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Josh Leake
Josh Leake ran for election for Mayor of Portland in Oregon. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Leake completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Josh Leake was born in Portland, Oregon. Leake's career experience includes owning Portland Mortgage and working as a licensed loan officer in Washington and Oregon states and as a film producer and director. He founded the program Future Filmmakers with the Boys and Girls Club of Portland in 2016 and the Portland Film Festival, where he has served as its executive director. He has been affiliated with the Lan Su Garden.[1][2]
Elections
2024
See also: Mayoral election in Portland, Oregon (2024)
General election
General election for Mayor of Portland
The ranked-choice voting election was won by Keith Wilson in round 20 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.
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Total votes: 309,963 |
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 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Nancy Congdon (Nonpartisan)
- Marshall Runkel (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Leake in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Josh Leake completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Leake's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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My journey's been all about giving back - from interning with Mayor Vera Katz to volunteering 600+ hours with first responders. I've built businesses, developed eco-friendly housing, and even started an Emmy-nominated program with the Boys & Girls Club. Now, I'm running for mayor because I believe in Portland's potential. I've got a solid plan to boost our economy, improve public safety, rejuvenate our neighborhoods, and make City Hall work for you. Want to know more? Check out my detailed "Plan to Make Portland Better" at joshforportland.com/plan. It's packed with concrete ideas to tackle our city's challenges. Ready to be part of Portland's comeback story? Whether you want to vote, volunteer, or just share your thoughts, I'm all ears. My diverse experiences in business, community service, and local government make me uniquely qualified to lead our city forward.
Visit joshforportland.com/plan to read the full plan and join our campaign. Let's create a thriving Portland together!- Public Safety & Rejuvenating Portland: Portland deserves to feel safe and vibrant again. My plan focuses on community policing, modernizing our justice system, and enhancing TriMet safety. We'll create vibrant spaces, tackle traffic issues, and establish community hubs. By addressing homelessness and supporting our youth and arts scene, we'll breathe new life into every neighborhood. From preparing for unexpected events to expanding victim services, we're building a Portland where everyone feels secure and connected.
- Economic Growth: It's time to reignite Portland's economy. We'll rebrand our city, create innovative spaces, and empower small businesses. By bringing government services closer to you and enforcing development agreements, we'll ensure growth benefits everyone. Our focus is on creating inclusive jobs and fostering an accessible economy. Portland's unique strengths will shine as we build a diverse, resilient economic landscape that works for all our residents.
- Government Transition: Let's make City Hall work for you. We're partnering with the new council to bring fresh leadership and ideas. Our goal? A more accessible government with improved customer service. We're forging educational partnerships to build a smarter Portland and ramping up our disaster preparedness. It's time for a transparent, efficient City Hall that truly serves its people. Together, we'll create a government as open and innovative as Portlanders themselves.
My father's commitment to being there for me - attending my high school sports games and investing time to show me I was important - taught me the value of presence and engagement. This lesson directly influences my approach to community leadership and is reflected in my initiatives at joshforportland.com/plan:
Community Policing: Like my father's constant presence, I believe in law enforcement being visible and engaged in our neighborhoods.
Youth Programs: Inspired by how my father supported me, I'm committed to creating programs that empower and uplift Portland's youth.
Government Accessibility: My father's example of being available and supportive informs my plan to make city services more accessible to all Portlanders.
Economic Empowerment: Just as my father encouraged me to believe I could accomplish anything, I want to create inclusive economic opportunities that allow all Portlanders to pursue their dreams.
Innovative Problem-Solving: My father's encouragement to think outside the box drives my approach to tackling Portland's challenges with creative, unconventional solutions.
His example of overcoming personal hardship to be a supportive parent motivates me to address issues like homelessness and mental health with compassion and determination.
Foucault challenges us to question established systems, a crucial mindset when addressing Portland's complex issues. His exploration of how knowledge and power intersect reminds me that creating meaningful change often requires reimagining our operational frameworks:
Public Safety: We're rethinking community safety holistically, not just increasing policing. This includes modernizing our criminal justice approach and enhancing community policing, recognizing that safety extends beyond law enforcement.
Economic Growth: Our plan redefines what a thriving, inclusive economy looks like. We're focusing on empowering small businesses and creating job opportunities that benefit all Portlanders.
Rejuvenating Portland: We're reimagining public spaces and community hubs to foster connection and vibrancy, not just beautifying the city.
