Soren for Portland

09/02/2024

Dear Supporters,

Thank you, for everything. I cannot say that enough. This journey has been accentuated with positive interactions with Portlanders, and I am heartened by the sheer optimism I have felt from those who are concerned for their fellow Portlanders, and for the future they know we can build. Despite its vocal detractors, one cannot help but feel that we are reaching an inflection point in the city’s political future.

Unfortunately, due to a personal tragedy, I will not be able to continue on this path, and I must announce that I am suspending my campaign for city council in 2024. I know that, regrettably, I will not be able to dedicate the time Portland deserves to the campaign trail in the coming months, and want to spend the time I have helping to foster productive conversation amongst the remaining candidates, and continuing to push for practical, progressive, change.

I could not be more committed to Portland’s future. A few months ago, at the PSU farmer’s market, I spoke with a young Portlander experiencing homelessness. They expressed a need for safety, security, and, most of all, the feeling that Portland’s leadership cares. Their story, among the dozens of others I gathered in conversations with Portlanders across District 4, is why, despite suspending my campaign, I am committed to continuing to engage in this election.

We have an awesome slate of candidates running this Fall, that have both the experience, and the values, to make a difference in the city. Most importantly, throughout the many productive and collaborative conversations I have been a part of, it has struck me that most candidates feel the importance and urgency of the mandate 2025’s city council will have. While there are many exceptional candidates, each voter will get to rank their top six in the coming election. If you are looking for other candidates to get behind, I am currently recommending the following folks for your research and consideration:
Chad Lykins
Sarah Silkie
Andra Vltavin
Mitch Green
Lisa Freeman
Eric Zimmerman

As we approach the election, I will release more formal endorsements, and you can expect to hear from me again soon. Thank you, again, for all of your support, and I cannot wait to help serve you in forging Portland’s future.

-Soren Underdahl

04/23/2024

Register to Vote!

The deadline for registering ahead of the May 21st Primary Election is coming up fast. While City Council races aren't on the ballot, there are a number of important races coming up!

04/16/2024

I am proud to stand in support of the Portland Street Response with Friends of Portland Street Response. PSR is an innovative and crucial aspect of our Public Safety system.

Portland’s Small Donor Election program makes grassroots Portland support the strongest voice in the election by providing a 9-to-1 match to your $20 donation. Help us reach the match today by donating at www.sorenforportland.com or www.cesystems.tech/campaign/sorenforportland

04/10/2024

Had a great time talking to voters at the PSU Farmer's market on Saturday. You can find me there most weekends!

Portland's Small Donor Election program makes sure that grassroots donors have the largest voice in the upcoming election. Your donation could be matched up to 9-to-1. Make your voice heard and donate today! https://www.cesystems.tech/campaign/sorenforportland

04/03/2024

Donate today at https://www.cesystems.tech/campaign/sorenforportland and help us reach our goal of 100 local donors by the end of April!

03/27/2024

19,857, the largest Thorns Home Opener on record!

Every year the amazing support for our exceptional team grows, and it's a great example of the positive communities growing here in Portland.

These kinds of culture and community building centers are what we should continue to invest in and foster in our city, because it is through this strength that we can rejuvenate our central city.

That is a mandate I'll take into the City Council, ensuring that our new government is using its newfound structure to partner more effectively with the organizations that can make a difference, like the Thorns.

Rose City till I Die!

03/23/2024

Thanks to the Portland Gray Panthers for putting on such a thoughtful and engaging conversation this morning! Great ideas were thrown around about housing, governance, and how we effectively steward the city through the change control needed with the upcoming charter reform. It was great to see so many engaged constituents and fellow candidates here in downtown!

03/12/2024

This is an amazing development, and a great example of what we need more of in this city. Unfortunately, we'll need 50x this capacity to cover the current demand, and we need it yesterday.

Thats a part of why I'm running for City Council, to provide the urgency in government that gets this done in a matter of months, not years. Show your support at SorenforPortland.com

Emmons Place, sponsored by Northwest Housing Alternative (NHA), includes 144 studios offered at or below 30% to 60% of the area median income.

03/08/2024

I want to talk about an uncomfortable subject, money.

Let’s start with the obvious, there is too much of it in politics. Ever since Citizen’s United, the influence of corporations and the ultra-wealthy has been disproportionate and has disenfranchised the average American.

Which is why Portland’s Small Donor Election program (https://www.portland.gov/smalldonorelections) is so important! The SDE is an optional program that flips the traditional campaign finance script, by limiting the size of donations, and matching small, local contributions, 9-to-1.

Portlanders, this is where I need your help. The reality is that money is an essential part of running a campaign, and it is a crucial part of how we will get our message out, and make a real difference in the city. This is where I need your help. We need at least 250 local donors to contribute as little as 5$, yes, less than a cup of coffee, in order to participate in the program. If you can, please donate to Soren for Portland, and make sure your voice is heard in this crucial local election. Click this link to donate: https://www.cesystems.tech/campaign/sorenforportland

Thanks for your support!
https://www.sorenforportland.com/

P.s. Oregon just passed an amazing new law limiting political contributions, starting in 2027! https://apnews.com/article/oregon-campaign-finance-reform-contribution-limits-dd18872db0ca3c2b11387cdee8b0744d

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03/02/2024

Dear Portlanders,

This is what we are fighting. The median household income in Portland in 2022 was $85,876, basically half the required income to own a home in Portland. At the very root of the housing issues we face in Portland is the lack of capacity. We MUST develop affordable housing capacity by updating city-zoning, fast-tracking projects that produce net-positive units in the city.

The housing market is a contentous point in Portland, and recent data doesn't help - indicating that aspiring Portland homeowners need to be making over $161,00

03/01/2024

Want a chance to meet Soren and several other candidates for District 4? Come to Portal Tea in Sellwood tomorrow at 10 AM!