Endorsements
Organizations





Elected Officials

Akasha Lawrence Spence
Oregon State Representative HD 26

Sumitra Chhetri
Centennial School Board Member

Ashley Hartmeier-Prigg
Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District Board of Directors
Community Members
Michael Burleson, Former Portland Mayoral Candidate 2020
Maria Garcia, Owner at Revolución Coffee House
Erik Regelein, System Administrator & Resident of NE Portland
Salome Chimuku, Activist/Co-Chair of Racial Inclusivity Workgroup of Multnomah County Democrats
GM Garcia, Activist/Co-Chair of Racial Inclusivity Workgroup of Multnomah County Democrats
Dacia Grayber, Firefighter/Paramedic & Community Activist
Wendy Lawton, Fairview Planning Commission & Emerge Class of 2019
Darin Smith, Resident of NE Portland
Jessica Calcagni, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Brianna Westenskow, Medical Assistant & Resident of SE Portland
Jenn Clark, Portland Volunteer
Kati Falger, PSU Staff
Megan Mcmillan, Advocate for families, mother of two
Shani Harris-Bagwell, Community Organizer
Sam Swan, PSU Student
Christine Pitts, Education Policy Advisor
Stacie Taniguchi, PSU Staff
Bruce Bowers, PSU Graduate
Sheena Ino, Former PSU Staff
Will Regan, PSU Student
Mason Dirk, PPS student
Harold McNaron, Educator
Hilary Wartell, Portland Resident
Annie Tarter, Former PSU Staff
Leona Yazdidoust, PSU Student
Matthew Kereczman, Systems Engineer
Jamaal Anthony, Resident of NE Portland
Brett Carlos, Resident of NE Portland
Rebecca Rodas, PSU staff
Carrie O’Toole, PPS Teacher
Eileen Oppelt, PPS Teacher
Peter Wedlake, Community Activist
Melanie Altaras, Portland Resident
Jessie Brainerd, SE Portland Millennial
Ben Dominguez, Portland Resident
Chloe Stallworth, Portland Resident
Gregory Welling, Teacher & Former Coworker
Aaron Reffitt, Resident of NE Portland
Tyrone White, Social Worker
Kristen Brabrook, Former Classmate
Shaylan Rodman, Homemaker, Parent, & Student
Matty Jernigan, Non-profit project management & PSU grad student
Chandler Paterson, PSU grad student
Aimee Shattuck, Portland Resident
Nathaniel Hoover, Portland Resident
Melanie Pascual, Friend & Supporter
Nichole Carnesi, Resident of NE Portland
Chris Pearcey, Senior Product Manager
Charmaine Learnard, Escrow
Sheri Pitcher, PSU Staff
Mark Donovan, Portland Resident From Birth
Kelsey Huwaldt, Resident of NE Portland
Chuck Poon, Resident of NE Portland
Andrea Griggs, PSU Staff
Steven Bergstrom, Water Filtration Technician
Wendee Coombs, Former Classmate
Andy Zundel, Former PSU Staff
Alexandria Miller, Community member
Carlos the Rollerblader, Rose Enthusiast
Cara Koch, PSU Student
Angela Hamilton, St Johns Resident & PSU Staff
Jesse Wood, HVAC Installer & Lifetime Portland Resident
Elizabeth Case, Small Business Owner
Virginia Luka, Resident of SE Portland
Miguel G Moseler, Humanitarian
Cynthia Harris, Community Advocate, Event Planner, & Resident of NE Portland
Les Wardenaar, Resident of NE Portland
Anna Williams, Resident of SE Portland
Angie Allison, University Instructor
Esther Arellano Harlow, Neighborhood Association Chair
What People Are Saying
Community Members
I’ve worked with Candace for six years, and really respect her. I also know how hard she works and how ethical she is, something that should be a baseline expectation for all of our public officials. Candace is a critical thinker and thoughtful problem-solver. She always brings an informed, fresh perspective to the table.
