I’m Joel Corcoran, running for City Council (District 3) because I believe something simple: good government delivers good services.

If government is meant to improve people’s lives, it should solve real problems and deliver real results.

I’ve spent my career making complex systems work better. In the U.S. Senate, I helped people across Oregon navigate government and get solutions. At Portland City Hall, I worked on policy and budgeting during a time of major change—focused on how government actually works. As an attorney, I’ve helped people build businesses and nonprofits across the state.

I believe “We the People” all share responsibility for fixing government when it falls short. I don’t just talk about problems—I work through them with the people most affected and find ways to fix them.

Right now, too much of Portland’s government isn’t working the way it should—and certainly not the way we envisioned that “the new Portland City Council” would work. Basic services are inconsistent. Costs continue to rise. And too often, City leadership is focused on internal conflicts and performative politics.

Portland deserves better—not in theory, but in practice.

After years of working behind the scenes, I’m ready to step up. I’m not running to be the loudest voice—I’m running to be an effective problem-solver. With steady, practical work, we can make Portland “The City That Works” again.

I was born and raised in the Midwest, but moved to Oregon the day after I graduated high school. With the exception of a multi-year side quest in Washington, DC, I’ve lived here ever since. Portland has been my home for over 25 years.

These days, I’m trying to walk more, read more, and continue negotiations with my cat. I enjoy getting lost in books and stories, especially my TTRPG campaigns. If you see me around town, please say hello.