Thread by @ourportland

BREAKING NEWS: Last night Ted Wheeler admitted that he loaned his own campaign $150,000 two weeks ago - a flagrantly illegal use of his own personal fortune to finance an election for Mayor.

The city charter is clear: “A Candidate or Candidate Committee may receive only the following Contributions during any Election Cycle: … (3) A loan balance of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) from the candidate;”

Wheeler’s loan to his own campaign is a blatant violation of the City Charter and election laws that over 87% of Portlanders voted to adopt. He’s trying to buy this election with his inheritance. He knows the people of Portland are ready to unseat him.

Ted Wheeler continues to violate laws designed to keep our elections free of corporate influence. After countless fines from the City Auditor, the Mayor has shown us that he believes himself above the law. This desperate attempt to buy an election must not be overlooked.

Wheeler is supposed to be the top law enforcement officer in the City. He’s shown himself incapable of following the law & incapable of enforcing the law equally. We must vote him out of office in the November 3rd election. Before then we must hold him accountable for his crimes

There are two things you can do right now: number 1: tell everyone you know that the current Mayor of Portland is breaking the law - again - to try to cling to power. This is absolutely unacceptable, illegal, and unethical.

2: Donate to the campaign poised to unseat him. Wheeler’s gambit is that you won’t care about this blatant violation of the law. He’s banking on you sitting this election out, so he can use his inherited wealth to buy the election. sarah2020.com/donate

My team just reviewed the record. This appears to be the largest single illegal contribution in the history of Portland. While out campaign is breaking records in volunteers and grassroots support, Wheeler is running an unprecedentedly corrupt campaign effort.