The race for Tigard mayor is taking shape for the Nov. 3 general election, setting up a contest between appointed incumbent Mayor Yi-Kang Hu and former Tigard City Manager Bill Monahan, according to campaign announcements from both candidates.
The election follows a tumultuous period in city governance that included a mayoral vacancy, leadership transitions, and the rejection by voters in May of a $150 million bond proposal for a combined police and public works facility. Both candidates are pitching distinct visions for how to manage city finances, address public safety needs, and maintain community trust.
Mayor Yi-Kang Hu: “Restoring Stability”
Hu, who was appointed mayor by the City Council in October 2025 following the resignation of former Mayor Heidi Lueb, is seeking a full four-year term. Hu previously served on the Tigard Planning Commission before his election to the City Council in November 2022.
“I first got involved in city government because I noticed missing sidewalks in my neighborhood,” Hu said. “What started as a concern about my own neighborhood became a commitment to making Tigard an even better place to live.”
Highlighting his record since taking office, Hu pointed to the hiring of a new city manager, closing a $6.5 million budget shortfall without sacrificing core services, adopting Tigard’s first Economic Development Strategic Plan, and expanding local housing options.
“Together, we’ve restored stability and put Tigard on a solid footing,” Hu said. “Now I’m running to continue building on that progress by keeping our neighborhoods safe, supporting our parks and library, improving transportation, and strengthening our local economy.”
Hu, a food and drug attorney and small business owner who has lived in Tigard for over 20 years, has secured endorsements from several local and regional leaders, including Washington County Commissioner Jason Snider, State Sen. Courtney Neron Misslin, State Reps. Ben Bowman and Sue Rieke Smith, City Council President Maureen Wolf, and Councilors Jake Schlack and Jeanette Shaw.
Bill Monahan: Focus on Fiscal Oversight and Experience
Challenging Hu is Monahan, a Tigard resident since 1982 with 30 years of experience in Oregon local government. Monahan served as Tigard’s city manager from 1994 to 2005 and later as city manager of Milwaukie from 2010 to 2016. He is also a former land-use and city attorney, public management consultant, and local business owner.
Monahan stated he entered the race after observing what he described as “instability, missteps, and costly decisions over the past two years” that have eroded public trust, according to a press release from his campaign.
He pointed to the failed $150 million facility bond as a key indicator of current leadership’s disconnect from voters and resource misuse. Monahan argued that the city must pursue more practical, cost-effective solutions for the police department’s space needs while serving as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.
Monahan said he aims to bring the experience necessary to “get Tigard back on course, follow best practices to solve the police facility needs with an affordable solution, and be a fiscally responsible steward of taxpayer funds to deliver core services.”
“It is time to restore transparency and pursue affordable solutions voters can support,” according to Monahan’s campaign, which emphasized his commitment to strengthening council leadership, listening to residents, and fostering a productive working relationship with the city’s new administration.
Looking Ahead to November
With both candidates bringing extensive, albeit different, public service backgrounds to the ballot, Tigard voters will decide on Nov. 3 who will lead the city for the next four years starting Jan. 1, 2027.
COMING IN SEPTEMBER: City Council Candidates
With six candidates running for three open seats on the Tigard City Council, our coverage of local municipal elections continues next month.
The upcoming November election features three council positions: one seat being vacated by Councilor Tom Anderson, one held by Councilor Heather Robbins (who is seeking re-election), and one currently held by Councilor Faraz Ghoddusi. Ghoddusi confirmed he will not be seeking re-election this term.
In our September issue, we will present a similar candidate preview profiling the six non-mayoral council candidates running for the three open seats:
To check current candidate filings, verify voter registration, or learn more about municipal election deadlines, visit the City of Tigard’s election page at tigardlife.com/go/2016-election.
