Lake Oswego mayor and three councilors announce reelection bids

The Lake Oswego mayor and three city councilors who have served together for the past four years have jointly announced reelection campaigns.

In an opinion piece sent to the Lake Oswego Review, Mayor Joe Buck, Council President Massene Mboup and Councilors Rachel Verdick and Aaron Rapf stated their candidacies in this November’s election.

Since joining the council, the candidates have worked on projects like the soon-to-be completed Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatic Center and Rassekh Park, strategized to keep the North Anchor hotel and redevelopment project viable, closed pickleball courts at George Rogers Park due to noise complaints, advanced goals related to environmental sustainability, collaborated on affordable housing projects and more. The four electeds noted the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives on the council and said they have held true to their beliefs while coming together for the better of the community.

“The four of us take our responsibility to effectively govern very seriously, and we’ve fostered strong relationships with one another and our fellow colleagues built on trust and mutual respect. It is not typical in Lake Oswego for four incumbents to run for reelection in a united way, but we came on board during the pandemic — a most atypical time. Together with you and City professionals we’ve successfully carried the community forward and now embrace an even brighter future,” the joint opinion piece stated. “We hope we’ve earned your trust and your vote in what will be a second and final term for the four of us. We cannot do it without your engagement and support. Together let us all continue to work to make Lake Oswego the exceptional community we love and are all proud to call home.”

The City Council application filing period opened in June will run until Aug. 20. Terms of office begin Jan. 1 2025 and end Dec. 31, 2028. Candidates must be registered to vote in Oregon and have lived within the city for the 12 months immediately preceding the election to be eligible for office.