Luke Zak: Candidate questionnaire for Portland City Council District 3

General Information:

Name : Luke Zak
Age : 32
Pronouns : He / Him / His

Questionnaire:

What is the biggest problem facing the City of Portland as it transitions to a new form of government?

The biggest challenge that City of Portland will face as it transitions to a new form of government is meeting the needs and expectations of Portlanders while undergoing a monumental operational shift and entering another tough budget year. I have heard a lot of councilor candidates campaigning on issues that are beyond the scope of City Council or that are very costly, without acknowledging where the funding for those program areas will come from. We need to make sure that we elect a council that is effective and strategic, with the capacity to collaborate productively with each other, with the executive side of our new city government structure, and with our representatives at other levels of government, including county, metro, state, and federal electeds.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish as a member of the Portland City Council?

It is worth bearing in mind that councilors from Districts 3 and 4 will only be elected to a 2-year term to start. If elected, I hope to work collectively with the other councilors to provide immediate action on housing and community safety while charting out a long-term strategic plan for the success of the new government and for the city.

In what ways are you qualified to represent the citizens of Portland?

I have worked alongside government in various capacities, including 3 years in destination management organizations promoting the region and 5 years in environmental regulatory compliance. I have also held leadership roles in multiple nonprofit organizations over the last 15 years, ranging from a youth leadership nonprofit to an international sports federation. I received my MBA in Advanced Strategy & Leadership from the University of Oregon. My professional and educational experience has prepared me to be an effective and collaborative leader that will can bring people together, identify common ground, and work toward actionable, solution-oriented outcomes that will improve life in Portland for everybody.

What political figure(s) do you admire?

Bernie Sanders was the first politician to truly inspire me to become more civically engaged. His unwavering commitment to justice, with the track record to back it up, speaks volumes of his character. I also admire Ilhan Omar, who understands what it means to listen to her constituents and be a voice for her community. In Portland, I would say that throughout the campaign I have witnessed firsthand how engaged neighbors, community groups, advocacy organizations, and other local leaders are and I am so appreciative of the robust political ecosystem here.

What changes would you like to see in your district?

There are several key areas where I would like to see change toward a more healthy, housed, and connected community. We need to be much more aggressive in flexing our shelter and supportive housing capacity up to meet the needs of our neighborhoods. We must ensure that the deflection center opens with the ability to provide mental health and addiction resources, as well as a plan for reopening a sobering center. I want to prioritize complete neighborhoods with increased housing density, greater small business support, and improved transportation systems. Our district is primed for the livability and affordability benefits of mixed-use multifamily development along our major corridors, which will be compounded by increasing the reach, reliability, and frequency of transit options as well as improved infrastructure around cycling and pedestrian safety. We can also make progress on common sense solutions for everyday Portlanders such as improving lighting and sidewalks, combating the urban heat island with adequate tree canopy, and making a dent in PBOT’s $4.6 billion maintenance backlog (I’m looking at you, potholes).

What do you love about Portland?

Portland is a beautiful city that brings people together. I love the independent music scene, with plenty of small venues across the city where you can catch a show seven days a week. I love the vibrant and diverse culinary culture, from rooftops with mountain views to food cart pods filled with laughter. I love the shared commitment to social justice and human rights, and being an inclusive and welcoming sanctuary city in the face of growing uncertainty nationwide. I love the opportunities for recreation and connection, in our parks, plazas, and community spaces. I love the integration between the city and nature, including access to the Willamette and Columbia Rivers as well as our four extinct volcanoes and the sprawling Forest Park. I love our patchwork of unique neighborhoods with distinct main street flare, from Sellwood and Hawthorne to Alberta and St. John’s. Despite often catastrophized headlines, I believe Portland is rebounding and its best days lie ahead.

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