Portland, Maine Portland is the largest city in the U.S. state of Maine and the seat of Cumberland County. Portland's population was 68,408 in April 2020. The Greater Portland metropolitan area is home to over half a million people, the 104th-largest metropo ...

, held an election for

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well ...

on November 3, 2015. It was the second election since Portland voters approved a citywide referendum changing the city charter to recreate an elected

position in 2010. The new citizen-elected mayor serves full-time in the position for a four-year term, exercises the powers and duties enumerated in Article II Section 5 of the Portland City Charter,Portland City Charter
SEE: Article II Section 5. Mayor’s powers and duties. be elected using instant-runoff voting, and, like the rest of municipal government in Portland, be officially non- partisan.

Ethan Strimling Ethan King Strimling (born October 19, 1967) is an American non-profit executive and politician from Maine. Strimling was elected Mayor of Portland, Maine in 2015. Strimling previously served as a Democratic state senator from 2003 to 2009. Afte ...

defeated incumbent mayor Michael F. Brennan and fellow challenger Tom MacMillan.

Candidates

Official candidates

* Michael Brennan, incumbent mayor of Portland and Back Cove resident * Tom MacMillan, Portland chair of the Maine Green Independent Party and Parkside resident *

, former State Senator, political pundit, and West End resident

Failed to make ballot

* Christopher Vail,

North Deering Portland, Maine, is home to many neighborhoods. Arts District Portland's Arts District is based around Congress Street in downtown Portland. The District includes the Portland Museum of Art, the Children's Museum of Maine, the Maine College ...

resident, Portland firefighter

Declined

* Jill Duson, at-large city councilor and candidate for mayor in 2011 * Cheryl Leeman, former city councilor for District 4 (1984–2014) and former mayor (1988–1989; 2000-2001) *

Jon Hinck Jon Hinck (born January 9, 1954) is an American environmentalist, lawyer and politician. From 2006 to 2012 he served as a member of the Maine House of Representatives, representing House District 118, part of Portland, Maine. From 2013 through ...

, at-large city councilor, former State Representative, and candidate for the U.S. Senate in

2012 File:2012 Events Collage V3.png, From left, clockwise: The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia lies capsized after the Costa Concordia disaster; Damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; People gat ...

* David Marshall, city councilor for District 2 and candidate for mayor in 2011 * Nicholas Mavodones, at-large city councilor, former mayor (1999–2000; 2006–2007; 2010–2011), and candidate for mayor in 2011 (endorsed Strimling) * Jed Rathband, political consultant and candidate for mayor in 2011 * Edward Suslovic,

city councilor A municipal council is the legislative body of a municipality or local government area. Depending on the location and classification of the municipality it may be known as a city council, town council, town board, community council, rural council ...

for District 3, former mayor (2007–2008), and former state representative (endorsed Strimling)

Campaign

The day after Ethan Strimling announced his candidacy for mayor, a group of city councilors and school board members led by Nicholas Mavodones announced their opposition to the reelection of Mayor Brennan and support of Strimling. Mavodones cited division within the city and city government as well as an atmosphere of frustration under Brennan's leadership.

Endorsements

Polling

Election results

Election Night Results2015 Election Results
Portland Press Herald

References

External links

Voter Registration/Elections
Official elections & voting information published & maintained by the Portland City Clerk {{DEFAULTSORT:Portland, Maine Mayoral Election, 2015 2015 Maine elections 2015 United States mayoral elections 2015 21st century in Portland, Maine Non-partisan elections