Business and Labor Groups Launched Unity PAC
The new committee is backing candidates for City Council and Multnomah County chair.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Unions
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Portlanders watching the upcoming local elections have a new player to track as business and labor groups formed Unity PAC. The committee aims to influence outcomes in City Council and Multnomah County chair races by issuing candidate rankings.
Why it matters
The committee formed with the explicit goal of unseating the six members of the progressive council caucus. Its presence marks a significant effort by the Portland Metro Chamber and labor partners to shift the ideological direction of the city government.
Unity PAC has recorded $210,000 in advertising expenditures managed by a firm in Washington D.C. The coalition draws membership from groups like the Northwest Oregon Labor Union, which represents 100 individual unions.
The players
Unity PAC
A newly formed political action committee backed by business and labor organizations to influence Portland elections.
Portland Metro Chamber
A business advocacy group that established Unity PAC to challenge the current progressive council caucus.
Julia Brim-Edwards
A candidate for Multnomah County chair who has received a recommendation from Unity PAC.
Mitch Green
A current Portland City Council member who has been the subject of critical billboard advertising funded by United for Portland.
The details
Unity PAC publishes its specific recommendations for voters through an online portal. For City Council District 3, the group recommends Steve Novick and Kellie Torres, while in District 4, it backs Olivia Clark and Eric Zimmerman. The PAC is also supporting Julia Brim-Edwards for Multnomah County chair. United for Portland, a key contributor, has already utilized billboards to critique sitting councilor Mitch Green.
Timeline
Unity PAC officially launched in October 2026.
Beyond the Bridges
The emergence of Unity PAC marks a direct challenge to the political influence held by the six members of the progressive council caucus. This effort represents a departure from recent election cycles by concentrating organizational resources into a single committee.
Voters in Districts 3 and 4 will see the PAC's influence through recommended rankings as they prepare their ballots. Residents can review the group's official candidate picks directly on the Unity PAC website to see how these endorsements align with their own preferences.
The takeaway
The formation of Unity PAC signals a concentrated push to shift the political makeup of the City Council. Residents should keep an eye on the group's website for updated candidate rankings as the election season progresses.
Further reading
For more context on the role of organized labor in local government, see our coverage on Portland Unions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Willamette Week.
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