Ali Beaudoin

What they say they would do

Wants to apply financial and operational discipline to city government, with small-business growth and long-term economic health as priorities.

• Assess costs and likely effects before adopting policies.
• Eliminate unnecessary spending and measure whether programs meet their goals.
• Make it easier to build and operate local businesses.

Our reading

• Financial discipline
• Small-business growth

The test is whether operational changes produce enough savings and investment to support services. His emailed reply adds the mechanism, growing the tax base by filling commercial vacancies downtown and in neighborhood corridors, and would hold the line on new taxes and fees until programs show results; he names no vacancy target or specific cuts.

Where they stand

The choices this office faces

Every candidate in this race is asked the same 8 questions. Ali Beaudoin is on record on 8. A question without an answer is a research gap, not a position.

• Public money and terms for renovating the Moda Center?

  Said: Calls the packages the city offered a billionaire while cutting funds a lack of courage; would fight for deals where citizens and communities really benefit.

  Questionnaire, questionnaire source

• Raise new revenue, or hold the line on taxes and fees?

  Said: Would generally hold the line on new taxes and fees until the city shows existing revenue is spent efficiently; any new source needs a clear purpose, a sunset or review, and accountability.

  Emailed response, response source

• Hire more sworn officers, or invest first elsewhere?

  Said: Supports rebuilding police staffing where there are documented service gaps, while investing in alternative responders, prevention and community services so police are not the default response.

  Emailed response, response source

• Keep funding camp removals at current levels?

  Said: Would support clearing unsafe camping areas while providing stable housing and support for the people living there, and would measure where people go, whether areas stay clear and the cost; current funding levels unsaid.

  On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid.

  Emailed response, response source

• Restrict new AI data centers in the city?

  Said: Supports a temporary pause on new AI data centers while the city evaluates their effects on electricity, water, infrastructure, noise and neighborhoods, with large users paying their share.

  Emailed response, response source

• Expand Portland Street Response to a full 24/7 role?

  Said: Supports expanding Street Response toward 24/7 where data shows it can safely handle calls that do not need police, tied to measurable outcomes, response times and demand.

  Emailed response, response source

• Keep the monthly street repair fee?

  Said: Would oppose keeping or adding fees without first showing they are necessary and that existing transportation dollars are used well; wants to be clear about what each fee delivers.

  Emailed response, response source

• Raise water bills to pay for the Bull Run filtration plant and system repairs?

  Said: Would support necessary, phased water-rate increases for filtration and aging pipes, but only with aggressive cost controls, outside funding and protections for households that cannot afford higher bills.

  Emailed response, response source

Their answers to our questions

Clearing camps

Said: I would support clearing unsafe camping areas while making sure we provide stable housing and appropriate support for the people living there.

Received 2026-09-25

Rent and homes

Said: I would focus on increasing the supply of housing, simplifying complex permitting processes, reducing unnecessary regulatory costs, and supporting more middle-income and workforce housing. I also want to expand pathways to homeownership and make better use of vacant or underutilized properties. On the financing side, I would explore working with the city and financial institutions to offer first-time homebuyers temporary interest-rate assistance to reduce their monthly costs while mortgage rates remain elevated.

Received 2026-09-23

Camps, crime and who responds

Said: We need enforcement when there is violence, property crime, or unsafe behavior; prevention through housing and behavioral-health services; and a stronger non-police response for people who need care rather than enforcement. The goal should be matching the response to the problem instead of using one system for everything.

Received 2026-09-23

Your bills and taxes

Said: I would focus on reducing the city’s commercial vacancy rate and bringing businesses back to downtown Portland and neighborhood commercial corridors. That would create jobs and expand the city’s tax base without raising taxes, and as revenues improve, we should look for opportunities to reduce the tax burden and eliminate unnecessary fees.

Received 2026-09-23

Streets, buses and air

Said: I would prioritize investment in basic transportation infrastructure, including street maintenance, sidewalks, safer crossings, reliable buses, and neighborhood connectivity, while continuing to support biking and pedestrian improvements.

Received 2026-09-23

New taxes or fees

Said: I would generally hold the line on new taxes and fees until the city demonstrates that existing revenue is being spent efficiently and programs are producing measurable results. If a new revenue source is proposed, it should have a clear purpose, a sunset or review mechanism, and strong accountability for how the money is spent.

Received 2026-09-23

Police staffing

Said: Portland needs enough officers to provide timely responses to serious crime and emergencies, so I support rebuilding staffing where there are documented service gaps. At the same time, I would invest in alternative responders, prevention, and community-based services so police are not the default response to every problem.

Received 2026-09-23

Clearing camps

Said: I support enforcing public-space rules while making sure there are realistic pathways to shelter, housing, and services. The city should measure what happens after a removal, including where people go, whether the area stays clear, and the cost, rather than measuring success simply by the number of camps cleared.

Received 2026-09-23

Data centers

Said: I support a temporary pause on new AI data centers while the city evaluates their impacts on electricity, water, infrastructure, noise, and surrounding neighborhoods. Portland should pursue economic development while making sure large users pay their fair share of the infrastructure and resources they require.

Received 2026-09-23

Street Response

Said: I support expanding Portland Street Response toward 24/7 coverage where the data shows it can safely and effectively handle calls that do not require police. Expansion should be tied to measurable outcomes, response times, and demonstrated demand.

Received 2026-09-23

Street repair fee

Said: I would oppose adding or maintaining fees without first demonstrating that they are necessary and that existing transportation dollars are being used effectively. Portland should prioritize maintaining the infrastructure we already have and be transparent about exactly what each fee delivers.

Received 2026-09-23

Water rates

Said: I recognize that Bull Run filtration and aging infrastructure require substantial investment, and I support making the necessary investments in Portland’s water system. I would support necessary, phased increases, but only alongside aggressive cost controls, outside funding opportunities, and clear protections for households that cannot afford higher bills.

Received 2026-09-23

Council votes

No Council vote yet. That is not a judgment about experience.

A question the evidence leaves open

Which fees would you cut first as revenue grows, and what vacancy rate would show the plan is working?