Meghan Moyer and Vadim Mozyrsky appear to be heading to a runoff for the Multnomah County Commission seat

Multnomah County Commission candidates Meghan Moyer and Vadim Mozyrsky appear to be headed to a fall runoff in the race to represent Portland’s west side.

In partial returns counted as of 10 p.m. Tuesday, Moyer has 44% of the vote in the five-way race and Mozyrksy, who ran unsuccessfully for Portland City Council in 2022, has 42%.

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One of them will succeed Commissioner Sharon Meieran, Speaker Jessica Vega Pederson’s most outspoken critic on the board, at a time when his politics and policies are expected to change. This year, all four of the board’s five positions, except for the chairmanship, were up for grabs.

Both major candidates pledged to quickly and efficiently address many issues facing Multnomah County — homelessness, record fentanyl overdose deaths and a lack of mental health resources among them.

Mozyrsky, 51, and Moyer, 44, also agreed that Meieran’s proposal to lower the county’s staffing requirements for ambulances would be an effective temporary fix to improve response times while they craft a long-term plan.

Also on the ballot were Kevin Fitts, who has long advocated for behavioral health resources in the state, and Multnomah County project manager and business owner Margot Wheeler. In partial counts as of 10:00 p.m., each of them had received about 5% of the vote.

The race comes at a pivotal time for Multnomah County, as it faces a record number of fentanyl overdoses, struggles to organize its homeless services and experiences dangerously slow ambulance response times. The district board also faces criticism of its Preschool for All program for a lack of available classroom space, despite ample funding available.

Until now, the campaigns have not attracted much attention, largely because strict campaign contribution limits approved by voters meant that candidates could not raise large sums.

Mozyrsky, a Social Security Administration judge since 2012, has taken a more Portland-oriented approach to county politics than his primary opponent. He sought to expand homeless shelters, expand affordable housing and create a concrete plan for the county’s proposed 24/7 detox center.

In her endorsement of Mozyrsky, Meieran said his background as an immigrant and experience as a judge would bring a unique voice to the commission. He also secured endorsements from former county commissioners Loretta Smith, Maria Rojo de Steffey and Diane McKeel, along with Portland Commissioners Mingus Mapps and Rene Gonzalez.

He raised $113,000, including $30,000 he borrowed himself. His donors included Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle, former gubernatorial candidate Betsy Johnson, district attorney candidate Nathan Vasquez, Willamette Democratic Women, real estate developers including Homer Williams, Thomas Brenneke, Greg Goodman and Jordan Schnitzer and unions including Liuna construction workers. Local 737 and IBEW Local 48 of Electricians.

Moyer’s work in politics and public policy spans two decades, first as a campaign manager, then a lobbyist for Service Employees International Union Local 503 and now as policy director at Disability Rights Oregon. She spearheaded legislation that banned shortened school days for students with disabilities and expanded access to Medicaid.

Moyer’s platform relied heavily on better leveraging state and federal resources to strengthen the county’s mental health and homelessness services. She had raised far less, at $32,000. Moyer boasted more support from former elected and current Democrats, including five members of the state legislature and former Gov. Kate Brown.

The former lobbyist also drew support from Metro councilors and several unions, including AFSCME 75 and SEIU Local 49 and 503, among others.

The potential November runoff is also likely to be a low-stakes race, as campaign finance limits do not allow double donations from contributors.

However, independent spending campaigns can play a key role. Rival political groups have signaled they are ready to spend money to advance candidates’ chances.

— Austin De Dios covers politics, programs and more in Multnomah County. Contact him at 503-319-9744, adedios@oregonian.com or @AustinDeDios.

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