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In a letter sent to financial backers of onetime City Council candidate Vadim Mozyrsky, his rival Rene Gonzalez asked for their financial support to unseat incumbent Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s not an unusual tactic after a close primary. What is noteworthy, however, is how Gonzalez characterized Mozyrsky\u2019s stance toward the November runoff.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a close primary election, and our campaign very narrowly prevailed against a great candidate in Vadim Mozyrsky… I have since met with Vadim and we both agree: Portland\u2019s future is at stake in this election,\u201d Gonzalez wrote. \u201cWe now face the task of forging a coalition to unseat Jo Ann Hardesty in November, and we can\u2019t do it without your help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mozyrsky tells WW<\/i> he was surprised to hear about the letter, because he felt it implied a strong endorsement. And Mozyrsky hasn\u2019t endorsed in the race yet. In fact, Mozyrsky says he\u2019s \u201cnot leaning towards either one yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope Rene trying to capitalize on my name is not an indication of desperation on the part of his campaign,\u201d Mozyrsky says. \u201cIt\u2019s disappointing he didn\u2019t contact me about this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mozyrsky says he indeed met recently with Gonzalez but has also reached out to Hardesty\u2019s office for a meeting. He says he\u2019s open to hearing about their respective platforms before he makes a decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the people that are supporting me are probably leaning towards supporting Rene, and others I\u2019ve talked to are supporting Jo Ann,\u201d Mozyrsky says.<\/p>\n
Gonzalez tells WW<\/i> he wasn\u2019t implying an endorsement from Mozyrsky.<\/p>\n
If Vadim had endorsed at that time, we would have used that term in the letter. But that isn\u2019t what this is about. We view his primary supporters as natural allies and approached them in a way that reflects both our mutual alignment on issues that matter, and exactly how important they are in the coalition to unseat Jo Ann Hardesty in November.<\/p>\n
In the letter, Gonzalez, a lawyer and small business owner, pushes the message he\u2019s used as fuel against Hardesty since the beginning: She divides the city and only speaks for a small group of loud and disruptive activists who are eroding the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer supporters are deeply motivated and committed to keeping her in office at all costs,\u201d Gonzalez wrote. \u201cThey are the same group of loud extremists that shout down concerned residents in public meetings and work to silence neighborhood groups and community organizations that dare speak out against them.\u201d<\/p>\n