Rob Booth

Rob Booth for City Council - Independent Candidate

My name is Rob Booth, and I am running for office in City Council as a member of Independent. As a lifelong Mainer and longtime resident of the Portland area, I have spent my entire career working as a political organizer, picking campaigns that help me close the gap between the reality of American life and the American Dream.

Fun Fact About Me

I am an outdoorsman and self-proclaimed mountain man who spends much of my time whitewater rafting, camping, or snowboarding in Maine's wild places.

My Past Experience

When my little sister Elizabeth was diagnosed with cancer and was forced to navigate her treatment without health insurance, I fought to reform the healthcare system as a part of the Obama campaign. When my brother passed away, closeted, after serving two tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan, I played a key role in running the field in the marriage equality movement, and my consulting group StartingPointOps worked to overturn Don't Ask Don't Tell and to support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

For the last 7 years, I worked as the national field director for RepresentUs where I have fought to fix our broken elections. I have worked to protect our democracy and modernize our voting systems by expanding access to the ballot by advocating for things like automatic voter registration, online voter registration, public financing of campaigns, and Rank Choice Voting.

My Platform

Affordable Housing (Housing)

Portland is facing an unprecedented housing crisis. As a candidate for City Council, I believe renters should be able to afford a 1br apartment on a minimum wage salary. I will work to create more affordable housing through incentives for developers and landlords to build or preserve affordable units.

Living Wages (Inequality)

An honest day of work deserves an honest day's pay. As a City Council member, I will work to ensure that businesses in Portland pay their employees a living wage. I will also support measures to address income inequality and promote economic justice.

Rent Control (Housing)

Portland desperately needs rent control and sensible limits on things like AirBNB rentals. I believe that rent control can help prevent displacement and ensure that working-class families can afford to live in the city. I will work to introduce rent control measures that protect tenants but also allow landlords to maintain their properties.

Closing Statement

I am running for City Council because I believe in the power of people to create change. As a political organizer, I have dedicated my life to fighting for what is right and just. Portland needs a City Council member who will be a strong and passionate advocate for the people. I am that candidate. Please vote for me on Election Day.