PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Tuesday marks Mayor Ted Wheeler’s last day serving the City of Portland, eight years after he was elected to represent Oregon’s largest city.
Wheeler took to social media to bid the city farewell after nearly 18 years in elective office.
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“Farewell, Portland. I am filled with optimism today as I leave office. The next chapter is just beginning, and the potential for progress is limitless,” he said. “Let’s stay the course, work together, and ensure that the future of Portland is as bright as we know it can be.”
Wednesday, Jan. 1 marks incoming mayor Keith Wilson’s first day on the job after winning Portland’s first attempt at ranked choice voting by setting a foundation to solve the city’s ongoing homeless and drug crisis.
The start of the new year also marks the city’s transition into a new form of government, which will maintain four geographic districts each with elected three council members and effectively expand Portland City Council from five to 12 members .