In 2024, two years after voters approved sweeping changes to how Portland’s government is structured, Portlanders voted in six progressive city councilors—four of them Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members. Now, as three of those four are vying for reelection, wealthy local political activists and their allies have been pulling out their checkbooks to prevent them from winning a second term.
Recent Mercury reporting provides voters with context around what moneyed interests are doing to prevent progressives from gaining office. Here’s what to watch out for.
Billboards
Connected, well-funded interests are spending tens of thousands of dollars on a billboard campaign, using a new web of monikers ostensibly run by grassroots activists.
Local political activist Kyle Prosen—also known as the drag queen comedian Poly Poptart—is listed as the treasurer for three political action committees (PACs) associated with the campaign, according to state records: DitchMitch, goPDX, and fix multCo…