Government Transition: Our approach emphasizes transparency and accessibility, challenging traditional power dynamics between city hall and citizens.
While "The Order of Things" provides a philosophical foundation, my plan translates these ideas into concrete actions. It's about questioning the status quo and finding innovative solutions to our city's challenges.
For those interested in understanding how these philosophical ideas translate into practical policies, I encourage you to read my comprehensive plan at joshforportland.com/plan. It outlines specific initiatives that embody this forward-thinking, inclusive approach to city governance.
Vision: A leader must see beyond current challenges to a city's potential. My plan demonstrates this through initiatives like rebranding our city and creating innovative spaces. We're not just solving today's problems; we're building a foundation for long-term growth and vitality.
Integrity: Elected officials must be transparent and accountable. That's why my government transition plan emphasizes accessibility and improved customer service.
Inclusivity: A great leader represents all constituents. My economic growth strategy focuses on creating inclusive jobs and empowering small businesses across all communities. In public safety, we're expanding victim services and modernizing our approach to ensure justice for all.
Commitment to actionable solutions: It's not enough to identify problems; leaders must provide concrete solutions. My plan offers specific initiatives for each challenge Portland faces. From addressing homelessness to improving public safety, we're not just talking – we're planning to act.
Collaboration: No single person has all the answers. My approach involves partnering with the new council, forging educational partnerships, and engaging community members in decision-making processes.
Resilience and preparedness: A leader must be ready for challenges. My plan includes disaster preparedness initiatives to ensure our city can face unexpected events.
Creativity: In tackling longstanding issues, fresh thinking is crucial.
Creative Thinking: My ability to think outside the box is crucial for developing innovative solutions to Portland's challenges. This creativity is evident in my plans for rejuvenating Portland, where we're proposing unique approaches to revitalize our neighborhoods and public spaces.
Knowledge of Process and Rules: My background in underwriting has given me a deep understanding of complex processes and regulations. This expertise will be invaluable in navigating the intricacies of city governance, particularly in our efforts to streamline government services and improve efficiency.
Public Speaking Skills: My comfort in speaking to audiences of any size, from 3 to 20,000 people, is essential for effective leadership. This skill will be particularly useful in our community engagement initiatives, where clear communication with residents is key to building trust and fostering participation.
Financial Expertise: My experience in finance and budgeting is critical for managing city resources responsibly. This knowledge directly informs our economic growth strategies, ensuring we can create a thriving economy while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Adaptability: Having worked in various fields, from filmmaking to mortgage lending, I've developed the ability to adapt quickly to new challenges – a crucial skill for addressing Portland's evolving needs.
Public Safety: Ensuring all Portlanders feel safe in their neighborhoods. This means modernizing our approach to policing, enhancing community engagement, and improving emergency preparedness.
Economic Growth: Fostering a thriving economy that works for everyone. We'll support small businesses, create inclusive job opportunities, and attract sustainable industries to Portland.
Rejuvenating Portland: Revitalizing our city's spirit by addressing homelessness, improving public spaces, and nurturing our arts and culture scene.
Government Transition: Leading a transparent, efficient, and accessible city government that truly serves its people.
These responsibilities require a mayor who listens, collaborates, and takes decisive action. It's about making tough decisions, managing resources wisely, and always putting the needs of Portlanders first.
My comprehensive plan details how we'll tackle these responsibilities head-on. From community policing initiatives to innovative economic strategies, we've got concrete solutions for Portland's challenges.
My comprehensive plan at joshforportland.com/plan outlines key initiatives designed to create this nurturing, thriving Portland:
Public Safety: Implementing community policing and modernizing our justice system to create safer neighborhoods where families can flourish.
Economic Growth: Empowering small businesses and creating inclusive job opportunities, ensuring a strong economic foundation for future generations.
Rejuvenating Portland: Revitalizing our public spaces and community hubs, providing more areas for residents to connect, learn, and grow together.
Government Transition: Streamlining city services and improving accessibility, making it easier for all Portlanders to engage with and benefit from their local government.
Disaster Preparedness: Ensuring our city is ready to face challenges, protecting our community's future.
Enhancing TriMet Safety: Making our public transit system secure for all, allowing residents to explore and connect across the city safely.
These initiatives aim to create a Portland that cares for its residents as thoughtfully as my grandmother cared for me. I want future Portlanders to inherit a city that's not only safer and more prosperous but also richer in community connection and opportunity.
