Chloe Eudaly - From Bookstore Owner to Portland, OR City Council

Elected Officials of America: Underdog Stories

Chloe Eudaly didn’t finish high school, but she still managed to beat a Harvard Law School graduate to become one of 8 woman ever elected to Portland City Council in 2016. A local book-store owner for decades, she was out-raised nearly 5 to 1 and yet still became the first candidate to beat an incumbent since 1992. Hear our conversation about she pulled off such an upset, how being a single-mom impacted her campaign, her thoughts on how legalizing marijuana has affected Oregon, and more.

3:00 - Chloe talks about having to close her bookstore.

3:45 - How do you go from running a bookstore to running for office and beating an incumbent for the first time since 1992?

8:20 - What was the reaction from close friends about you running for office?

8:45 - How much did you raise?

10:00 - Did you think you had a chance after getting 28% of the vote in the run-off?

11:10 - What was the reaction from the Democratic Party when you announced?

12:30 - Did anybody talk to you about dropping out?

13:30 - How has your son having cerebral palsy affected your political view points?

15:10 - What was the darkest time of the campaign?

16:30 - What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned since being in office?

20:20 - When did Oregon legalize marijuana and what has the experience been?

23:20 - What lessons learned would you pass on to other legislators about legalizing marijuana?

26:30 - How has the heroin epidemic affected Portland? Any progress with policy? And has legalizing marijuana affected the situation?

31:30 - What would you say to someone who is considering running for office?

35:30 - What can we do as a country to come together again?