Two heavyweight trade unions, IBEW Local 48 and Ironworkers Local 29, have yanked their endorsements of Portland City Councilor Mitch Green, saying his stance on a costly Moda Center renovation and the Bull Run water-filtration project cuts against their members’ economic interests. The reversal from labor that once backed him lands as Green eyes a 2026 reelection run in District 4, turning what was friendly territory into a political headache.
According to The Oregonian/OregonLive, the unions formally pulled their endorsements after Green questioned using public funds and climate-tax dollars to overhaul the arena. In statements described by the paper, union leaders said Green’s hesitation "undermines members' livelihoods," and IBEW business manager Garth Bachman went further, calling the position "a betrayal of the working class."
Why The Unions Matter
In Portland politics, endorsements from construction trades do not just bring yard signs and volunteers. They signal access to well-paid, union jobs on major public projects, which is why electricians and ironworkers are zeroed in on how the city structures any deal for Rose Quarter construction work tied to the Moda Center. Willamette Week notes that unions yanking support from a sitting councilor is rare and could scramble the political map in District 4, where voters are sharply divided over public subsidies for the arena.
Numbers Behind The Fight
Reporting has pegged a full Moda Center overhaul at close to $600 million, with city and state officials still arguing over who picks up which slice of the bill. Local coverage says the mayor and other leaders are discussing a package in that neighborhood, while Mayor Keith Wilson’s idea to draw as much as $75 million from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund has become one of the hottest pressure points in the whole argument. KXL has followed the evolving renovation price tag, and the Portland Mercury has tracked the push to tap climate-tax revenue for part of the city’s share.
Bull Run In The Background
The unions also pointed to Green’s posture on the Bull Run filtration project, a massive water-system upgrade that has become its own lightning rod. Construction on the facility began in 2024, then was halted during land-use appeals in early 2025 before restarting later that year. Project pages from the Portland Water Bureau now put the filtration plant and related pipelines at an estimated cost of roughly $2.56 billion. Spiraling costs, contract decisions and questions about oversight have turned Bull Run into another test of how City Hall steers giant public-works jobs.
Green Pushes Back
Green, elected to represent District 4 in November 2024 and sworn in the following January, is not retreating. He has said he supports updating the arena but will not wave through a deal he sees as overly generous to private interests. In a statement to Willamette Week, Green declared, "I want the Blazers here," and added that he will oppose any agreement that resembles a backroom handout to wealthy players.
What Happens Next
City Council has Moda-related work sessions and budget items lined up on its calendar this month, with public hearings slated for July as councilors decide whether, and how much, local money to commit to a renovation and long-term lease. The official council agenda, posted by the City of Portland, lists upcoming meetings where those issues could surface. The same documents outline committee briefings and public-testimony opportunities that will help shape the next round of decisions on both funding and contracting.
