Matthias Hallett

Attorney • Small Business Advocate • Portland City Council Candidate, District 3

I’ve heard the same questions from neighbors all across District 3:

Why are our neighborhoods getting more dangerous? Why are costs rising while small businesses and families struggle to stay afloat? And why does so much of our tax money disappear into unaccountable pockets with almost nothing to show for it?

I listened carefully, and the answers are clear. Policies that gutted public safety, weaponized City Hall against local businesses, and funneled hundreds of millions into programs and nonprofits with zero real oversight have left visible scars: businesses closing, rampant homelessness, unsafe streets, and taxpayer dollars that aren’t delivering.

That’s why I’m running for Portland City Council in District 3.

With a background in law, small business, and service to this country, I know what straightforward, no-nonsense leadership looks like and Portland is desperate for it.

I grew up understanding the value of hard work and community. I built and ran a small biotechnology startup, learning firsthand the challenges entrepreneurs face when government gets in the way instead of helping. I went to law school and built a practice focused on helping families and individuals navigate complex legal matters. And I’ve always believed that public service means putting the people you represent first, not special interests or political insiders.

Portland was built by people who work hard, raise families, start businesses, and believe in a city that works for everyone. It’s time for leadership that delivers safety, opportunity, accountability, and results.

As your City Councilor, I will:

• Restore real trust in public safety by supporting more police on the streets and backing practical solutions like the Safer Portland initiative.

• Cut the red tape and stop punishing the entrepreneurs and job creators who keep our neighborhoods alive.

• Demand full transparency and accountability for every tax dollar, rooting out waste and fraud so resources actually reach the people and neighborhoods that need them.

• Fight to keep iconic Portland institutions like the Trail Blazers here for the long term through smart, fair negotiations.

• Work to restore trust and clarity in our elections so every Portlander’s voice counts.

This isn’t about left or right. It’s about a city that loves its people enough to get the basics right: safe streets, thriving small businesses, honest government, and real results.

I’m not running to climb the political ladder. I’m running because I love Portland and I’m tired of watching it struggle under failed leadership. District 3, and all of Portland, deserves better.

Together, we can bring the love back to Portland.