Spencer Thibodeau Not Seeking Reelection For District 2 City Council

Local Election: District 2 City Council is an open seat with two interested candidates. Also, D2 school board member Emily Figdor runs unopposed for reelection.

By Tony Zeli

It’s 2021 and there is a local election, District 2 City Councilor Spencer Thibodeau announced that he will not seek reelection for a third term. The open seat has attracted two candidates, Jon Hinck of Pine Street and Victoria Pelletier of Congress Street. Also, District 2 school board member Emily Figdor is running unopposed for reelection after serving her first three-year term. The election will be held on November 2nd.

Portland’s second district overlays one of the most diverse and densely populated tracts in all of Maine. The city district covers the neighborhoods of the West End, Parkside, St. John/Valley Street, and Oakdale/USM. Councilor Spencer Thibodeau has represented the district since 2016.

In August, Thibodeau announced that he would not seek reelection. A popular councilor, Thibodeau won his second term with 67% of the vote over challenger Jon Torsch in 2018. Then he ran an unsuccessful bid for Mayor in 2019. During his time on city council, Thibodeau consistently focused on investing in Portland’s infrastructure. Also, he pushed the city to install bike lanes on Park Avenue and to set an emissions reduction goal of 80% percent by 2050.

District 2 City Council

In the race to replace him, Thibodeau is supporting Portland politician Jon Hinck. In the past, Hinck has supported Thibodeau, including for Thibodeau’s first run for city council in 2015. This November, Hinck will face a political newcomer, Victoria Pelletier.

Hinck is focusing his campaign on making Portland affordable for a diverse population. “I would like to represent District 2, my home for 25 years, because it has a wonderful mix of people including many who care deeply about their city and all of its residents.”

Hinck is a lawyer in private practice and has worked for Greenpeace. His previously held office as an at-large city councilor (2013-16) and state representative for the West End (2006-12).

Victoria Pelletier is running to be a leader who reflects the lived experiences of the district.

“I often hear we live in a very progressive district, and it makes me proud to see the array of Pride Flags, Trans Flags, BLM signs, and other lawn signs that push for compassion and inclusivity. That being said, it’s not enough to just say we’re progressive – I look forward to those ideologies being reflected in our policies, and in order to do that, it’s imperative that we prioritize leading with equity and data on all facets of Portland.”

Pelletier works at the Greater Portland Council of Governments on advancing racial equity and inclusion in their member municipalities and managing the Community Development Block Grant program.

District 2 School Board

Portland Board of Public Education Chair Emily Figdor is running for reelection and faces no opposition on the ballot. Figdor is proud of her work on Reiche renovations, pre-K education, and improving equity policies to reduce opportunity gaps.

“Now, I want to see my work through and build new leadership on the school board, while continuing to become an anti-racist school district and finally make pre-K universal. Also, I’m the only openly LGBTQ+ member of the Portland School Board, and I think representation is important for our students and staff.”

Figdor came out publicly at a February school board meeting, after a string of hate crimes in Portland and South Portland in which residents received threatening and homophobic messages.

As an elected official in the community, I wanted our LGBTQ+ students, staff, and families to know that I will not tolerate hate and intimidation in our community or schools. I brought to my colleagues on the school board a resolution condemning hate crimes and committing to make our schools safe and equitable for LGBTQ+ students, staff, and families—which the board passed unanimously. I am proud of who I am and was proud to share this part of my identity with the community. I’ve loved connecting with LGBTQ+ students since.”

In other races…

The local ballot on November 2nd will include three open city council seats. In addition to District 2, there is an at-large seat that longtime incumbent Nicholas Mavodones is leaving. Also open is the District 1 seat being vacated by Belinda Ray.

Running for the open at-large seat are: Travis Curran, Emerson Street; Brandon Mazer, Eastern Promenade; Roberto Rodriguez, Sanborn Street; and Stuart Tisdale, Mabel Street. District 1 candidates include Sarah Michniewicz, Cedar Street and Anna Trevorrow, Mayo Street.

Tony Zeli is publisher and editor. Reach him at thewestendnews@gmail.com.