PORTLAND — The field in the upcoming mayoral election expanded last week when District 4 City Councilor Justin Costa and former School Board member Kate Snyder announced their candidacies.

Also, District 3 Councilor Brian Batson became the first council candidate when he registered his re-election campaign at City Hall.

Costa and Snyder join Councilors Spencer Thibodeau and Belinda Ray as announced mayoral candidates. Mayor Ethan Strimling, who filed registration papers in November 2018 and has been fundraising since December 2018, has yet to formally announce his candidacy.

Costa won his second term serving Council District 4 in November 2017. He also served six years on the School Board.

Snyder, now executive director of the Foundation for Portland Public Schools, was on the School Board from 2007-2013. She served two years as chairwoman, and two years leading the Finance Committee.

Snyder was also campaign treasurer for Thibodeau’s 2018 re-election campaign in District 2.

Batson is in his first term representing District 3, which includes the southern and western off-peninsula areas of the city.

Councilor Pious Ali’s at-large seat is also on the Nov. 5 ballot, along with tThe at-large School Board seats held by Roberto Rodriguez and Anna Treverrow, and the District 3 seat held by Laurie Davis.

While registrations allow candidates to begin fundraising for campaigns, candidates must submit nomination papers signed by registered city voters to have their names on the Nov. 5 ballot.

The papers become available July 1 and must be returned no earlier than Aug. 12 and no later than Aug. 26.

Mayoral candidates must obtain at least 300 and no more than 500 signatures. Councilors and School Board candidates in specific districts must get at least 75 and no more than 150 signatures.

Write-in candidates must declare their intentions to the city clerk’s office by Sept. 6.

David Harry can be reached at 780-9092 or dharry@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidHarry8.

Batson

CostaSnyder