District 4 candidate · Portland City Council · November 3, 2026
John J Goldsmith
Security officer; former Justice Department analyst
His amended 2026 filing lists work as a unionized security officer, earlier Justice Department analysis work, and volunteer gardening and LGBT memorial advocacy.
Reach the campaign
As published in their City filing.
Campaign finance: sources, amounts and timing ↓
In their words
Said: I am a licensed (DPSST) Central City unionized Security Officer for an International private security firm.
City filing
Candidate statement · Filed August 24, 2026; extracted September 20, 2026
Amended 2026 candidate filing · occupation field on PDF page 4 ↗Verbatim opening of the candidate's amended City filing. The form has no statement field; this is the first sentence he wrote in its occupation field. No pamphlet statement; the campaign site listed in the filing (johngoldsmith4pdx.net) refused connections on September 20, 2026.
No pamphlet statement was published; this is the verbatim opening of their City filing statement.
What they say they would do
Our summary of their platform, in our wordsA current platform has not yet been substantiated in the sources reviewed for this guide.
No 2026 pamphlet statement found in the reviewed Multnomah pamphlet. Further campaign and interview research is needed. This is a research gap, not evidence that the candidate has no positions.
Our reading
Our interpretation, not their wordsHis 2026 filing establishes occupational and civic background. It does not provide enough reviewed policy evidence to characterize his governing priorities; those positions remain unknown in this edition.
Where they stand
Rent and homes
Not foundNot found in the sources we reviewed. That is a research gap, not a position.
Camps, crime and who responds
Not foundNot found in the sources we reviewed. That is a research gap, not a position.
Your bills and taxes
Not foundNot found in the sources we reviewed. That is a research gap, not a position.
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 9 questions. John J Goldsmith is on record on 0, with 9 still open. A question without an answer is a research gap, not a position.
No answer we could findRezone the inner east side to allow apartment buildings off the main streets (the Inner Eastside Zoning Project)?
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.
Public money and terms for renovating the Moda Center?
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.
When, if ever, would they raise taxes or fees?
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed.
Add police officers, expand non-police responders, or both?
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.
Expand Portland Street Response to a full 24/7 role?
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.
Council votes
No Council vote yet. That is not a judgment about experience.
A question the evidence leaves open
What are your three specific priorities, how would you fund them, and what results would you report?
Sources (2)
- Portland certified candidate registerElection authority · Checked September 18, 2026
- Amended 2026 candidate filing · background on PDF pages 4–5Candidate statement · August 24, 2026