Firefighters and police unions support Rene Gonzalez in the race for mayor

City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez announced today that he has been endorsed in his run for mayor by the Portland Firefighters’ Association and the Portland Police Association, two influential public safety unions.

The dual endorsement comes as no surprise: Gonzalez won the backing of both the firefighter and police unions in 2022 when he successfully ran to unseat incumbent City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty. Since taking office in early 2023, Gonzalez has maintained close ties with union leadership and has been a vocal supporter of law enforcement on the podium.

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

Gonzalez is in charge of Portland’s fire and emergency services, and although he is not in charge of the Portland Police Bureau, he has considered himself a supporter of the police since 2022.

Gonzalez is sitting on $105,000 in unspent campaign money, while his leading mayoral opponent, Councilwoman Carmen Rubio, is sitting on $46,000. Other mayoral candidates include Councilwoman Mingus Mapps (who has $17,000 in unpaid vendor bills), business owner Keith Wilson and stripper Liv Osthus.