District 4 candidate · Portland City Council · November 3, 2026
John McDonald
TriMet hydro technician and journalist.
Reach the campaign
No website, email or phone in the pamphlet statement, and no campaign site found.
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
Not foundNot found in the sources we reviewed. That is a research gap, not a position.
Camps, crime and who responds
Cap homelessness contracts- What
- Said: Would limit new homelessness contracts and scrutinize existing providers.
- How
- Not in their sources
- Measured by
- Not in their sources
Your bills and taxes
Modernize Moda Center- What
- Said: 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 in their sources
Streets, buses and air
Continue new I-5 bridge- What
- Said: Supports continuing the Interstate Bridge Replacement.
- How
- Not in their sources
- Measured by
- Not in their sources
The choices this office faces
Every candidate in this race is asked the same 8 questions. John McDonald is on record on 2, with 6 still open. A question without an answer is a research gap, not a position.
No answer we could findRaise 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.
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.
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.
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).
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 (1)
- 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.