District 4 candidate · Portland City Council · November 3, 2026
John McDonald
TriMet hydro technician and journalist.
Reach the campaign
As published in their questionnaire.
Campaign finance: sources, amounts and timing ↓
In their words
Said: My ask is simple: your vote. Your vote if you believe Portland can once again be a city that works — a city with clean, safe streets, thriving neighborhoods, reliable transportation, affordable housing and an economy that creates opportunity.
Pamphlet p. 63
Candidate statement · November 2026 edition; extracted September 20, 2026
Multnomah County voters’ pamphlet · PDF page 63 ↗Verbatim opening of the candidate's own statement; publication by the county does not verify the claims. The heading “Portland Is Ready for a Comeback” 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 wordsSupports major civic projects while calling for closer scrutiny of budgets and homelessness contracts.
- Modernize Moda Center and retain the Trail Blazers.
- Keep the Interstate Bridge Replacement moving.
- Limit new homelessness contracts and scrutinize existing providers.
Our reading
Our interpretation, not their wordsHe supports large capital commitments while seeking tighter oversight of homelessness spending. Comparing those priorities requires the total public exposure and recurring costs of both, not just the appeal of the projects.
Where they stand
Rent and homes
More affordable homes; protect renters- What
Supports more reasonably priced homes, protection against unfair rental practices, and partnerships to help families facing homelessness.
Full position and context
Would support policies that increase the supply of reasonably priced homes and apartments, protect renters from unfair practices and help families facing homelessness, and encourage investment in affordable housing programs and partnerships among communities, nonprofits and local governments.
- How
- Not found in the reviewed sources
- Measured by
- Not found in the reviewed sources
Camps, crime and who responds
Limit new homelessness contracts- What
Would limit new homelessness contracts and closely examine existing providers.
Full position and context
Would limit new homelessness contracts and scrutinize existing providers.
- How
- Not found in the reviewed sources
- Measured by
- Not found in the reviewed sources
Your bills and taxes
Renovate the arena; retain the Blazers- What
Supports modernizing Moda Center and keeping the Trail Blazers in Portland.
Full position and context
Supports modernizing Moda Center and retaining the Trail Blazers.
- How
- Said: The City’s current proposal: $120 million up front and $275 million in ongoing maintenance over a 20-year lease, with other revenue expected to follow the teams’ success.
- Measured by
- Not found in the reviewed sources
Streets, buses and air
Continue the I-5 bridge replacement- What
Supports continuing the project to replace the Interstate Bridge over the Columbia River.
Full position and context
Supports continuing the Interstate Bridge Replacement.
- How
- Said: The City as a partner in federal and state lobbying: a unified Council, led by the mayor, pressing Salem and Washington, D.C. to earmark funds, drawing on USDOT Mega Program grants, Oregon general-obligation bonds and toll revenue.
- Measured by
- Said: Construction starting in the third quarter of 2028, the schedule McDonald cites; the answer puts the project at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with $5.7 billion already committed.
The choices this office faces
Every candidate in this race is asked the same 9 questions. John McDonald is on record on 8, with 1 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?
Said: Fully supports the City’s current proposal of $120 million up front and $275 million in ongoing maintenance over a 20-year lease, and expects other revenue to come with the teams’ success.
When, if ever, would they raise taxes or fees?
Said: Would hold the line on taxes and fees, except what he calls the roads repair tax on water bills; would recruit business through the mayor’s office and a resized Prosper Portland, and audit every department to cut costs.
Add police officers, expand non-police responders, or both?
Said: Would fill the Police Bureau’s 68 vacant sworn positions immediately (his count) and push to hire more detectives to investigate graffiti and street racing.
Keep funding camp removals at current levels?
Said: Would sign no new camp-removal contracts and audit existing contractors to make sure they do their jobs; he does not say whether current funding should stay at its level.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid.
Restrict new AI data centers in the city?
Said: Not opposed to data centers in the city because they bring needed revenue, but says Council must write new regulations to address their electrical loads.
Expand Portland Street Response to a full 24/7 role?
Said: Supports a 24/7 Street Response (he puts it at 68 full-time staff and $10.5 million a year) paid mainly from the General Fund, with VA, TriMet and Central City Concern partners and opioid-settlement money in lean years.
Keep the monthly street repair fee?
Said: Says the City should keep the street repair fee; asked which fee he meant, he confirmed on September 26 that he supports keeping the monthly transportation utility fee.
Raise water bills to pay for the Bull Run filtration plant and system repairs?
Said: Says he is a no on the Bull Run filtration plant because he needs more information to make an informed decision; he does not address the rate increases for system repairs.
Their answers to our questions
Moda Center deal
Said: I fully support the city’s current proposal of $120 million up front with $275 million in ongoing maintenance over a 20-year lease. I’m confident that other revenue streams will become available with the success of our teams.
Street Response
Said: I support making PSR a 24/7 operation (68 FTEs / $10.5 million annually) primarily funded through the general fund while also pursuing partnerships with the VA, TriMet and Central City Concern. Additionally, we must collaborate with healthcare agencies at an executive level to understand upcoming changes to Medicaid under H.R. 1. Shifting funds from the city’s share of the Oregon Opioid Settlement could fill gaps in years when general funds are needed elsewhere.
Journalism
Said: Here’s some of my most recent journalism: “Commuter rail’s price of protection” (Trains) and “In Vancouver, Pride Became An Answer To Fear” (OutSFL, August 26, 2026).
Street repair fee
Said: Yes, I support keeping the monthly fee.
Police staffing
Said: At last count, PPB had 68 vacant sworn officer positions. Those should be filled immediately. I would also push for hiring more detectives to investigate graffiti bandits and street racers.
Streets, buses and air: how would you deliver the new I-5 bridge?
Said: With construction scheduled to begin in Q3 of 2028, there is plenty of time for the city to be a good partner and assist with federal and state lobbying efforts. New estimates put the project’s price range at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion with $5.7 billion already committed. This is a great opportunity for a unified council, led by the mayor, to lobby Salem and Washington, D.C. legislators to earmark funding to make this long-awaited bridge a reality. Funding sources include: USDOT Mega Program grants, the sale of Oregon GO Bonds and revenue from tolls.
Data centers
Said: Not opposed to data centers in the city as it brings needed revenue, but council must craft new regulations to address electrical loads.
New taxes or fees
Said: Yes, we must hold the line on taxes and fees (sans the roads repair tax on water bills). New revenue comes from a robust business recruitment, carried out through the mayor’s office and a resized Prosper Portland. We can also cut costs through comprehensive auditing of all city departments, pausing grants and eliminating waste, fraud and abuse.
Camp removal funding
Said: No new contracts for camp removals. Audit existing contractors to ensure they are fulfilling their duties.
Water rates and the Bull Run filtration plant
Said: I’m a no on the Bull Run filtration plant as I need more information to make an informed decision.
Council votes
No Council vote yet. That is not a judgment about experience.
A question the evidence leaves open
What maximum public exposure would you accept in the arena and bridge projects?
Sources (2)
- Multnomah County voters’ pamphlet · PDF page 63Candidate statement · November 2026 edition; reviewed September 18, 2026Written by the candidate or campaign. Publication by the county does not verify the claims.
- McDonald · campaign site, Campaign Focus PointsCandidate statement · Sent by the candidate September 26, 2026; read the same dayCampaign position. Claimed results and numerical premises have not been independently verified.