Angela Hamilton, St Johns Resident and PSU Staff
I support Candace Avalos for Portland City Council because I trust she will demonstrate integrity and determination in everything she does to support the community.
Andy Zundel, Resident of Beaverton/Former PSU Staff
In my work with Candace I have observed her passion. I’m confident that she will bring that passion to her commitment to bring about positive changes to our community.
Sheri Pitcher, PSU Staff
I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Candace for the past 6 years in her role supporting and mentoring students at Portland State University. She cares deeply about serving her community, listening to every voice, and acting with integrity and honesty.
Aimee Shattuck, Portland Resident
Candace Avalos has a strong voice and is willing to be accountable. Her focus on the outdated system of city government, housing and policing are just the thing Portland needs to move forward.
Bruce Bowers, PSU Graduate
Innovation, accountability, dedication– these are words that come to mind when I think of what Candace will bring to the Portland City Council. She’s driven by a vision of the very best of this city, and a realistic and motivated lens on what we need to do to bring that vision to everyone.
Dacia Grayber, Firefighter/ Paramedic, Community Activist
Candace is positive, relatable, hard working, and genuine. She is clear in her views but will listen to other views. She brings the energy, ideas, and understanding needed to be a good leader.
Eileen Oppelt, Teacher
Candace recognizes community needs and organizes to address them. She’s direct and caring. She doesn’t shy away from tough, complex issues.
Harold McNaron, Educator
Candace is a gem! Portland would be proud to have her in City Council. She is a honest, hard worker, who is passionate about the people and places she serves.
Kati Falger, PSU Staff
Candace is an active, effective, and innovative board member (communications coordinator) for the Oregon Kickball Club that I play in. If she does half as good a job coming up with creative and refreshing ideas on Portland City Council as she does in OKC, she’ll make a huge difference.
Matthew Kereczman, Systems Engineer
Candace is a smart, progressive leader who will bring a fresh voice to Portland City Hall.
Wendy Lawton, Emerge Class of 2019
Candace knows exactly what Portland needs and isn’t afraid to be blunt about it. She isn’t here to play politics as usual, she’s here to make an actual difference in the lives of every Portlander.
Peter Wedlake, Community Activist
I support Candace Avalos for Portland City Council because of her passion for service and commitment to strengthening communities. Given her extensive experience as a leader and educator, I am confident in her ability to lead Portland to a brighter future.
Sam Swan, PSU student
I have witnessed Candace in many different roles and noticed how she embodies her values in every way. She navigates holding the multitudes of her work with compassion, accountability, and through listening to the people she is serving. I support Candace Avalos for Portland City Council!
Sheena Ino, Former PSU Staff
Candace is both caring and energetic enough to do something about it.
Gregory Welling, Former Co-Worker
I support Candace Avalos for Portland City Council because she has always been a dedicated and passionate advocate for her community.
Angie Allison, University Instructor
Candace is someone with a lot of integrity which is needed in politics. She will work hard to reach her goals.
Aaron Reffitt, Resident of NE Portland
It is with much enthusiasm to endorse Candace Avalos for City Council. Candace has been a friend and a teammate for several years. Candace has superior interpersonal skills and works equally well independently or in a group setting. She also displays good leadership skills when involved in group projects. She is very well liked and respected by her coworkers, teammates, students, and her friends.
Jenn Clark, Portland Volunteer
I believe in her!
Charmaine Learnard, Portland Resident
I support Candace Avalos because of her beliefs regarding gender and racial equality. I am confident that she will improve life in Portland to the best of her abilities.
Wendee Coombs, Former Classmate
Miss Avalos is the most caring and supportive individual that’s for change in the right direction. She cares about the future of our city and most importantly the People of the city.
Steven Bergstrom, Water Filtration Technician
Candace has put in the work and has a passion for change. She has hope for the dire state of affairs and that’s something to get behind. She has a commitment to the betterment of communities of color, and that is a priority for me.
