice: You rank candidates in order. If your first choice is eliminated or already elected, your vote counts toward your next choice.