Sometimes when you race, you win. Sometimes just finishing is its own accomplishment.

By now it’s been a week since Election Day, and while our amazing Multnomah County Elections Office staff are still counting votes, we know enough to know that I have not secured a seat on our next City Council. Running for office during this historic year for Portland elections has been the experience of a lifetime. I’ve met some incredible people - some of whom WILL serve on our next City Council! - and learned so much about this aspect of our democratic process. I am proud of both the campaign we ran and to finish in the top 10 (7th at last vote count!) in a crowded race with 30 candidates. We ran a scrappy campaign marked by grit and perseverance, powered by regular Portlanders. We told the truth all the time, and we upheld our values in every decision we made. Here are just a few of the things we accomplished over the last 9 months:

• I participated in nearly 200 meetings, candidate forums, interviews, events, and house parties.

• We qualified for Portland’s Small Donor Elections program and raised $65k from nearly 500 individual donors (that’s you! thank you!).

• We submitted hundreds of pages of endorsement questionnaires, which helped me learn and refine my views on topics critical to our city’s future, while earning the confidence of trusted organizations and individuals, for whom I am immensely grateful.

• We knocked over 2000 doors, sent 3000 postcards, and distributed 150 yard signs throughout D4.

• We got 11,000 unique visitors to our website (thank you website guru Ben!), made nearly 50 videos and ads (thank you writer, director, editor, and producer Ben!), and garnered nearly 2 million digital ad impressions on these videos (thank you campaign communications strategist Ben!).

Most importantly, we got to talk about issues that are important to us, like how to effectively navigate government transitions and build confidence in new political systems, modernizing our first responder system to send the right responder to the right call, investing in violence and crime prevention, the urgency of taking bold action to address our climate emergency, the need to address structural racism and inequity within City government, and treating our unhoused neighbors with dignity while working to ensure everyone has housing they can afford. Our message made a difference, and I believe Portland chose its next leaders well. I look forward to supporting our new Council, Mayor, and City Administrator as they lead our Rose City forward into the future.

There are too many people to thank, but I’ll name a few.

First of all, everyone who worked so tirelessly for so long on Charter Reform, to give Portland the candidates and City Council it deserves.

To everyone who donated, from $5 to $500, and to the amazing staff at the Small Donor Elections program who worked overtime this election season to support people-powered campaigns.

To my dear friend Lori Escobar, who designed my campaign logo and critically shaped our campaign brand. Check out her art at Loriesque Studios!

To everyone who volunteered to knock doors, deliver yard signs, write post cards, and house house parties.

To my core team who devoted so much time, energy, and expertise to our campaign over so many months an amidst your own busy lives: Andre, Jamey, Clara, Amy and - because like every good TV show, we had our own (more) successful candidate spinoff - Sameer Kanal, one of our next City Councilors for D2!

To my incredible Campaign Manager, Jenn - who put in more time than any of us could have imagined, penned the best, most entertaining newsletters, and without whose strategic instincts we would not have survived. We are bound for life now. Next stop: matching tattoos.

Last, but not least, to my family. To our kids, Theodore and Eleanor, who attended more campaign events than they wanted to, but brought joy to every single one they participated in. And to my partner Ben, who was a true partner in this endeavor in every imaginable way from the day I mentioned I was thinking about it: A key strategic advisor, full-time communications director, primary caregiver and parent, my rock of stability, emotional support through the high highs and low lows, my biggest fan and cheerleader. You all made more sacrifices than can be counted, and I literally could not have done it without you.

In our first campaign newsletter, I said that throughout my career, I’ve tried to capitalize on windows of opportunity to serve where I am best able to use my skills and expertise to help. I believed I was uniquely qualified to serve on City Council during this critical moment for Portland, but Portland is in good hands now. Given the results of our national election, perhaps there is something else I’m meant to do to use my skills and expertise to protect democracy and the people who will need us most these next 2 years.

After a good measure of celebration of a race well-run and catching up on sleep, reading, TV shows (new season of The Diplomat anyone??), and crossword puzzles, I’ll find my next opportunity to serve, to fight oppression and exclusion, and to build safe and stable communities. There is plenty of work to be done, and I’ll be in the arena.

Thank you for everything you’ve given me. I have more tools now for whatever is next, and for that, I am immensely grateful.

Lisa