"Technically, Portland City Council finally adjourned a meeting that began January 7 on January 14, after it elected Jamie Dunphy to serve as its president for 2026. Dunphy's election came after some 13 hours of deliberation over three days stretched across a grueling week for Portland leaders and community members. City Council remained in a 6-6 tie through multiple meetings leading into Wednesday's vote."
"Dunphy represents District 1, which covers the city east of 82nd Avenue. The young government structure is intended to create a more representative government, including a broader geographic area that many argue has not been represented in local government as much as neighborhoods in the central city. Before the vote, Dunphy was reluctant to accept the position, but said if elected he would use the role to distribute the power of the presidency rather than consolidate it."
Jamie Dunphy won election as Portland City Council president for 2026 following roughly 13 hours of deliberation across three days and a weeklong impasse. The council was deadlocked 6-6 through multiple meetings until Sameer Kanal removed himself from contention and nominated Dunphy, producing a 9-3 vote. Dunphy represents District 1, covering areas east of 82nd Avenue, a district created to expand representation beyond central-city neighborhoods. Dunphy hesitated but accepted to break the stalemate and pledged to distribute rather than consolidate presidential power. The 12-member charter increases the likelihood of ties, and council rules currently lack an internal tie-breaking mechanism.
Read at Portland Mercury
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