This experience left a lasting impression on me. Looking back, I believe it was a missed opportunity to help children process a traumatic event. This realization informs my approach to crisis management and mental health support in Portland today.
In my plan at joshforportland.com/plan, I address how we can better handle crises and support mental health:
Public Safety: Our modernized approach includes better crisis response training for first responders, ensuring they're equipped to handle traumatic situations sensitively.
Community Hubs: These spaces will offer mental health resources and support, providing safe places for people to process difficult events together.
Homeless Shelters: Our approach to homelessness includes comprehensive mental health services, recognizing that unaddressed trauma often contributes to housing instability.
Government Transition: I'm committed to improving how City Hall communicates during crises, ensuring clear, empathetic, and informative responses.
Educational Partnerships: We'll work with schools to develop better protocols for addressing traumatic events with students.
This childhood experience taught me the importance of open communication and proper support during challenging times. It's why I'm dedicated to creating a more responsive, empathetic city government that prioritizes mental health and community well-being.
My first paid job was at Pietro's Pizza in Milwaukie, Oregon, where I learned about customer service and teamwork - skills crucial for my plans to improve City Hall's responsiveness to residents.
However, my first job with the City of Portland holds a special place in my heart. As a high school student, I worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor at various Portland pools, including Grant High School, Dishman, Wilson, and other summer pools like Peninsula, Creston, and Sellwood.
This experience directly informs my initiatives for rejuvenating Portland. Working at these community pools showed me the importance of public spaces in bringing neighborhoods together. It's why I'm committed to revitalizing our parks and community centers, ensuring they're safe, well-maintained, and accessible to all.
My time as a lifeguard also taught me about public safety, responsibility, and the importance of being prepared for emergencies. These lessons influence my approach to citywide disaster preparedness and community policing initiatives.
Lastly, interacting with diverse groups of Portlanders at these pools fostered my commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in all city services, a key component of my plan for Portland's future.
Kesey's masterpiece explores themes of individuality, institutional power, and the human spirit's resilience - all of which are crucial to my plan for our city, detailed at joshforportland.com/plan.
The protagonist, Randle McMurphy, embodies the kind of transformative energy I believe Portland needs. His challenge to an oppressive system mirrors our need to rethink and reform our approach to issues like mental health, homelessness, and community empowerment.
This book's Oregon setting reminds me of our state's rich literary heritage and the importance of nurturing our local arts and culture scene, a key component of my plan to rejuvenate Portland.
Moreover, the novel's unflinching look at mental health treatment has informed my approach to public safety and community services. It underscores the need for compassionate, innovative solutions to our city's challenges, particularly in addressing homelessness and addiction.
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" teaches us that change often requires courage and a willingness to challenge the status quo. As mayor, I'm committed to bringing this spirit of bold, thoughtful reform to Portland's government and services.
Fred Rogers' character exemplifies the qualities I hope to bring to the mayor's office, as outlined in my plan at joshforportland.com/plan:
Community Building: Like Mister Rogers' focus on creating a welcoming neighborhood, I'm committed to rejuvenating Portland's sense of community and making every resident feel valued.
Empathy and Understanding: His ability to tackle complex issues in a compassionate, accessible way aligns with my approach to addressing Portland's challenges, from homelessness to public safety.
Inclusivity: Mister Rogers' message that everyone is special reflects my commitment to creating an inclusive Portland where every voice is heard and respected.
Education and Growth: His dedication to learning and personal growth mirrors my initiatives for economic development and educational partnerships.
Calm Leadership: In times of crisis, Mister Rogers provided a calm, reassuring presence - a quality I aim to bring to City Hall, especially in our disaster preparedness efforts.
Seeing someone I cared about deeply fall through the cracks of our system, unable to find the help he needed to step up and out of the streets, has deeply informed my approach to city leadership. This personal loss directly shapes many of the initiatives outlined in my comprehensive plan at joshforportland.com/plan:
Public Safety: Our approach to community policing and modernizing the criminal justice system includes a strong focus on addiction support and mental health services, aiming to prevent others from experiencing the same fate as my friend.
Rejuvenating Portland: Our plans to address homelessness go beyond just housing – they include comprehensive support services to help people overcome addiction and mental health challenges.
Community Hubs: These spaces will provide accessible resources for addiction treatment and mental health support, making it easier for people to get help before reaching a crisis point.
