City of Tigard · November 3, 2026

Portland City Council, City Council

8
Candidates: 3
Seats: Vote for up to 3
Method: Nov 3
Due 8 p.m.

Our readingDraft

Look past shared affordability language: candidates propose different mixes of spending limits, housing rules, public-land partnerships, street investments and service protection. You choose three, so ask which of those mixes you want represented together and what each candidate would cut first.

8 candidates, A–Z. Tap any position to read the sentence, how they would deliver it, and the source.

6 more choices, below6 more choices

Where each candidate stands on four issues, in our short reading of their statements. Each position is a button; activate it to read the sentence, how they would deliver it, and the source. Candidates appear alphabetically.
Candidate	8 of 8 documented	5 of 8 documented	7 of 8 documented	8 of 8 documented
Gabriel Elijio VelasquezHealthcare worker; advisory commission chair	Homes	Safety	Money	Streets
Jeff DarlandFormer engineering leader; budget-committee member	Homes	Safety	Money	Streets
John GoodhouseInsurance-business owner and former councilor	Homes	Safety	Money	Streets
Kate RistauNonprofit executive, author and library-board chair	Homes	Safety	Money	Streets
Shawne MartinezTigard resident; climate advocate	Homes	Safety	Money	Streets
Sue GarinoRetired Tigard police-department employee	Homes	Safety	Money	Streets
Tom AndersonCity councilor and real-estate broker	Homes	Safety	Money	Streets
Yousef K. AllouziData analyst with budget-committee experience	Homes	Safety	Money	Streets

What this office decides right now

What’s at stake

A Tigard councilor is one of six votes beside the mayor on the budget ($471,938,721 for FY 2026–27), utility and parks fees, bond and levy referrals, the camping and development codes and the city manager. Three seats are open at once, so the winners will decide together how to house police and public works after voters rejected $150 million, whether to renew the police levy by 2029, and how to stop drawing down general-fund reserves.

Each of this office’s 6 live choices is a board below, with every candidate’s stated position or the gap.

Facilities after the bond
Voters rejected the $150 million police and public-works bond 9,959 to 6,039 on May 19, 2026. The city already owns the 9.5-acre Wall Street site ($13,950,848, paid from utility funds); staff’s fallback is a public-works building financed by utility-rate bonds, with a rate decision in July 2027, and a smaller police bond later, while police evidence storage sits at about 160 square feet against roughly 4,500 needed.
Reserves running down
The FY 2026–27 budget of $471,938,721 is balanced in the general fund by a one-time draw on reserves of about $30.9 million (67% of operating costs), which the forecast takes to about $23.6 million by FY 2031 as revenue grows 2.5% a year against 4% for expenses; a moderate recession would cut revenue by about $2 million in a year.
Levy renewal by 2029
Police answered 42,461 calls for service in 2025, up 20.2% in five years. The $0.29-per-$1,000 police levy voters renewed in May 2024 funds 11 positions, eight of them patrol officers, and must go back to voters by the end of 2029, the same window in which the city would ask for any new facility bond.
Parks fund goes negative
The Parks Utility Fund is forecast to go negative in FY 2028 without about $1 million more a year; the options staff listed on April 21, 2026 are a higher parks and recreation fee, general-fund support or a parks operations and maintenance levy, and the last $2.2 million of parks-bond balance was spent in this year’s budget.
River Terrace 2.0
Up to 4,000 homes are planned at an average of 18 units an acre; the council set housing policy direction September 1, 2026, decides system-development-charge tiers on October 13, and targets community-plan adoption in May 2027, with the budget forecast counting on the development revenue.
Leadership turnover
Mayor Heidi Lueb resigned in September 2025 after an investigation substantiated claims she bullied colleagues; the council appointed Yi-Kang Hu mayor 5–1 on October 7, 2025, then filled his council seat with Tom Anderson in December, and named a permanent city manager, Brian Rager, only in July 2026 after the previous manager left in November.

Where they stand · six more choices

Six choices the City of Tigard faces

One question at a time: every candidate’s answer, A–Z, with its source. Open all to see who has said nothing about what.

Police facility nextAfter voters rejected the $150 million bond, build a public-works building first with rate-backed bonds and a smaller police bond later, or sell the Wall Street site?2 of 8 on recordOn record: Gabriel Elijio Velasquez, Tom Anderson

Measure 34-349, a $150 million bond at about $0.77 per $1,000 (about $263 a year on the average home), failed May 19, 2026, 62% to 38%. The city bought the 9.5-acre SW Wall Street site in 2024 for $13,950,848 from utility funds. On July 28, 2026 staff told the council the site cannot hold two separate buildings and proposed public works first, financed by utility-rate-backed bonds with a rate decision in July 2027, and a smaller police bond later; a $0.32 levy could raise $48 million. No measure was filed for November.

