Mayor Sam Adams will not run for re-election

KOIN:

In an open letter to Portlanders, Mayor Sam Adams announced Friday he will not seek re-election.After pondering on the topic during a week-long “staycation,” the mayor said the choice was clear, help move Portland forward right now or focus his efforts full-time into a new campaign.An excerpt from the 600-word letter:My best service to Portland will be to complete the platform of change and improvement you elected me to deliver: Creating jobs, increasing the high school graduation rate, and making Portland the most sustainable city, with the most equal of opportunities. This work is well underway, and I'm committed to making every day of the next 17 months count.The announcement opens up a race that already has two noteworthy candidates, former Portland City Commissioner Charlie Hales and New Seasons co-founder Eileen Brady.When elected in 2008, Adams was the only openly gay mayor of a large U.S. city. Shortly after taking office he admitted to a sexual relationship with Beau Breedlove, an intern at City Hall.Adams' reluctance to admit the relationship caused a stir post-election, even prompting several failed efforts to force a new election.Prior to being elected mayor, Adams was elected to the city council and also was a staffer for former Mayor Vera Katz.

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