Portland School Board Races Heat Up

Three out of four Portland School Board races have two or more candidates as of this afternoon.

Today at 5 pm is the deadline for candidates to file for the May 17 election.

In Zone 1, the incumbent Ruth Adkins has two opponents: Larry Lawson, a network security manager, and Glen Livingston, a community activist and an exterior remodeling contractor.

Zone 2 is an open seat since incumbent David Wynde has opted not to run for a third term. Matt Morton, deputy director for the Portland-based National Indian Child Welfare Association, has filed to run. But so has Maggie Mashia, president of Jefferson High's alumni association and a vocal supporter of the North Portland school. So far at least, this appears to be the most competitive race of all.

In Zone 3, incumbent Bobbie Regan faces perennial local candidate Martha Perez, who most recently made a bid for Portland Commissioner Dan Saltzman's seat at City Hall last year.

Zone 4, currently represented by Dilafruz Williams, has only one candidate. Greg Belisle, a nonprofit manager with Impact Northwest, has filed to replace Williams, who won't run again.

In Portland Public Schools, candidates run to represent one of seven zones. But the elections are held citywide, meaning everyone in the district gets to vote for one candidate in all zones. The seats open in a staggered fashion. Some years, four seats are up for grabs. In other years, only three seats have elections. Board seats are unpaid.

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