Portland Politics: Texts Show Politicians Not Too Different from Teenagers

A series of texts among Portland Mayor Charlie Hales and some of his top advisers could easily be confused with a high school burn book.

"No vomit emoji," Hales wrote to his communications director, Sara Hottman, after being told that Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler would succeed him.

"But there are THESE," he writes, followed by a series of emojis including a skull and crossbones, thumbs down and a toilet.

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The text messages, from May of this year, were first released to radio station KXL in response to a public records request and then provided to Patch.com.

In one series of emails, Hales and his then-Chief of Staff Josh Alpert refer to Commissioner Steve Novick as "Novice."

The mayor also comes across as not appearing to enjoy criticism.

After Multnomah County Commission Chairwoman Deborah Kafoury told a reporter that the mayor appeared to be more concerned about his ego than the lives of 165 people living in a shelter, he texted his chief of staff.

She "owes me a public apology," he wrote. "I will not partner with her again. At least not without that public apology."

"We have some leverage here," Alpert replied. "I intend to use it fully to get a public apology."

"She has not called me," Hales said. "Too bad. Let's proceed on our own."

Another theme that comes out in the texts is one that the mayor has expressed before — contempt for the press and a lack of concern for transparency.

In April, his Police Chief, Larry O'Dea, informed him that he had accidentally shot a friend while on a hunting trip.

O'Dea did not tell the officers investigating the shooting that he had been responsible, instead telling them that his friend had shot himself.

Also, while city policy states that the city's independent police review division should be notified when officers — even the chief — are involved in shootings, that never happened.

In addition, no one from the city thought that the public should be informed until after they got a request from Willamette Week for information.

"A media inquiry from Willamette Week just now regarding me accidentally injuring my friend last month so I am expecting the story to be out shortly," the chief texted the mayor.

"Had to get out sometime," the mayor replied. "We're ready."

"Today's newspaper, tomorrow's fish wrap."