Mayorial candidates stay on point in televised debate

The Portland mayoral candidates— businessman Sho Dozono and City Commissioner Sam Adams—faced off in a televised debate tonight, and touched on issues ranging from the physical plant of City Hall, to education and transportation funding.

In general, both exemplified the styles by which they have come to be known: Adams was full of policy ins and outs, while Dozono stressed his record of business success.

Adams noted a couple of times in a couple of different ways that his opponent hadn’t exactly answered a questions, and Dozono did meander around a bit; when asked specifically whether Portlanders should have had the opportunity to vote on the Burnside extension, he instead took the opportunity to deride the project, while Adams’ answer was replete with figures and comparisons.

Dozono has continually stressed that he is not an insider like Adams, that people want new leadership and he is the candidate to bring it. He has highlighted his ability to build Portland’s reputation as a business-friendly city, and in the debate tonight, he continued to sell his “proven track record.” Panelist Randy Neves even asked Dozono about the criticism that he does not readily offer full and detailed policy issues. The candidate said that his style has always been collaborative, and that he didn’t have the information that Adams might, he would bring in the “best minds in the community” to evaluate issues.

Adams also stayed true to themes that have sounded throughout his campaign: he discussed a three point program to improve the education system and different transportation measures.