RUNNING FOR POSITIVE CHANGE
Leading With Practical City Experience
GALLERY
About
Kezia Wanner
Kezia is a proud Portlander by choice, selecting the city as her home 24 years ago, and has lived in southeast neighborhoods of Laurelhurst, Reed, and Woodstock. She lives with her husband, daughter and rescue animals and is fortunate to have her extended family live nearby in Woodstock. She spends as much time as possible outdoors and with community, and looks for new experiences that only our great city has to offer.
My commitment is to take politics out of City services. I will be an operationally-focused elected official who will ensure that the City bureaus are adequately funded and supported to provide services the public expects and is paying for. I understand the City from the inside, I know how it works, and will serve as an experienced, pragmatic voice on the new City Council.
My priorities are grounded in the real experience of working within the City of Portland organization for two decades for departments of Transportation, Budget, Police and Fire. I have led high impact change for the City, always with a focus on providing core services.
KEZIA'S PRIORITIES
CORE PRIORITES
Public Safety
The City has underfunded public safety for years and For more than 20 years, I have fought for funding for police and fire and will continue to fight for the right sized fire and police forces for a City of our size and complexity.
Impacts of Homelessness
The region is experiencing an existential crisis from homelessness, drug use, mental health issues, and housing affordability. These issues require different approaches and resources. I stood up the program to address derelict RVs in our streets and will focus on livability impacts with direct and immediate solutions.
Core City Services
The City has continued to expand its scope of services while funding streams haven't kept up. I coordinated City/County budget alignment, stood against expanding non-core city programs, and I will continue to prioritize City core services over the bright, shiny new things.
ENDORSEMENTS
PORTLAND POLICE ASSOCIATION
PORTLAND FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
MULTNOMAH COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION
MULTNOMAH COUNTY SHERIFF NICOLE MORRISEY - O'DONNELL
PORTLAND MAYORAL CANDIDATE - RENE GONZALEZ
MULTNOMAH COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY ELECT - NATHAN VASQUEZ
PPB COMMANDER, RETIRED - DAVE BENSON
PPB COMMANDER, RETIRED - WENDI STEINBRONN
ASSISTANT CITY BUDGET DIRECTOR FORMER - CHRISTY OWEN
PPS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER - ANDREW SCOTT
PROGRESO LATINO PAC
PORTLAND METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
GABE SOLMER, FORMER WATER BUREAU DIRECTOR
"Kezia is a problem-solver and a committed public servant. Portland needs her experience and expertise, particularly now in this moment of change. I know she'll bring her decades of service to fearlessly tackle the challenges that face our families and communities."
JESSICA KINARD, FORMER CITY BUDGET DIRECTOR
"Kezia is an experienced, knowledgeable and effective public leader. She has the skills, background, relationships, and determination to make an impact on day 1, and is committed to improving and sustaining quality core City services."
SARA BOONE, RETIRED PORTLAND FIRE CHIEF
"Safety is paramount for vibrant, prosperous, and functional communities to thrive. I have worked with Kezia for several years and witnessed first hand her extraordinary commitment to public safety, civic engagement, and community pride. She would be a conscientious, collaborative, and pragmatic representative for her district and the city writ large, uplifting all Portlanders towards a brighter future."
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