2015 Portland, Maine, mayoral election explained
| Type: | Presidential |
| Country: | Maine |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 2011 Portland, Maine, mayoral election |
| Previous Year: | 2011 |
| Next Election: | 2019 Portland, Maine, mayoral election |
| Next Year: | 2019 |
| Election Date: | November 3, 2015 |
| Image1: | Ethan Strimling 2016 (4a).png |
| Candidate1: | Ethan Strimling |
| Party1: | Nonpartisan candidate |
| Popular Vote1: | 9,162 |
| Percentage1: | 51.1% |
| Candidate2: | Michael F. Brennan |
| Party2: | Nonpartisan candidate |
| Popular Vote2: | 6,882 |
| Percentage2: | 38.4% |
| Image3: | RiverIcon-Nothing.svg |
| Candidate3: | Tom MacMillan |
| Party3: | Nonpartisan candidate |
| Popular Vote3: | 1,880 |
| Percentage3: | 10.5% |
| Mayor |
| Before Election: | Michael F. Brennan |
| After Election: | Ethan Strimling |
Portland, Maine, held an election for mayor on November 3, 2015.[1] It was the second election since Portland voters approved a citywide referendum changing the city charter to recreate an elected mayor position in 2010.[2]
The new citizen-elected mayor serves full-time in the position for a four-year term, exercises the powers and duties enumerated in Article II Section 5 of the Portland City Charter,[3] be elected using instant-runoff voting,[4] and, like the rest of municipal government in Portland, be officially non-partisan.[5] Ethan Strimling defeated incumbent mayor Michael F. Brennan and fellow challenger Tom MacMillan.[6]
Candidates
Official candidates
[9]
Failed to make ballot
Declined
- Jill Duson, at-large city councilor and candidate for mayor in 2011[11]
- Cheryl Leeman, former city councilor for District 4 (1984–2014) and former mayor (1988–1989; 2000–2001)[10]
- Jon Hinck, at-large city councilor, former State Representative, and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012[11]
- David Marshall, city councilor for District 2 and candidate for mayor in 2011[11]
- Nicholas Mavodones, at-large city councilor, former mayor (1999–2000; 2006–2007; 2010–2011), and candidate for mayor in 2011 (endorsed Strimling)
- Jed Rathband, political consultant and candidate for mayor in 2011[11]
- Edward Suslovic, city councilor for District 3, former mayor (2007–2008), and former state representative (endorsed Strimling)[12]
Campaign
The day after Ethan Strimling announced his candidacy for mayor, a group of city councilors and school board members led by Nicholas Mavodones announced their opposition to the reelection of Mayor Brennan and support of Strimling. Mavodones cited division within the city and city government as well as an atmosphere of frustration under Brennan's leadership.[12] Borth incumbent Brennan and Strimling opposed a $15 minium wage while MacMillan ran on raising the city's minium wage to $15.
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s)
administered | class=small | Sample
size | Margin of
error | Michael
Brennan | Tom
MacMillan | Ethan
Strimling | Christopher
Vail | Other/
Undecided |
|---|
| Maine People's Resource Center | August 22–24, 2015 | 451 | ±4.5% | 21.4% | 4% | align=center | 46% | 2.2% | 26.4% | |
Election results
Election Night Results[13]
| Candidate | Votes | Votes % |
|---|
| Ethan Strimling | 9,162 | 51.1 |
| Michael Brennan | 6,882 | 38.4 |
| Thomas MacMillan | 1,880 | 10.5 |
| Total Votes | 17,924 | 100 | |
See also
External links
Notes and References
- http://usmayors.org/database_searchID.asp?idnumber=948 The U.S. Conference of Mayors: Meet the Mayors
- http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/why-portland-doesnt-have-an-elected-mayor_2010-09-27.html?searchterm=abraham+peck Maine Voices | Why Portland doesn't have an elected mayor by Abraham Peck
- http://www.portlandmaine.gov/citycode/chapter000.pdf Portland City Charter
- http://www.portlandvoters.com/rankchoicevoting.pdf Ranked Choice Voting
- http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2010/11/03/portland_maine_to_get_popularly_elected_mayor/ Portland, Maine, to get popularly elected mayor
- http://www.pressherald.com/2015/11/03/portland-mayoral-candidates-gather-with-supporters-as-votes-are-counted/ Brennan unseated by Strimling after one term as Portland mayor
- Web site: Portland mayor formally announces re-election bid. Portland Press Herald. Randy. Billings. June 3, 2015. June 16, 2015.
- News: Strimling to announce run for Portland mayor. August 18, 2015. WCSH6.com. August 18, 2015.
- Web site: Nomination Papers for November 2015. City of Portland. 28 August 2015.
- Web site: Portland councilor Edward Suslovic to challenge mayor in November election. Portland Press Herald. Randy. Billings. July 2, 2015. July 2, 2015.
- Web site: Who are Brennan's potential challengers in the mayoral race?. Bangor Daily News. Seth. Koenig. June 3, 2015. June 16, 2015.
- Web site: Portland elected officials rip Mayor Brennan, oppose his re-election. Bangor Daily News. Mario. Moretto. August 19, 2015. August 19, 2015.
- http://www.pressherald.com/2015-election-results/ 2015 Election Results
