In the race of Portland Mayor, ballots will arrive in mailboxes in less than two weeks.

City Commissioner Sam Adams and civic-and-business leader Sho Dozono have stepped up the political sparring in recent days.

The candidates debated at the KGW studios Monday night, answering questions on topics ranging from Seattle's plastic bag ban to the failed effort to rename Interstate Avenue and local education issues.

This past weekend The Oregonian newspaper gave a boost to Adams by endorsing him for mayor over of Dozono.

The newspaper’s editorial board decided Adams' insider experience at city hall gave him an edge over Dozono, a political neophyte.

Mary Pitman Kitch of the Oregonian said it was a tough choice, but Adams won out.

“He has been very active and diligent about compensating for what he doesn't know and his deficiencies. And that, I think, in the end, probably tilted the balance in his favor.”

The Portland Business Alliance had an even tougher time picking which candidate to endorse. Dozono has chaired the organization and spent years working with business leaders. But Adams came through for the business community by helping business tax reforms.

The PBA ended up with a dual endorsement of the candidates.

“Both of these candidates have a good view about how important business is in our community,” said Portland Business Alliance CEO Sandra McDonough.

Adams’ campaign presents a long list of Adams’ endorsements ranging from past state leaders to current unions.

Dozono’s campaign says because he entered the race so late, he didn’t bother trying to collect endorsements.

Dozono’s highest profile endorsement so far is from current, retiring Mayor Tom Potter