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Story: SWAP MEET
Date: Sept. 11
What happened: WW reported that 13 candidates for Portland City Council had agreed in writing to trade donations in an effort to add to their total number of contributions and unlock taxpayer dollars from the city’s Small Donor Elections program, which matches small donations by as much as $9 for every $1 raised. According to three elections lawyers, agreeing in writing to swap donations is likely a violation of a state elections law that prohibits candidates from soliciting contributions by offering something of value in return. Data provided by Small Donor Elections revealed more than 970 donation transactions between City Council candidates, though WW found swaps agreed to in writing between only 14 candidates, including mayoral candidate Liv Osthus. Like many candidates, Osthus said she swapped contributions in a spirit of collegiality, and was “certain no one who traded suspected they were doing anything wrong.”
What’s happened since: The Oregon Secretary of State’s Office launched an investigation into the swaps, focusing on 11 candidates for City Council and Osthus. The investigation remains ongoing, says spokeswoman Laura Kerns. The donation-swapping, along with several other creative tactics by candidates intended to unlock taxpayer dollars to fuel campaigns, highlighted weaknesses in the city’s Small Donor Elections program. Only one candidate who agreed to swap donations in writing—Eric Zimmerman—won a seat on the City Council. Zimmerman and his 11 colleagues take office Jan. 2, 2025.