Commissioner Nick Fish, Who Helped Create Portland Housing Bureau, Has Died

Portland Commissioner Nick Fish died Thursday, just two days after he issued an announcement that he would be resigning his position due to health issues in 2020. His term was originally slated to end in 2022, but in a letter he addressed to his constituents last Tuesday, he indicated that he planned to serve only until a successor could be elected later this year. Commissioner Fish continued to serve on the city council despite an ongoing battle with stomach cancer for the past two years, and took most of December off due to health reasons. He won his first term in a special election in 2008, and is credited with helping to create the Portland Housing Bureau in 2009. He most recently oversaw the Bureau of Environmental Services and Portland Parks and Recreation. Prior to joining the City Council, he practiced labor law. He moved to Portland from New York in the late 90s when his wife, Patricia, took a job at PSU. The city charter calls for a special election within 90 days of a City Council vacancy unless there is a reason for delay, but according to the Oregonian an election could occur simultaneously with the primary elections on May 19th. 4 of 5 City Council seats will now be up for grabs this year. Both Mayor Wheeler and Commissioner Eudaly are up for re-election, and Amanda Fritz announced in 2019 that she plans to retire rather than run for another term. Read more.