1. Teressa Raiford founded the local Black-led non-profit Don't Shoot Portland.
10 Facts About Teressa Raiford
1. 2.
When Raiford was a child, her grandparents' restaurant was the site of a racist action in which Portland police officers threw dead possums onto the business' doorstep.
3.
In 2015, Teressa Raiford was arrested, charged and jailed for obstructing traffic and disorderly conduct by five officers, at a march she had organized to honor Michael Brown.
4.
In 2022, Teressa Raiford was critical of public misinformation provided by the Portland police in the aftermath of the Normandale Park shooting and called for an independent investigation.
5.
Teressa Raiford attempted to unseat Commissioner Amanda Fritz in the 2012 Portland City Council election.
6.
Teressa Raiford finished in 4th out of 5th place with 3,840 votes.
7.
Teressa Raiford finished 3rd out of 4th place with 1,986 votes.
8.
Teressa Raiford announced a write-in campaign against Mike Reese, former Portland Police chief, who was running unopposed.
9.
Teressa Raiford announced her plan to run for mayor in late 2017, being one of the first candidates to announce her plan.
10.
On May 19,2020, Teressa Raiford lost the primary election to Ted Wheeler and Sarah Iannarone, coming in 3rd place with 18,310 votes.