After a year of leadership turnover and internal challenges, the Tigard City Council – on a hard-won unanimous vote – has appointed former council member Tom Anderson to fill a vacant seat for all of 2026.
The vote came after council members wrestled through several rounds of interviewing, debating and scoring four finalists from among an original field of 14. Members discussed how to accommodate the interests of experience, political diversity and voter choice in making the appointment. They did so while frequently referring to what they characterized as the elephant in the room: the city’s recent turmoil.
A 63-year-old real estate broker and four-term council veteran, Anderson told the council that he would not run for election in November, leaving the seat open to a long-term member that voters would choose.
Council members said Anderson’s experience could provide continuity and know-how on city projects while giving the electorate the final say.
“Everybody’s trying really hard,” Anderson said of the council. He called his appointment an opportunity to help bolster the city’s leadership and bring a broader perspective to discussions, particularly on business and development priorities.
The council’s decision reflected both political considerations and procedural changes. A voter-approved charter revision in May 2024 allows the council to fill vacancies lasting less than a year without triggering the expense of money and time for a special election. Members noted that Anderson’s interim status prevents them from giving any candidate an incumbent’s advantage while adding more experienced leadership during the intervening year.
Council members outlined the main reasons for Anderson’s selection:
- Veteran experience: Anderson is familiar with ongoing city projects and issues from his prior council term in the late 2010s.
- Interim role: The November election will allow voters to select a new representative for the long term.
- Political diversity: His appointment adds the council’s only Republican to a body otherwise composed of Democrats and an independent (Faraz Ghoddusi).
Over the past two years, the city has seen resignations of a mayor, city manager and key staff members amid internal conflict and organizational challenges. Though members described Anderson as a stabilizing force, he struck nerves by citing city difficulties during questioning.
“I don’t know if you know your reputation, but right now, the city council is seen as a bit of a mess, a little chaos here,” Anderson said. “Some supporters have said, ‘You should run. You would be a good calming influence for them. And you could for a year … help them. And that’s basically why I’m here.’”
Council President Maureen Wolf responded: “I think we’re doing OK. But I appreciate your honesty.” Council member Jeanette Shaw added, “Maybe it kind of looks like that, but we get along. The city’s functioning, you know. Things are getting done.”
Council member Jake Schlack highlighted the importance of appointing someone who is immediately ready while the council rebuilds momentum: “We’ve lost a year on this council because of council drama, because of city manager drama. I want to move past it.”
Anderson said his appointment would give voice to a broader base of pro-business perspectives. Returning to the council, he also expects to focus on updated versions of projects he worked on during his prior service, including:
A May bond vote to finance new quarters for the police and public works departments.
Addressing worsening homelessness, particularly visible in downtown Tigard.
Further consideration of solutions for rising traffic congestion around Highway 99.
In coming weeks, Anderson said he plans to reacquaint himself with such projects in more depth. “I feel like I have homework to get caught up,” he said. “I think 2026 is going to be a sprint.”
Shaw was among those council members who, over the course of the deliberations, switched candidate priorities to lead to full support for Anderson, though her switch came towards the end of the process and therefore helped to seal the unanimity.
Council member Heather Robbins made the motion for the final vote, summarizing Anderson’s strengths: “He can jump right in, have very little learning curve … bring a little bit of a different perspective and also some experience. … I also really appreciate that he said his No. 1 funding priority was the bond, because that is our No. 1 priority … to get that bond passed.”
