When Portlanders consider who to vote for during the May 19 primary, they will chose from the largest field in city history.

There are 54 candidates on the ballot for mayor and three city commissioner positions far more than the previous modern record of 41 in 2004.

The field includes two incumbents, a current commissioner’s senior policy adviser, a former mayor, a former Multnomah County commissioner, a current Metro councilor, several community activists and organizers and several candidates familiar with Portland City Hall. The majority are running for elected office for the first time.

At least two city commissioner positions will be held by new elected officials for the first time in more than a decade. The mayor’s race and the third city commissioner position feature incumbents seeking second terms after victories in the 2016 primary along with numerous challengers.

Portland’s mayor and four City Council members serve four-year terms and are elected citywide. In this election, three people will be elected to full-terms and one will be elected to complete the term of late Commissioner Nick Fish, who died of cancer Jan 2. That term expires Dec. 31, 2022.

The only council member whose position is not up for election this year is Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, who was elected in 2018. Her term also expires at the end of 2022.

City records show the mayor made $143,665 in 2019 and the commissioners between $117,067 and $123,115.

If no candidate gains more than 50% of the votes in the race to complete Fish’s term, the top two vote-getters proceed to a run-off election on Aug. 11. If the same occurs in any of the other races, the run-off will occur Nov. 3.

The voter registration deadline is April 28 and ballots will begin to be mailed to voters the next day. The last day to mail ballots in to ensure they will be counted is May 14. Ballots can also be physically turned in at drop-off sites around the city and are due by 8 p.m May 19.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reached out to candidates to get their thoughts on how they plan to address some of the top issues facing Portland, including coronavirus, homelessness and housing as well as why voters should give them their support.

Candidates’ responses were published on OregonLive.com on Friday, April 24, through Monday, April 27. Some answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Read more about the questions and responses from:

Portland City Commissioner Position 1 candidates (position currently held by Commissioner Amanda Fritz)

Portland City Commissioner Position 2 candidates (position last held by Commissioner Nick Fish)

Portland City Commissioner Position 4 candidates (position currently held by Commissioner Chloe Eudaly)

Portland Mayor candidates (position currently held by Mayor Ted Wheeler)

-- Everton Bailey Jr; ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 | @EvertonBailey

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.