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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Habitat for Humanity volunteers raise walls and hope for Medford family ... Gold Hill residents say city dawdled as streets flooded ... El Nino's effects remain uncertain for Southern Oregon ... Habitat for Humanity volunteers raise walls and hope for Medford family ... Gold Hill residents say city dawdled as streets flooded ... El Nino's effects remain uncertain for Southern Oregon ... POLITICS Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler running for Portland mayor Comment By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Sep. 9, 2015 at 3:41 PM By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Sep. 9, 2015 at 3:41 PM » Social News PORTLAND — Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler announced Wednesday that he's running for Portland mayor, pitching himself as a more liberal and more accomplished alternative to incumbent Charlie Hales. Wheeler faulted Hales for failing to deal with homelessness, rising housing prices and crumbling streets. "It's not enough to call yourself a progressive or an activist or a leader when so many of the basic things that make a community thriving and successful aren't getting done," Wheeler told a crowd of supporters on a southeast Portland rooftop overlooking downtown. In a statement, Hales touted the city's 4.8 percent unemployment rate and said the city budget has improved from a $21 million deficit to a $49 million surplus during his first term. "Most importantly, we've done this while staying true to Portland's values, doing our part to fight climate change and strengthening the relationship between police and the community," Hales said. "There is a lot more work to do, but this is a record that all of us can be proud of." Wheeler and Hales are both Democrats, though the office is nonpartisan and their party affiliations will not appear on the ballot. Wheeler's announcement was widely expected. He is prevented by term limits from seeking another term as treasurer. He considered a run for governor in 2018 before John Kitzhaber stepped down in February, giving Gov. Kate Brown the power of incumbency and a clearer path to the Democratic nomination. Wheeler comes from a wealthy Oregon family that built its fortune in the timber industry. He earned degrees from Stanford, Columbia and Harvard universities and had a career in business before turning to politics with a successful 2006 run for Multnomah County Commission. In 2010, then-Gov. Ted Kulongoski appointed Wheeler treasurer after Ben Westlund died in office. Wheeler was elected to the position in 2010 and 2012. By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Sep. 9, 2015 at 3:41 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501