ABOUT JOHN MDCONALD

John McDonald is a TriMet service worker, award-winning journalist, published author, transportation professional, and proud member of ATU Local 757 who believes Portland is ready for a comeback.

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A graduate of Troy University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, John brings a combination of frontline workforce experience, public service, journalism, and transportation expertise to his campaign for Portland City Council, District 4.

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John knows what it takes to keep communities moving because he has spent much of his career doing exactly that. He has operated light-rail vehicles, managed bus fleets serving national parks, and worked within Portland’s transportation system. His experience has given him a street-level understanding of the infrastructure, public services, and workers that keep a major city functioning every day.

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John's record of civic involvement extends from Florida to Oregon. John previously served on the Bay County Community Health Task Force, as Vice Chairman of the Bay County, FL, Democratic Party, and as a Portland Bureau of Transportation Ambassador.

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John is running for City Council because he believes Portland can once again be a city that works: a city with clean and safe streets, thriving neighborhoods, reliable transportation, affordable housing, good-paying jobs, and an economy that creates opportunity for everyone.

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His priorities include keeping the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland and modernizing the Moda Center, ensuring the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project remains on track, repairing Portland’s streets, improving the cleanliness and reliability of the transit system, and recruiting businesses that will create good-paying jobs and invest in Portland’s workforce.

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John also believes city government must be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. He supports closely examining departmental budgets and city facilities to identify inefficiencies and root out waste, fraud, and abuse.

On homelessness, John believes Portland needs both compassion and accountability. He supports reevaluating how the city contracts for homeless services, limiting unnecessary new contracts, and demanding measurable results from existing service providers while continuing to address the need for affordable housing.

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At the heart of John’s campaign is a belief that Portland is poised for a renaissance. Achieving it will require bringing government, labor, business, neighborhoods, and community organizations to the same table and holding everyone, including City Hall, accountable for delivering results.

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John understands the people who keep Portland running because he is one of them.

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Portland can come back. Portland can work again. And District 4 can help lead the way.