Up for Debate: Hardesty vs. Smith for City Council

Who will be Portland's first African-American Councilwoman? Join City Club and AARP-Oregon for a debate between Jo Ann Hardesty and Loretta Smith as they make their case for why they are the best person to serve the city.

About the Candidates

Jo Ann Hardesty is most known for her 1995-2001 term as Oregon state representative (formerly Jo Ann Bowman), her weekly Thursday morning radio segment on KBOO, and her former role as NAACP Portland President. Hardesty is a community leader and activist with a long history of standing for the city’s most disadvantaged communities. She firmly believes that opportunities to thrive in Portland should not depend on someone’s zip code or background. Her campaign platform focuses on access to government, green and living wage jobs, affordable housing, and police reform.

Loretta Smith is a two-term Multnomah County Commissioner and has made working on behalf of our most vulnerable communities her priority. With three decades of experience fighting for real results, having worked for 22 years for Senator Ron Wyden and the past 7 years as a County Commissioner, Smith is committed to making Portland a city that works for everyone.

Moderator

Dr. Melody Rose is the 15th president of Marylhurst University and a nationally recognized scholar of women and politics. She has served as chancellor of the Oregon University System and in many different roles at Portland State University, culminating in her service as Vice Provost for Academic Programs & Instruction and Dean of Undergraduate Studies. She is also the founder and first director of the Center for Women, Politics & Policy.

Outside of work, Dr. Rose volunteers for education, civic engagement, and women’s organizations. She was a 2013 Portland Business Journal Women of Influence honoree and she received the 2010 Governor’s Women of Achievement Award. She served as president of City Club of Portland in 2011-12 and is an active member of the International Women’s Forum.

Sponsors