Looking over the Portland Mayorial race, and as imperfect as it is I will take a look at the wikipedia articles on candidates Sho Dozono and Sam Adams to help guide a decision.

In 1976, Dozono joined his father-in-law’s business Azumano Travel. He became president in 1981, and owner in 1987. Dozono and his wife Loen have five children.^[2] In 2002 Dozona was awarded the ASTA’s 2002 Travel Agent of the Year Award at the Society’s World Travel Congress to honor his work in rebuilding the travel industry following September 11 attacks.^[3]

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Dozono organized the “Flight for Freedom”, a group of Oregonians who flew to New York City in response to Mayor Rudy Giuliani‘s plea to keep the city’s tourist economy afloat.^[4] The trip was led by then-Mayor of Portland Vera Katz, and participants reportedly ranged from 800^[4] to over 1000^[5], far beyond Dozono’s expectation of 200.^[4] Similar “Flight of Friendship” trips were organized to Thailand following the 2004 tsunami^[6] and to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.^[7]

Dozono has not previously held public office of any kind. As a prominent member of the Portland business community, Dozono is running on a platform of fiscal responsibility.^[8] On social issues, Dozono has professed to hold progressive values,^[8] and has numerous civic awards and achievements.^[2] Current Portland mayor Tom Potter has endorsed Dozono’s candidacy, as well as former mayor, Vera Katz.^[9]

^{Impressive credentials, befitting the task of Portland’s Mayor.  But take a look at Sam Adams’s credentials!}

Samuel Adams (September 27 [O.S. September 16] 1722^[2] – October 2, 1803) was an American statesman, politician, writer and political philosopher, brewer, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.^[3] Adams was instrumental in garnering the support of the colonies for rebellion against Great Britain, eventually resulting in the American Revolution, and was also one of the key architects of the principles of American republicanism that shaped American political culture.

Adams established himself as one of the voices of opposition to British control in the colonies; he argued that the colonies should withdraw from Great Britain and form a new government.^[4] Adams called for the colonists to defend their rights and liberties, and led town meetings in which he drafted written protests against Parliament‘s colonial tax measures such as the Stamp Act of 1765. Adams played a prominent role during protests against the Stamp Act, and in the events of the Boston Tea Party in 1773. He participated in the Continental Congress.^[5] He also advocated the adoption of the Declaration of Independence at the Second Continental Congress.

After the United States declared its independence in 1776, Adams helped write the Massachusetts Constitution with John Adams, his second cousin, and James Bowdoin.^[6] Afterwards, Adams helped draft the Articles of Confederation.^[7] Following the end of the American Revolutionary War, he ran for the House of Representatives in the 1st United States Congressional election, but was unsuccessful in his bid. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in 1789,^[8] and after John Hancock‘s death in 1793, Adams served as the acting governor until he was elected governor in January of the following year.^[9]

Sorry Sho Dozono, nothing wrong with you, but looking at these two candidates, it is crystal clear that Sam Adams — Revolutionary Founding Father of the United States — has the more impressive credentials.  In fact, Portland can look forward to a New Golden Age with Revolutionary Era Founding Father Sam Adams leading our city’s government, and the Norse God of Poetry and War holding down the Middle for our city’s professional basketball team.

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