Editor’s note: Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Stay informed with OPB on the presidential race, key congressional battles and other local contests and ballot measures in Oregon and Southwest Washington at opb.org/elections.
Cristal Azul Otero, candidate for Portland City Council District 3, in an undated photo provided by the candidate.
Courtesy of the candidate
Name: Cristal Azul Otero
Neighborhood: Brooklyn
Renter/homeowner: Homeowner
Education: MSW, Portland State University, School of Social Work; MA, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Hallie Ford School of Graduate Studies; BA, The Evergreen State College; high school diploma, Vancouver School of Arts and Academics
Occupation: Program specialist senior, Joint Office of Homeless Services, Multnomah County
How long you’ve lived in the city of Portland: I grew up in Vancouver, WA, and have lived in Portland since 2015.
Age: 41
Pronouns: She/her
Portland is facing an historic election involving a new voting system and an unusually high number of candidates. Journalists at The Oregonian/OregonLive and Oregon Public Broadcasting share a goal of ensuring that Portland voters have the information they need to make informed choices, and we also know candidates’ time is valuable and limited.
That’s why the two news organizations teamed up this cycle to solicit Portland City Council candidates’ perspectives on the big issues in this election. Here’s what they had to say:
Related: What you need to know about voting in Oregon and Southwest Washington
For each of the following questions, we asked candidates to limit their answers to 150 words.
Name two existing city policies or budget items you’d make it a priority to change. Why did you select those and how do you plan to line up at least 7 votes on the council to make them happen? Please avoid broad, sweeping statements and instead provide details.
I propose repealing the city’s 2019 business tax increase and replacing it with a tiered tax structure. Businesses with revenues below $500,000 would pay a reduced 2% rate, while those above $2 million maintain the 2.6% rate. This ensures small businesses aren’t overburdened while still contributing fairly. Additionally, I would create a unified online portal for city and county tax submissions, streamlining the process and reducing complexity for businesses.
To combat the urban heat island effect, I propose increasing investment in tree planting, cool pavements, and solar canopies. Expanding tree coverage and installing cool pavements will lower surface temperatures, improve air quality, and reduce heat-related health risks, while solar canopies can generate renewable energy. These changes will advance Portland’s climate goals, The city currently lacks an aggressive strategy to fully capitalize on its valuable real estate assets. To address this, Portland should adopt an innovative revenue strategy by monetizing underutilized city properties.
What previous accomplishments show that you are the best pick in your district? Please be specific.
With over a decade of experience in housing-focused social services and government administration, I hold a master’s degree in social work specializing in advanced macro practice. As a program specialist senior and interim management analyst at the Multnomah County Joint Office of Homeless Services, I supported the implementation of supportive housing services, expanded culturally specific service providers and aligned regional strategies to reduce homelessness and address racial disparities. My oversight of budgets and coordination with Clackamas and Washington counties demonstrates my ability to lead complex, high-impact programs.
I am deeply committed to community engagement and racial equity, ensuring my work is inclusive and transformative for marginalized populations. My leadership has been recognized through awards like the Hallie Ford Merit Scholarship, Laurels Graduate Scholarship and the Hatfield Fellowship.
These accomplishments reflect my proven ability to deliver results, positioning me as the best choice to represent my district.
Related: Issues important to Oregon voters
Portland is on track to permit the fewest number of multifamily units in 15 years and remains thousands of units below what’s needed to meet demand. What steps would you take to dramatically and quickly increase the availability of housing?
While the city has rightly focused on affordable housing, we need to balance that with a unique strategy for multifamily homes, which often attract national corporations. We should prioritize local and regional developers.
The city is already working on pre-approved building plans for multifamily housing, and the first step should be to accelerate this effort and release the plans within the next six months. I propose creating a dedicated division within the Bureau of Development Services focused on multifamily projects for two years. This division would work with pre-approved third-party review firms to speed approvals, create a predictable timeline and adjust staffing to meet demand.
Shortening approval times is key because material costs fluctuate, and delays can make projects financially unviable.
