FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 3, 2024

CONTACT: Deborah Scroggin, Elections Division Manager

Today, the City of Portland Auditor's Office issued a determination following an investigation into a complaint that Rene Gonzalez's campaign, Rene for Portland, violated campaign finance law.

On September 5, 2024, the Elections Division, within the Auditor's Office, received a complaint alleging that Rene Gonzalez's campaign violated Portland campaign finance law - which is enforced by the Auditor's Office - for not disclosing required "paid for by" disclaimer information on a sign displayed to the public.

Gonzalez is both a current City commissioner and a candidate for mayor in the November 2024 election. Certain campaign signs equal to or larger than six square feet are required to include information on who paid for the sign under the City's campaign finance law. The disclaimers provide transparency to the public on the actual sources funding political communications.

After investigating the complaint, the Elections Division found evidence of one violation of campaign finance regulations to support the allegation. All communications requiring a disclaimer must include the name(s) of all political committees, individuals, or entities that paid to either provide or present the communication. The Elections Officer determined that the Rene for Portland campaign sign did not comply with the disclaimer requirements. The Auditor's Office has issued a Letter of Warning and Education for the campaign's first violation of the City's disclaimer requirements in this election cycle, as detailed in the determination letter.

More information about the City's campaign regulations can be found in City Charter Chapter 3, Article 3 Section 3-303 and Portland City Code Title 2, Chapter 2.10.030. The determination letter for Complaint No. 2024-02-RG is posted on the City Elections Division website.

View the full determination letter