Blogtown, PDX

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Election 2008 Is Maria Rojo de Steffey Running for City Council?

Posted by Amy J. Ruiz on Tue, Nov 27 at 1:21 PM

Maybe.

After the current Multnomah County Commissioner suggested that the city council abandon their last-minute plan to rename 4th Avenue for César E. Chávez—they ran with her idea—there’s been speculation that Maria Rojo de Steffey is thinking about a run for city commissioner. (Following the hearing where the council nixed both the Interstate and 4th rename proposals, one commissioner told me that if de Steffey had co-chaired the Chávez rename committee, “Interstate would already be renamed.”)

“I am, absolutely” considering it, she told me today. Don’t expect an announcement on way or another until after the holidays. “I’ve got a lot of family coming, and I’m remodeling my house,” she says. Waiting another month also “gives me the time to talk to a lot of folks.”

I suspected that she’d consider challenging Commissioner Randy Leonard—so far, he’s only attracted two opponents: Jerry Kill, who plans to spend less than $300, and Emily Ryan, who as of November 21 had only collected 15 $5 contributions in her bid for public financing (only 985 to go by January 31!).

As an incumbent, Leonard’s seat is fairly secure. It would likely take a well known public figure like de Steffey to unseat him. Following the Interstate rename issue, where Leonard bore the brunt of the Chávez committee’s criticism, it seemed fitting that rename supporter de Steffey would challenge him.

But she won’t. If she does run, she’ll be running for the open seat, she says.

“I have been looking and talking to a lot of people saying you need to run. We need more women, we need more people of color. I think the city needs a balance on the council that it doesn’t have,” she says. “I need to really seriously consider this. Somebody’s got to do it.” It may be her responsibility to be the one to go for it, she says.

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Comments

i hope she gets it. if she does i think i might start proposing name changes for every numbered street in the city.

please, mercury, please endorse this candidate for the empty seat on the city council. then, NE 21st could be known at "Portland Mercury Lane"

Posted by Miguelaron | November 27, 2007 2:54 PM

She's right. We do need a woman on the council. That woman's name is Amanda Fritz.

Posted by Dave Lister | November 27, 2007 3:29 PM

I will vote for her because I want her to funnel public resources and funds to her husbands real estate development company.

No one presently on city council has been accused of this particular type of corruption, and frankly, I want that to change.

Posted by Toilet Joe | November 27, 2007 4:26 PM

"We need more women, we need more people of color."

Sounds like she's judging the current council members on the color of their skin. Isn't that sound a bit, well, racist???

Posted by Stu | November 27, 2007 5:08 PM

honestly, I dont want her for two reasons...
A) Joe is right, it would be nice to not have someone who is already known for corruption on the city council
and
B) she does not realize that politics is a lot about compromise

Posted by Fred Flintstone | November 27, 2007 6:11 PM

Personally, I like the way she's challegned the old school political ways of Portland past. Double bonus: she's a strong, female professional who is proud of her heritage. I'd support her run for City Council, but I draw the line at renaming SW Broadway "Rojo de Steffey Boulevard" -- at least for another 50 years.

Posted by Native Jon | November 27, 2007 8:04 PM

No Thanks. I was not impressed with the way she made people feel bad on Interstate Ave (RACIST!! YOU WILL FOLLOW WHAT I WANT!!) and the way she went from not compromising at all into becoming totally disinterested.

For the sake of saying I totally agree...
I will repeat Mr. Lister's comments:
"She's right. We do need a woman on the council. That woman's name is Amanda Fritz."

Posted by Polarizing and NOT in a good way | November 27, 2007 8:29 PM

For the sake of saying I totally agree...
I will repeat Mr. Lister's comments:
"She's right. We do need a woman on the council. That woman's name is Amanda Fritz."

Amanda may have a interest in improving her SW area of town - she is an RN and her husband a Doctor - that doesn't really compare to having a developer husband. FREE ATIVAN & VALIUM AT CITY HALL!! AMANDA FOR CITY COUNCIL~!!

Posted by Polarizing and NOT in a good way | November 27, 2007 8:32 PM

Just what we do NOT need is Maria on the Portland council. She is the MOST racist hispanic around. Plus she is VERY corrupt with her husbands dealings. She is a horrible, horrible person.

Posted by Chimy | November 27, 2007 11:28 PM

I want to set the record straight on two issues that folks have been commenting on.

Commissioner Rojo de Steffey clearly stated and it is on the public record, that should the company that her husband works for submit a proposal for a county owned building, she would recuse herself from further participation. And, in fact, the ethics commission dismissed the charge against her.

Secondly, never did she consider the Chaves renaming a racist issue. In fact, her press conference statement asked the City Council to take a vote one way or the other but to END the divisiveness. She has proudly worked with and supported people of all colors and sexual orientation - all her life.

Posted by Get the facts straight... | November 28, 2007 8:55 AM

Marie Rojo de Steffey will always be one of the Mean Girls to me and will never get my vote. We do need a woman on the City Council and right now, that woman is Amanda Fritz.

Posted by Sadie LaRue | November 28, 2007 10:59 AM

When you're a female "person of color", you don't need any other qualifications.

Posted by Daaaaave | November 28, 2007 11:25 AM

And of course Multnomah County has been a shining success when it comes to efficient government......

Posted by Dave Lister | November 28, 2007 6:16 PM

I think some people are confusing her with the woman on the Chavez committee, Guembes (sp?) She's the one who stated over and over there would be no compromise and that we were all a bunch of racists, etc. Or maybe with Serena Cruz. She's been kind of a jerk in this issue.

Posted by Jan | November 29, 2007 4:52 PM

The more qualified candidates with experience who run for the open seat the better. I hope she throws her hat in the ring. Clearly, she brings a little bagage into the race--as do most outspoken politicians. I'm interested to know what strenghts she feels she will bring to the city council and curious to know her vision for Portland and what issues are important to her. Until then, I'll reserve judgment.

Posted by EB | December 1, 2007 11:45 AM

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Posted by cnudhw gdwat | December 4, 2007 4:37 PM

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