The next City Council is going to have to make some very difficult decisions regarding what to fund and how. What essential services must the city provide and how should the city sustainably fund them?
The next City Council must continue funding essential services, including emergency response and environmental sustainability, while ensuring affordable housing and homeless services remain a top priority. These are critical for the city’s well-being and resilience but should be supported without further tax increases.
Portlanders have approved many tax measures in the past decade – supporting affordable housing, free preschool programs and green energy initiatives. Are there specific taxes or levies you want eliminated or would choose to not renew? Are there specific taxes or levies you would support creating? Why?
While Portlanders have approved important tax measures for affordable housing, preschool programs, and green energy, I believe we must avoid further tax increases. Instead, we should focus on monetizing underutilized city assets. By streamlining the tax structure, we can protect critical measures like the Metro supportive housing services tax, which is key to reducing street homelessness.
Rather than creating new taxes, I propose long-term leasing and public-private partnerships to transform vacant city spaces into revenue-generating ventures, such as retail, housing or mixed-use developments. This would provide a steady stream of income without raising taxes. I do not support renewing taxes that overly burden residents, especially when the city has untapped resources. By prioritizing these innovative revenue strategies, we can sustainably fund essential services and preserve vital programs like the Metro homeless services tax.
Related: Listen to 'OPB Politics Now'
Do you have any concerns with the changes coming to city elections and city governance? If so, what would you like to see change?
With Portland’s upcoming changes to city governance and elections, I’m both hopeful and cautious. The transition to a city administrator model — where council members focus on legislation and bureaus are run by professionals — has the potential to streamline services and improve outcomes for residents. However, I have concerns about the implementation of ranked choice voting in multi-member districts. This system, not yet tested in other major U.S. cities, could confuse voters, potentially leading to decreased trust if not carefully managed. Public education and clear communication will be critical for ensuring success.
The expansion of the City Council to 12 members also raises questions about cost. The added expenses for renovations and additional staff could strain the city’s already limited budget. In the face of these changes, we need to ensure fiscal responsibility while maintaining transparency and efficiency. I’ll be advocating for strong oversight to make sure this transition works.
For the five remaining questions, we asked candidates to answer in 50 words or fewer:
Do you favor arresting and jailing people who camp on public property in Portland who refuse repeated offers of shelter, such as the option to sleep in a city-designated tiny home cluster?
I do not support arresting or jailing people who camp on public property. With shelter beds for only half of the chronically homeless, we need more places for people to go — safe, dignified spaces where anyone would want to stay, not punitive measures.
Would you vote yes on a proposal to fund hundreds more police officers than the City Council has already authorized? Why or why not? How would the city pay for it?
I would not vote to fund hundreds more police officers. Instead, I support investing in clinical outreach teams with expertise in behavioral health, alongside community-based safety solutions. This approach leverages current investments in homeless services, focusing on mental health and housing to more effectively address public safety without increasing policing.
Do you support putting the Clean Energy Fund measure back on the ballot? What, if any changes, would you support?
I do not support putting the Clean Energy Fund measure back on the ballot at this time. We risk the public growing tired of additional taxes, jeopardizing critical projects. Instead, the city can better use funds for climate resilience. With improved accountability and metrics, I will support revisiting it.
Which would you prioritize: Creation of more protected bike lanes and priority bus lanes or improved surfacing of existing degraded driving lanes?
I would prioritize protected bike lanes and priority bus lanes, but I recognize the need for street maintenance, especially where people use wheelchairs and mobility aids. I support creating a dedicated process for residents to request urgent repairs, ensuring timely responses to improve accessibility and safety while advancing sustainable transportation.
Have the problems impacting downtown Portland received too much or too little attention from current city leaders? Why?
The downtown core is vital for generating tax revenue that supports the city and state, easing the tax burden on residents. While downtown has received attention, more focus is needed on livability outside downtown. In District 3, nearly half of households earn below $75,000, and neighborhoods need care and revitalization.