Matty Jernigan, Non-profit Project Management, PSU Grad Student
I’ve interacted with Candace several times at PSU and have always been impressed with how kind, uplifting, but effective she was in dealing with difficult situations as they related to student government and tricky events within the PSU administration. While being a powerful advocate for students, as well as a helpful and ethical communicator with student news media, Candace has somehow found the time to participate in the Citizen Review Committee for Portland Police, participate in and speak at rallies, and share her real life on social media and in person. I have so, so much admiration for Candace and think she brings excellent ideas and a fresh perspective to city council that is gravely needed in this city that has done such a poor job of representing its less privileged members.
Anna Williams, Resident of SE Portland
Candace is a powerful leader in PDX. She has been engaged in nuanced policymaking and advocacy that supports the lived experiences of a variety of populations across our Portland community. Her own life experiences and professional work has equipped her to make sound and calculated decisions for our city. I stand with Candace Avalos for Portland City Council.
Christine Pitts, Education Policy Advisor
I support Candace Avalos for Portland City Council because she gets it. She understands the real-life challenges people face while fully understanding the reason for why Portlanders make this city their own.
Darin Smith, Resident of NE Portland
I think Candace is an outgoing, caring person. She goes above and beyond her call of duty to make sure others are cared for. She listens and commits to tasks and is an all around wonderful human being!
Hilary Wartell, Portland Resident
I trust Candace to advocate for my community through a trauma-informed lens. She has the knowledge to create sustainable policies around housing, resources, and access to mental health for Portland that can serve as a model for our nation. I am proud to know we have a candidate all health professionals can stand behind who will see and hear all of Portlanders.
Jessica Calcagni, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Candace works hard to support student learning and development at PSU. Her role is demanding and she does everything she can to support our students with limited resources. She’s not intimidated by challenging circumstances and I’m confident she’d be a hard-working, equity-minded City Council member who wouldn’t back down in the face of adversity.
Stacie Taniguchi, PSU Staff
Candace is very passionate and knowledgeable! She is also very involved and engaged with students and the community, and has shown a comprehensive understanding of their needs.
Rebecca Rodas, PSU staff
Candace is progressive, focused and committed to the community. She fights for justice and will fight for Portland.
Shani Harris-Bagwell, Community Organizer
Young people deserve to have a voice in the decision making process. The path to engaging the next generation of leaders runs directly through representation of that generation in City Hall. I am proud to support Candace, whose perspective as a young woman of color and experience working with students will be a huge asset as Portland plans for our future.
Megan Mcmillan, Advocate for families, mother of two
Candace is dedicated to the folks she works with and works for. She is supportive, an active listener, and works diligently for the benefit of all around her. I fully support her for Portland City Council in 2020.
Chandler Paterson, PSU Grad Student
Candace works to help others, and ensures that we all feel listened to.
Leona Yazdidoust, PSU Student
Watching all the bright new voices come out and share their visions throughout the country, especially since the 2018 midterm elecion, has been one of the most motivating and inspiring movements I have witnessed. I began watching my own home for voices to support, and who I saw was Candace Avalos. She has such a strong rooting in what is right, and she has vision for the future. Having voices like hers on the Portland City Council will mean that all Portlanders will have a representative fighting for the issues closest to their hearts and homes. Candace is the type of person who listens, cares, and fights. She would make an absolutely essential addition to the city council, and she has my full support.
Shaylan Rodman, Homemaker, Parent, and Student
I support Candace Avalos because I have known her for several years and I consider her to be highly intelligent, honorable, and trustworthy.
Brett Carlos, NE Portland Resident
Add Your Name to Support Candace Avalos for Portland City Council in 2020
We are building a coalition of new voices to bring change to city hall, and we need your help! Add your name to the list below to support Candace in running for city council. If you can, please also consider writing a quick 2-3 sentence statement of your support that we can post on the website! For more information, check email us at candaceforportland@gmail.com.
Make a Donation
Candace is running a grassroots campaign fueled by the people of Portland, not corporations and special interest PACs. Therefore, we are only accepting donations under $250! By donating and supporting our movement, we can elect a candidate that will ensure all voices are heard and represented in city hall. Donate today and tell your friends!