Loretta Smith#

Loretta Smith (born 1966) is a member of the Portland City Council representing District 1, serving since January 1, 2025.1 A longtime Oregon Democratic politician and businesswoman, Smith previously served as a Multnomah County Commissioner from 2011 to 2018 and worked as a congressional staffer for Senator Ron Wyden for 21 years.23

Background#

Smith was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Oregon State University.4 After graduating, she joined then-U.S. Representative Ron Wyden’s staff, eventually becoming his field representative and remaining on his staff for 21 years.24

In 2019, Smith founded Dream Big Communications, a communications consultancy specializing in coalition building and community improvement.5 She has one son, Jordan, born in 1990, whom she raised as a single mother.4

Political Career#

Multnomah County Commission (2011-2018)#

Smith began her own political career by running for Multnomah County Commissioner in 2010, winning the runoff by 26 percentage points.6 During her tenure, she focused on investments in programs helping poor youth and served on the Portland Metro Workforce Development Board.27 She won reelection in 2014 with little opposition.2

Portland City Council Campaigns#

Due to term limits on the County Commission, Smith ran unsuccessful campaigns for Portland City Council in 2018 and 2020.18 In 2020, she came in first place in a crowded special election field but lost narrowly to Dan Ryan in the August runoff.8

She also ran for Oregon’s 6th Congressional District in 2022, finishing in fourth place out of nine candidates in the Democratic primary.9

Portland City Council (2025-present)#

Smith successfully won election to the Portland City Council in November 2024 under Portland’s new district-based system, assuming office on January 1, 2025.1

Key Housing Actions#

As City Councilor (2025-present)#

  • Portland Housing Bureau Unspent Funds Disclosure (2026): In early February 2026, Smith publicly disclosed that the Portland Housing Bureau had found approximately $40 million in unspent funds, doubling from the $21 million initially identified in November 2025.10 She received a call from Council President Jamie Dunphy on February 3, 2026, informing her that an additional $21 million was discovered in the bureau’s Housing Investment Fund.11 Smith expressed serious concerns about financial oversight, stating: “This unexpected discovery raises serious concerns about our financial oversight. I am deeply troubled by the possibility that departments may be withholding vital financial information from the council.”11 The total ultimately grew to $106 million as City Administrator Raymond C. Lee III conducted a full accounting.10

  1. Wikipedia: Loretta Smith ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Oregon Public Broadcasting: Loretta Smith: A Record Of Accomplishment — And Conflict (October 22, 2018) ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Oregon State University: Loretta Smith Biography ↩︎

  4. Oregon State University: Loretta Smith Biography ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  5. The Oregonian: Former Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith files to run for Nick Fish’s Portland council seat (January 17, 2020) ↩︎

  6. Multnomah County: May 18, 2010 Primary Election ↩︎

  7. Oregon Public Broadcasting: Loretta Smith: A Record Of Accomplishment — And Conflict (October 22, 2018) ↩︎

  8. Willamette Week: Dan Ryan Is Portland’s Newest City Commissioner, Winning Special Election Runoff (August 12, 2020) ↩︎ ↩︎

  9. Oregon Secretary of State: May 17, 2022, Primary Election Abstract of Votes ↩︎

  10. Willamette Week: Portland Sitting on $106 Million in Unspent Housing Dollars (February 6, 2026) ↩︎ ↩︎

  11. Willamette Week: Housing Bureau Finds Extra $20 Million in Unspent Funds (February 2, 2026) ↩︎ ↩︎

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