District 3 candidate · Portland City Council · November 3, 2026
Larry Kelly
Chef with a biochemistry degree; no prior governmental experience listed.
Reach the campaign
- letlarrycook.com (opens in a new tab)
- larrykellyforcitycouncil@gmail.com
- Instagram (opens in a new tab)
As published in their campaign site.
In their words
Said: I’m a chef by trade and a biochemist by education. One taught me to ask better questions, analyze data, and avoid jumping to conclusions, while the other taught me how to work with others to solve problems.
Pamphlet p. 54
Candidate statement · November 2026 edition; extracted September 20, 2026
Multnomah County voters’ pamphlet · PDF page 54 ↗Verbatim opening of the candidate's own statement; publication by the county does not verify the claims.
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 wordsConnects housing affordability, mental-health services and small-business support.
- Expand housing options and remove unnecessary barriers.
- Support Street Response, addiction treatment and permanent housing.
- Make local government easier for small businesses to work with.
Our reading
Our interpretation, not their wordsHe combines reducing housing barriers with services rather than treating either as sufficient. The statement does not specify which rules change or how much treatment and housing capacity would be funded.
Where they stand
Rent and homes
More housing choices- What
- Said: Supports expanding housing choices and removing unnecessary barriers; specific code changes are not identified in the reviewed statement.
- How
- Not in their sources
- Measured by
- Not in their sources
Camps, crime and who responds
Street Response, treatment- What
- Said: Supports Portland Street Response, addiction treatment and permanent housing.
- How
- Not in their sources
- Measured by
- Not in their sources
Your bills and taxes
Easier for small business- What
- Said: Wants government to be easier for small businesses to work with. Specific tax and spending changes are not established here.
- How
- Not in their sources
- Measured by
- Not in their sources
Streets, buses 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 8 questions. Larry Kelly is on record on 1, with 7 still open. A question without an answer is a research gap, not a position.
No answer we could findPublic money and terms for renovating the Moda Center?
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.
Raise new revenue, or hold the line on taxes and fees?
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.
Hire more sworn officers, or invest first elsewhere?
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.
Keep funding camp removals at current levels?
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.
Restrict new AI data centers in the city?
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.
Keep the monthly street repair fee?
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.
Raise water bills to pay for the Bull Run filtration plant and system repairs?
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.
Expand Portland Street Response to a full 24/7 role?
Said: Says Portland needs to expand mental health and addiction services and support the street response team; his statement does not say whether Street Response should expand to a 24/7 role.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid.
Council votes
No Council vote yet. That is not a judgment about experience.
A question the evidence leaves open
Which housing barriers would you remove first, and what services would you fund?
Sources (1)
- Multnomah County voters’ pamphlet · PDF page 54Candidate statement · November 2026 edition; reviewed September 18, 2026Written by the candidate or campaign. Publication by the county does not verify the claims.