Government Transition: By improving the coordination between city services, we aim to create a safety net that catches people before they fall into the cycle of addiction and homelessness.
Economic Growth: Our focus on creating inclusive job opportunities includes programs to help those in recovery re-enter the workforce, providing a path to stability.
As mayor, I'm committed to implementing these initiatives to ensure that no one else has to experience the loss I did. I want to create a Portland where everyone can find the help and support they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives regardless of their struggles.
As Portland's mayor, I would strive to embody this innovative spirit across all our initiatives:
Rejuvenating Portland: Like Guericke, we'll create attractions that put Portland on the map, from vibrant community spaces to world-class arts and culture events.
Economic Growth: We'll rebrand Portland, creating innovative spaces that attract businesses and visitors alike, showcasing our city's unique strengths.
Public Safety: Implementing forward-thinking community policing and modernizing our justice system to ensure Portland is known for its safety and fairness.
Government Transition: Bringing services closer to residents and improving customer service, making Portland a model of efficient, accessible governance.
Vera Katz, one of Portland's most influential mayors and mentor to me, once said, "I want Portland to be the city that other cities look to and say, 'That's how you do it.’” This sentiment resonates deeply with me. A mayor must nurture the city, balancing the needs of current residents with a vision for the future.
The mayor's role is to be the visionary leader, setting the tone and direction for the city's future. This involves building consensus among council members, working closely with the city manager on implementation, and being the public face of the city's initiatives.
Sophia Coppola once said, "I think you have to have a real point of view that's your own. You have to tell it the way you see it." This perfectly encapsulates the mayor's role in our system. While the city manager ensures day-to-day operations run smoothly, the mayor must focus on developing and articulating a clear vision for Portland's future.
This partnership reminds me of a quote from Disney's "The Princess and the Frog," where Tiana says, "The only way to get what you want in this world is through hard work." In the context of city governance, this hard work involves not just the mayor's administrative efforts, but also the combined efforts of the mayor and council working together.
In my plan for Portland (joshforportland.com/plan), I emphasize the importance of collaboration across all levels of government. Here's how this would look in practice:
Regular Communication: Holding frequent meetings with council members to discuss ongoing projects, challenges, and opportunities.
Transparency: Keeping the council fully informed about the administration's activities and seeking their input on major decisions.
Respect for Roles: Recognizing the council's legislative authority while exercising executive leadership in day-to-day operations.
Shared Goals: Aligning on key priorities like public safety, economic growth, and rejuvenating Portland.
Community Engagement: Working together to engage citizens, ensuring diverse voices are heard in decision-making processes.
This sense of community is at the heart of my vision for Portland, reflected in my plan at joshforportland.com/plan:
Rejuvenating Portland: We're focusing on creating more vibrant spaces and community hubs where these chance encounters can flourish. By enhancing our parks and public areas, we're nurturing the environment for these connections to happen organically.
Public Safety: Our community policing initiatives aim to foster that same sense of familiarity and trust between residents and law enforcement, making our neighborhoods feel even more like home.
Economic Growth: By empowering small businesses, we're supporting the local shops and cafes that often serve as meeting points for neighbors, strengthening our community bonds.
Government Transition: Bringing city services closer to neighborhoods will create more opportunities for residents to engage with each other and their local government.
Portland's friendly spirit isn't just a nice-to-have – it's a crucial part of our city's identity and resilience. It's what helps us weather tough times and celebrate our successes together. As mayor, I'm committed to preserving and nurturing this aspect of our city life, ensuring that future generations can experience the same warmth and connection that keeps our love for Portland alive.
Public Safety: We must roll back ineffective policies that have led to increased crime and decreased community trust. By implementing innovative community policing strategies and modernizing our criminal justice approach, we'll create a safer Portland for all residents.
Economic Growth: Previous leadership has stifled our economic potential. We'll focus on empowering small businesses, creating inclusive job opportunities, and enforcing development agreements to ensure promised community benefits are delivered. This will help bring back the economic vitality our city needs.
Rejuvenating Portland: To reignite the fervor in our city, we'll invest in vibrant spaces, tackle persistent issues like homelessness and traffic, and nurture our arts and culture scene. These efforts will help restore pride in our neighborhoods and attract new residents and businesses.
