PORTLAND BALLOT 2023
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE PROFILES
This year Portland (ME) voters will decide several city council, school board, and other seats. Below find city council candidate profiles with backgrounds and why they are running in their own words.
City Council At-Large
3-year term / 2 candidates – April Fournier & Bill Linnell
April Fournier (she/her) Diné | Navajo
Education: UMaine Alumni, Master of Education-Early Intervention/Special Education
Occupation: National Program Manager for Advance Native Political Leadership
Political/community experience: I am currently an At-Large member of the Portland City Council. I am the current chair of the Council Committee for Health, Human Services & Public Safety and former chair of the Legislative and Nominating Committee. I have also served two years on the Finance Committee. Also, I have previously served as a member of the Police Citizen Review Subcommittee for the City.
I am a former board member of Fair Elections Portland and Maine Roller Derby and current board member of the Equality Community Center.
Reason you’re running: I am running for re-election because I believe I still have work to do for our community. During my first term on the council I have worked to build relationships with city staff, my colleagues on council, and the community. During my first term we have also experienced the transition from a virtual environment to in-person, we have seen a greater emphasis on racial and social equity practices, and we are navigating an incredibly difficult housing crisis that has resulted in encampments around the city.
I believe strong relationships with our community partners, state partners and community members is a critical component to working on long term solutions. There is no one solution that is going to fix the issues we face as a city, but collaborative work by all stakeholders is a strong place to start and I believe I have the skills and relationships to help continue to facilitate that work.
Bill Linnell
Education: B.A. American Studies, Colby College; Certificate in Disaster Relief, Blackfeet Community College, Browning, Montana; Certificate in Lofting, WoodenBoat School, Brooklin, Maine
Occupation: Semi retired teacher, coach, carpenter, fisherman; Owner, Cap’n Bill’s Lobster, LLC
Political/community experience: Co-founder and Spokesperson, Cheaper, Safer Power. Led the successful fight that closed the Maine Yankee Nuclear Plant 12 years early. Caseworker, FEMA, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Elected twice to the Cape Elizabeth Town Council. Maine’s Representative to the National League of Cities Committee on Energy and the Environment, 1992. State Delegate for Bernie Sanders, 2016. Long Creek Youth Development Center, 18 years: teacher, coach, mentor, Volunteer of the Year 2018. Staff, Day One Residential Drug and Alcohol Rehab. Former President, Stroudwater Village Association. Hosting 6 asylum seekers in my home since June.
Reason for Running: This is my home. I’m concerned about the direction that the City is going in. I feel that my positive experience working with at-risk, struggling, mentally challenged, and unhoused people can make a difference. It’s time to change our approach.
City Council District 4
3-year term / 2 candidates – Anna Bullet & Robert Samuel Cady
Anna Bullett
Education: MS in Nutrition, UMaine Orono; BS Culinary Nutrition, Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI
Occupation: Senior Program Director, Health & Nutrition, The Opportunity Alliance
Political/community experience: Cumberland County District Public Health Council Member; GPCOG Transportation 2045 Advisory Committee Member. Administers Cumberland County WIC Contract from Maine CDC and SNAP-Ed Contract from UNE and writes and implements innovation grants centered on improving health equity and food security among historically marginalized communities.
Reason you’re running: To ensure Portland is livable for all, especially those with fixed incomes like senior citizens and working families.
Robert Samuel Cady
Education: Physician, MD degree
Occupation: Physician/Eye surgeon
Political/community experience: No political experience. Clinical instructor for Tufts medical students and medical residents at Maine Medical Center.
Reason you’re running: To do something positive about current Portland issues. I felt it was time to stop watching what is happening in Portland and time to be involved in finding solutions to our issues.
City Council District 5
3-year term / 2 candidates – Matt Buonopane & Kate Sykes
Matt Buonopane
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of New England
Occupation: Commercial Loan Officer, Androscoggin Bank
Political/community experience: Treasurer, Yellow Tulip Project; Small Business Mentor, SCORE;
Volunteer Consultant, USAID & The Grameen Foundation
Reason you’re running: I’m running for City Council because I believe that the rational, moderated, and balanced approach to decision making is what our City yearns for – it is also what will ultimately help us overcome our local obstacles. I believe that my background and perspective will be a helpful voice on the Council as we strive for Portland to be a safe, affordable, and equitable place to live.
Kathryn (Kate) Sykes
Education: I studied Anthropology at Smith College and the University of New Mexico.
Occupation: Writer and community organizer
Political/community experience: Since 2016, I’ve worked with people all over the City on campaigns that seek to reverse wealth inequality, protect and expand local democracy, guard our civil liberties, and deliver material gains to working people. Some of the organizations I’ve worked with include: Fair Elections Portland, the League of Women Voters, Progressive Portland, Maine Citizens for Clean Elections, Southern Maine Workers Center, Maine Democratic Socialists of America, People First Portland, Livable Portland, Pine Tree Power, and the Maine People’s Alliance. I’m a union member and have served on the UAW PAC/CAP Council.
Reason you’re running: I’m running to strengthen community bonds in D5 and bring the voice of working families into City Hall. My top policy goals are to bring permanently affordable housing to Portland, make childcare available and affordable for all, and develop a neighborhood led climate action plan for our district.
Read other Portland city candidate profiles: Portland School Board Candidate Profiles & Other Races 2023 – The West End News
Election Day
Absentee Voting
Voters may request an absentee ballot online or by calling the city clerk’s office at 207-874-8677. In-person absentee voting begins Tuesday, October 10th, in the State of Maine Room, Second Floor of City Hall. The hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Thursday, November 2nd, the clerk’s office will remain open until 7:00 p.m. This is the last day to absentee vote unless granted an allowed special circumstance. To learn more about absentee voting in Portland, visit https://www.portlandmaine.gov/173/Absentee-Voting-Information.
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