Gabriel Elijio VelasquezHealthcare worker; advisory commission chair
Backed bond, new plan
Said: What they said
Wrote in April 2026 he would vote yes on the $150 million bond, calling it responsible and proactive; his site now calls for an alternative public-safety building plan with in-house evidence storage. Sequencing or selling the site is unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Jeff DarlandFormer engineering leader; budget-committee member
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
John GoodhouseInsurance-business owner and former councilor
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Kate RistauNonprofit executive, author and library-board chair
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Shawne MartinezTigard resident; climate advocate
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Sue GarinoRetired Tigard police-department employee
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Tom AndersonCity councilor and real-estate broker
Voted to refer bond
What they did
Voted February 17, 2026 to refer the $150 million bond and would improve facility conditions for police and emergency responders; what to build first, or whether to sell the site, is unsaid.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Yousef K. AllouziData analyst with budget-committee experience
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.

General-fund gapClose a general-fund shortfall of more than $6 million by cutting library staff and city events and drawing reserves, or raise new revenue?5 of 8 on recordNot found: Gabriel Elijio Velasquez, Jeff Darland, Shawne Martinez

Resolution 26-22 adopted the FY 2026–27 budget June 9, 2026, 5–1, balancing the general fund with a one-time draw on reserves of about $30.9 million that are forecast to fall to $23.6 million by 2031 as revenue grows 2.5% a year against 4% costs. The budget left two library positions unfunded (about $400,000) while preserving hours, cut positions 3% citywide, and ends city-run events such as the Fourth of July and Pride from 2027.

Gabriel Elijio VelasquezHealthcare worker; advisory commission chair
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Jeff DarlandFormer engineering leader; budget-committee member
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
John GoodhouseInsurance-business owner and former councilor
More private events
Said: What they said
Would support the process for more private events in Tigard as the city ends its own; the library cuts and new revenue are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Kate RistauNonprofit executive, author and library-board chair
Invest in library
Said: What they said
Would protect community services by investing in the library, recreation programs and child nutrition; the FY 2026–27 cuts and new revenue are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Shawne MartinezTigard resident; climate advocate
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Sue GarinoRetired Tigard police-department employee
No one-time money
Said: What they said
Would limit the growth of taxes, fees and spending, stop using one-time money for ongoing programs and require measurable results from new spending; which cuts, and whether to draw reserves, are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Tom AndersonCity councilor and real-estate broker
Balanced budgeting
Said: What they said
Was absent for the June 9, 2026 budget vote; told Tigard Life he would protect essential city services through balanced budgeting. Which cuts or revenue he would choose is unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Yousef K. AllouziData analyst with budget-committee experience
No library cuts
Said: What they said
Says the library and city events keep taking disproportionate budget cuts and that as a budget committee member he “voted no on these cuts to the library”; new revenue is unsaid.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.

Parks fundingCover a $1 million-a-year parks shortfall by raising the parks fee, shifting general-fund money, or asking voters for a parks levy?2 of 8 on recordOn record: Kate Ristau, Tom Anderson

On April 21, 2026 staff told the council the Parks Utility Fund goes negative in FY 2028 without about $1 million more a year, listing the parks and recreation fee, general-fund support or a parks operations and maintenance levy as options. The FY 2026–27 budget used the last $2.2 million of parks-bond balance, and the 2010 parks bond’s debt levy ends this year, dropping the city’s rate from $3.1361 to $2.8031.

Gabriel Elijio VelasquezHealthcare worker; advisory commission chair
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Jeff DarlandFormer engineering leader; budget-committee member
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
John GoodhouseInsurance-business owner and former councilor
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Kate RistauNonprofit executive, author and library-board chair
Invest in parks
Said: What they said
Would invest in parks, trails and public spaces; whether by fee, general fund or levy is unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Shawne MartinezTigard resident; climate advocate
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Sue GarinoRetired Tigard police-department employee
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Tom AndersonCity councilor and real-estate broker
Sustainable parks funding
Said: What they said
Would maintain service levels and secure sustainable funding for parks, trails and ballfields; whether by fee, general fund or levy is unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Yousef K. AllouziData analyst with budget-committee experience
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.

River Terrace chargesTier development charges by home size, discounting smaller and middle homes, for River Terrace 2.0 and citywide, with a decision October 13?5 of 8 on recordNot found: Gabriel Elijio Velasquez, Sue Garino, Yousef K. Allouzi

On September 1, 2026 the council supported a tiered system-development-charge structure with a redistributed discount citywide and a flat option for apartments; dollar figures come October 13. River Terrace 2.0, up to 4,000 homes, is planned at an average of 18 units an acre with community-plan adoption targeted for May 2027, and the budget forecast counts on its development revenue.