Government Transition: We need to overhaul the inefficient and unresponsive governance of the past. By improving customer service, enhancing accessibility, and fostering transparency, we'll rebuild trust between City Hall and the people it serves.
Community Engagement: To ensure Portland's future isn't ignored, we'll create more opportunities for citizen involvement through community hubs, regular town halls, and participatory decision-making processes.
Public Safety: We'll work closely with state agencies to modernize our criminal justice system and enhance community policing, aligning our strategies with statewide best practices.
Economic Growth: Partnering with the state is essential for attracting businesses, creating inclusive job opportunities, and securing funding for innovative spaces. We'll advocate for policies that empower our small businesses and support Portland's unique economic needs.
Rejuvenating Portland: State support is vital for addressing homelessness, improving infrastructure, and enhancing our arts scene. We'll ensure state resources are effectively utilized to revitalize our neighborhoods and public spaces.
Government Transition: As we improve our city's governance, we'll seek guidance from state-level experts and align our processes with state requirements, creating a more efficient and accessible local government.
Disaster Preparedness: We'll coordinate closely with state emergency management agencies to ensure our city's preparedness plans are integrated with state-level strategies.
Educational Partnerships: Collaborating with state educational institutions will help us develop programs that prepare our workforce for the future and foster innovation.
This relationship should be a two-way street. While we'll seek support and resources from the state, we'll also contribute by sharing our successes and serving as a model for urban development and community engagement.
Public Safety: We'll seek federal grants and expertise to support our community policing efforts and modernize our justice system.
Economic Growth: Collaborating with federal agencies can help attract businesses, create jobs, and secure funding for innovative urban development projects.
Rejuvenating Portland: Federal support is vital for addressing homelessness, improving infrastructure, and enhancing our arts scene. We'll advocate for resources to revitalize our neighborhoods.
Government Transition: We'll align our local processes with federal requirements to ensure efficient access to national programs and funding opportunities.
Disaster Preparedness: Coordination with FEMA and other federal agencies is crucial for comprehensive emergency planning.
Environmental Initiatives: We'll work with federal environmental agencies to support our sustainability goals and green initiatives.
While we'll seek federal support, we'll also contribute by sharing our successes and serving as a model for progressive urban policies. We'll advocate for Portland's interests at the federal level, ensuring our city's voice is heard in national discussions.
Community Policing: We'll work closely with law enforcement to implement community policing initiatives, fostering stronger connections between officers and the neighborhoods they serve.
Modernizing Criminal Justice: The mayor's office will collaborate with police leadership to modernize our approach to justice, focusing on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism while maintaining public safety.
Enhancing TriMet Safety: We'll partner with law enforcement to improve safety on our public transit system, ensuring all Portlanders feel secure.
Transparency and Accountability: The mayor's office will support law enforcement while ensuring clear mechanisms for oversight and accountability to maintain public trust.
Resource Allocation: We'll work to ensure law enforcement has the necessary resources while also investing in social services that address root causes of crime.
Crisis Response: Collaborating on innovative approaches to mental health crises and homelessness, potentially including specialized response teams.
Training and Development: Supporting ongoing training for officers in de-escalation techniques, cultural competency, and community engagement.
The mayor's office should provide clear policy direction while respecting the expertise of law enforcement professionals. Regular meetings, joint community outreach efforts, and collaborative problem-solving sessions will be key to maintaining this productive relationship.
My plan, available at joshforportland.com/plan, outlines several initiatives to enhance transparency and accountability:
Government Transition: We'll modernize city systems to improve efficiency and make it easier to track and report on government activities. This includes bringing services closer to neighborhoods, creating more touchpoints for citizen oversight and feedback.
Economic Growth: By enforcing development agreements, we'll hold developers accountable to their commitments, ensuring promised community benefits are delivered.
Public Safety: Our community policing initiatives will increase transparency in law enforcement, fostering trust between police and residents.
Rejuvenating Portland: Through community hubs, we'll create spaces for regular town halls and public meetings, ensuring diverse voices are heard and officials remain accountable.
Educational Partnerships: Collaborating with local institutions, we'll foster a more informed citizenry capable of engaging meaningfully with government processes.
Disaster Preparedness: Our plans for emergencies will be clearly communicated, allowing citizens to understand and provide input on our readiness strategies.
Customer Service Improvement: By treating citizens as customers, we'll create a culture of responsiveness and accountability in city government.
Accessibility: Ensuring all city services and information are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability or financial status.
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
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