Rene Gonzalez Wins Fire and Police Unions’ Endorsements in Mayor’s Race

The endorsements come as no surprise.

Rene Gonzalez Portland City Council candidate Rene Gonzales speaks to supporters and staff at his campaign office during an election night party in Portland, Oregon, on November 8th, 2022. (Jordan Gale)
By Sophie Peel

City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez announced today that he’d been endorsed in his bid for mayor by the Portland Fire Fighters’ Association and the Portland Police Association, two powerful public safety unions.

The twin endorsements come as no surprise: Gonzalez won both the fire and police union endorsements in 2022 when he successfully ran to unseat sitting City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty. Since he took office at the start of 2023, Gonzalez has maintained tight bonds with public safety union leaders and has been a vocal supporter of law enforcement on the dais.

“Partnering with our public safety professionals is essential to restoring Portland’s status as one of America’s safest cities,” Gonzalez said in a Tuesday statement. “I am thrilled to have the support of our city’s first responders.”

Gonzalez oversees Portland Fire & Rescue, and while he does not oversee the Portland Police Bureau, he’s branded himself since 2022 as a booster of the police.

Gonzalez is sitting on $105,000 in unspent campaign money, while his leading opponent for mayor, fellow City Commissioner Carmen Rubio, is sitting on $46,000. Other mayoral candidates include City Commissioner Mingus Mapps (who is staring down $17,000 in unpaid vendor bills), business owner Keith Wilson, and Mary’s Club stripper Liv Osthus.

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