Six candidates vying to be the next mayor of Portland converged at OPB for a live debate on Think Out Loud Friday.
The candidates included: Jules Bailey, Multnomah County commissioner and former state lawmaker; Sean Davis, veteran, author, community college teacher; Sarah Iannarone, owner of the Arleta Bakery and Library Cafe and assistant program director at First Stop Portland; David Schor, assistant attorney general for the Oregon Department of Justice; Jessie Sponberg, activist and wedding officiant; Ted Wheeler, Oregon state treasurer and former Multnomah County chair.
Host Dave Miller asked the candidates about an array of different issues including homelessness, the Portland housing crisis, the aftermath of a pending Cascadia subduction zone earthquake and much more.
During the last segment of the debate, Miller instituted a lightning round of either/or questions that caught some of the candidates off guard.
Question: Fluoride or no fluoride?
David Schor: We don't need it in our water, our water is used for a lot more things than keeping our teeth clean.
Sarah Iannarone: Fluoride.
Jules Bailey: Fluoride.
Ted Wheeler: Fluoride.
Sean Davis: No fluoride.
Jessie Sponberg: It should be a no brainer, a bio-accumulative neurotoxin, um, no, pass.
Question: Apple or FBI?
David Schor: Apple
Sarah Iannarone: I don't know.
Jules Bailey: Apple
Ted Wheeler: Apple
Sean Davis: Apple
Jessie Sponberg: A bio-accumulative neurotoxin!
Question: Mount Hood or Oregon Coast?
David Schor: Well, as an employee of one of the resorts on our mountain, I have to say mountain.
Sarah Iannarone: I need the mountain.
Jules Bailey: I can't ski, so I'm going to go ocean.
Ted Wheeler: Mountain.
Sean Davis: I can't choose, I love both.
Jessie Sponberg: I'm daydreaming right now about being on the foothills of that mountain drinking the waterfalls that come from Bull Run.
Question: Pot or pinot?
David Schor: I'll go with the pot.
Sarah Iannarone: I drink bourbon.
Jules Bailey: I enjoy a pinot.
Ted Wheeler: Pinot.
Sean Davis: Pot. I don't usually smoke, but when I do it's with very interesting people.
Jessie Sponberg: (shows a vapor pen).