August 11, 2020

Choose Optimism Over Fear

Dear Portland,

I grew up in a working class, union family. I worked my way from the service industry to founding a small business, and then I leaned into being an urban policy nerd at PSU. My campaign is making history with small-donor transparency that keeps us free of corporate influence. When the Portland Mercury endorsed me in May, they said they “endorse candidates with the values and vision that we believe are best for Portland’s future. In the mayor’s race, that candidate is Sarah Iannarone.”

But when progressive women run for office, the right wing tries to scare voters about us. We see it every day at the national level, and now we are seeing it at the local level. The status quo is afraid of a progressive woman who speaks her mind and stands up to bullies. Last week, I went on KGW to hold Ted Wheeler accountable for his failed leadership. And the reporter tried to pin protest graffiti, and even arson on me! Of course, I stand against crime and arson, and I told them as much. But I stumbled as the reporter repeatedly interrupted me while I was trying to give a thoughtful answer. Then they printed a headline saying I “decline to denounce violence.” Today, there are alt-right trolls who saw that headline emailing and threatening to murder me, and worse. I have asked the station to correct the record, because headlines have consequences. I'm waiting to hear their response.

This week, I need my supporters to get loud. Not only because the Blazers are half a game from the playoffs, but because the status quo wants to deceive voters about this campaign, and scare them into four more years for our unaccountable, law-breaking Mayor. Anyone who knows me has seen me testify at City Council for years, engage humbly in peaceful protests, voluntarily clean up small businesses when they’re unfairly targeted by vandals, and advance the ideas that will lead the city through the COVID recovery. This week, I just need you to have my back.

Onward,

Sarah Iannarone
Candidate for Portland Mayor