Incumbents Lead Early in District 4 Council Race
Preliminary returns show Clark, Zimmerman and Green ahead of challenger Eli Arnold, with final certified results still to come.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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Portlanders in District 4 are watching three incumbent councilors, Olivia Clark, Eric Zimmerman and Mitch Green, hold early leads in preliminary election results, while challenger Eli Arnold trails by nearly 5,000 votes after posting 5,601.
Why it matters
Because the City Council is deadlocked, the outcome in Districts 3 and 4 determines whether the council's current balance of power holds. Early returns keep changing as ballots are counted through the night, so the picture is still provisional.
Arnold's 5,601 votes trail the leading incumbents by nearly 5,000, according to preliminary returns posted on election night. Late-counted ballots could still move the margins before results are certified.
The players
Olivia Clark
Portland City Council member and incumbent in District 4 seeking reelection, part of the council's moderate bloc.
Eric Zimmerman
Portland City Council member and incumbent in District 4 seeking reelection, part of the council's moderate bloc.
Mitch Green
Portland City Council member and incumbent in District 4 seeking reelection, a Democratic Socialists of America member and core member of the council's progressive caucus.
Eli Arnold
Challenger in the District 4 City Council race who had 5,601 votes in preliminary returns.
The details
Preliminary results were posted as additional ballots were counted throughout the night on November 3, 2026, and all three District 4 incumbents, Clark, Zimmerman and Green, are seeking a second term. District 4 covers the west side of Portland and a sliver of Southeast Portland. If the District 3 and District 4 incumbents all win, the council's current composition will remain unchanged.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Election night, when preliminary results were posted and the incumbents led.
Beyond the Bridges
Portland's district-based council, created by charter reform and elected by ranked-choice voting, is being tested in these District 4 results. Retaining the incumbents would keep the council's current deadlock in place.
If you live in District 4, these results indicate who will represent your neighborhood on the council for the next term. Watch for final certified results, which will settle the margins that preliminary counts leave open.
The takeaway
Preliminary returns can shift as late ballots are counted, so the final result in District 4 is not settled on election night. Keep an eye on certified results to see whether the council's deadlock holds.
Further reading
For background on how residents can take part in local government, see Civic Engagement in Portland.
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