East Portland is the home of my birth and the home of my heart.

My name is Steph Routh, and I am running for Portland City Council District 1, East Portland.

I grew up in Parkrose and have memories of East County becoming part of Portland. We heard a lot of promises then, of services on par with the rest of the city. I’m running for City Council to make sure the city keeps its promises, that government is accountable to the people of East Portland, and that all of our neighbors can build a life of belonging and purpose here.

I’ve been a small business owner and a nonprofit leader, a community organizer and a teacher. I have seen a lot of students, neighbors, and coworkers struggle to just get by through a housing crisis, a climate crisis, a pandemic, and a growing wealth gap. I’ve been there, too.

We’ve beaten the odds.

I’m running for City Council to change the odds. Because the odds are getting tougher to beat, and it just shouldn’t be this hard.

I have worked for safer, better streets for over 15 years. As the former executive director of Oregon Walks, I fought for safe routes to school for families and walkable/rollable neighborhoods where people can age in community and with dignity. I have served for years as a Portland Planning Commissioner and an advocate for abundant housing and a shelter-to-housing continuum. I am eager to serve on City Council, so we stop wasting time pointing fingers about problems and start working relentlessly on solutions.

We are just getting this campaign started, so please sign up to receive updates and get involved!

Thank you. Go Team.