Gabriel Elijio VelasquezHealthcare worker; advisory commission chair
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Jeff DarlandFormer engineering leader; budget-committee member
Updated SDCs, no subsidy
Said: What they said
Would ensure development pays for itself through updated system development charges so existing ratepayers do not subsidize pipes, roads, water and sewer; discounts for smaller homes are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
John GoodhouseInsurance-business owner and former councilor
Streamline for builders
Said: What they said
Would work with builders and city planning to streamline the process and make housing more affordable; tiered development charges are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Kate RistauNonprofit executive, author and library-board chair
Growth pays its way
Said: What they said
Wants smart land-use decisions from the Tigard Triangle to River Terrace 2.0 and new growth that pays its own way; tiered charges are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Shawne MartinezTigard resident; climate advocate
Build up, not out
Said: What they said
Wants Tigard to build up rather than out, with infill housing and rezoning near existing services; charges for River Terrace 2.0 are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Sue GarinoRetired Tigard police-department employee
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Tom AndersonCity councilor and real-estate broker
Guide River Terrace
Said: What they said
Says he would guide the River Terrace 2.0 development; tiered development charges are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Yousef K. AllouziData analyst with budget-committee experience
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.

Police camerasApprove activating Axon’s Fusus live-camera network for police and expand red-light photo enforcement?1 of 8 on recordOn record: Yousef K. Allouzi

On September 23, 2025 the council awarded Axon a $1,986,780 five-year contract for body cameras, tasers and evidence storage; activating the Fusus module, which lets police view live public and private camera feeds (about $100,000 a year from asset forfeiture), was conditioned on a later council vote that has not come. On September 8, 2026 police recommended expanding the three-intersection red-light program, which is $715,000 behind its revenue projections.

Gabriel Elijio VelasquezHealthcare worker; advisory commission chair
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Jeff DarlandFormer engineering leader; budget-committee member
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
John GoodhouseInsurance-business owner and former councilor
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Kate RistauNonprofit executive, author and library-board chair
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Shawne MartinezTigard resident; climate advocate
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Sue GarinoRetired Tigard police-department employee
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Tom AndersonCity councilor and real-estate broker
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Yousef K. AllouziData analyst with budget-committee experience
Against plate readers
Said: What they said
Says automated license-plate readers and ICE hunt residents and disregard due process; the Fusus camera network and photo enforcement are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.

Camping bufferExpand the no-camping buffer around shelters and service sites from 500 to 1,000 feet and restrict vehicle camping?1 of 8 on recordOn record: Gabriel Elijio Velasquez

A public hearing set for September 22, 2026 takes up amendments to city code chapter 7.80, with staff recommending approval; the council tightened camping hours and sidewalk clearance in December 2025 and barred leaving camp materials on city property in April 2026. Washington County’s first homeless access center, run by Just Compassion, opened in Tigard in 2026.

Gabriel Elijio VelasquezHealthcare worker; advisory commission chair
Regional shelter strategy
Said: What they said
Would work with municipal, state and federal leaders on a single strategy so everyone has shelter and no one sleeps on Tigard’s streets; the 1,000-foot buffer and vehicle-camping rules are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Jeff DarlandFormer engineering leader; budget-committee member
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
John GoodhouseInsurance-business owner and former councilor
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Kate RistauNonprofit executive, author and library-board chair
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Shawne MartinezTigard resident; climate advocate
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Sue GarinoRetired Tigard police-department employee
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Tom AndersonCity councilor and real-estate broker
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Yousef K. AllouziData analyst with budget-committee experience
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.

About this race

How to vote

You vote for up to three candidates for three seats. The three candidates with the most votes are elected. How it works

Ballots mail Oct 14 · return by 8 p.m. Nov 3

What this office can do

The mayor and council set city policy, adopt the budget and oversee the city manager. One member cannot enact a proposal alone. Schools, transit and county health services involve separate governing bodies.

How this list was made

Same questions for everyone, A–Z. Each chip is our short reading of a sourced statement; we do not endorse, rank or score.

Reviewed September 18, 2026 · lines 2026-09-19.1 · AI-assisted, human review pending

Terms explained

Amendment: A proposed change to a measure before the final vote. Voting for an amendment is not the same as voting for the whole measure.
Supplemental budget: A mid-year change to the city budget after the main budget is adopted.
Appropriation: Permission to spend money on something. It does not mean the money has been spent or the result achieved.
PCEF: The Portland Clean Energy Fund: a tax on large retailers that pays for climate projects. Council has debated using its interest for other services.
Term sheet: Starting terms for a negotiation. Approving one is not a final contract.
Social housing: Housing owned by the public or a nonprofit and rented at controlled prices.
CEI Hub: The fuel-storage area along the Willamette in Northwest Portland, where Zenith Energy operates.
Ranked choice: You rank candidates in order. If your first choice is eliminated or already elected, your vote counts toward your next choice.