Two candidates submitted applications Monday to run to complete the term of late Portland Commissioner Nick Fish.

Robin Castro and Diana Gutman, both community activists, are the first to officially file notice with the city auditor’s office of their intent to appear on the May 19 special election ballot. Both must also submit signatures from 100 valid Portland voters and go through other checks in order to appear on the ballot, said City Elections Officer Deborah Scroggin.

Castro, a Portland State University student, wrote on her Facebook page last Thursday that she is seeking to becoming the commissioner in charge of Portland Parks and Recreation and the Bureau of Environmental Services, which were overseen by Fish before he died of abdominal cancer Jan. 2.

Castro said she believes she’d be suited for the position because of her background in science.

“I'm an environmental scientist running to adequately address the climate crisis based on scientific consensus,” Castro wrote last Thursday. “I am running as a working class individual who knows what living paycheck to paycheck is truly like and the importance of centering policies around your needs. Lastly, I am running to represent a new generation of women entering politics - we are the majority and we will no longer be marginalized by our age or gender.”

Gutman, an Army veteran who advocates for victims of domestic violence, testified before the City Council last Wednesday as it weighed moving forward with the special election in May. She encouraged the public to elect the person they believe would best fill the seat. She did not say then that she was considering applying.

“Commissioner Fish was a wonderful public servant,” Gutman testified. “He helped so many people. He cared about the people of Portland and that’s something anyone who takes this seat should be aware of.”

Monday marked the first day interested candidates could file with the city for Fish’s position. The special election will occur the same day as the primary election.

The seat of Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who has been on the council since 2009, will also be open because she plans to retire. Commissioner Chloe Eudaly and Mayor Ted Wheeler are both seeking second four-year terms in office.

March 10 is the last day to file as a candidate.

If no candidate in the special election receives the majority of the vote, a run-off election of the top two candidates will occur Aug. 11. General elections in any of the other three races will occur Nov. 3, if necessary.

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

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