Dan Ryan was first elected in 2020 in a special election to serve the last two years of the late Commissioner Nick Fish's term. Now, he is running for a full four year term, but faces a challenge from several candidates, including the leading opponent Alanna Joy "AJ" McCreary.

In their pitch to Portland voters, Ryan pointed to his experience and said now is not the time to elect a newcomer to politics, while McCreary said Portland needs change and new leaders.