PORTLAND, Ore. -- The man at the center of a scandal that nearly caused the recall of Portland's mayor hopes the city recovers from the turbulent time of Sam Adams' term.
Last week, Adams announced his decision to not seek re-election.
Beau Breedlove met Adams in 2005 in Salem as a legislative intern, with whom Adams denied -- then admitted to -- having a sexual relationship. The revelations came three weeks after Adams was sworn into office as mayor. Adams maintained that it did not become sexual until Breedlove turned 18.
Mr. Adams term as mayor has obviously been a turbulent time for the city of Portland, the statement from Breedlove read. His choices and actions were often dishonest and insincere. However, the public saw something in his leadership that resonated with them, because they chose to support him overwhelmingly.
Details of the mayor's relationship with Breedlove were initially revealed in an article in Willamette Week. Critics launched two recall campaigns against Adams in 2009 and 2010, both of which failed.
Oregon Attorney General John Kroger said an investigation revealed no evidence of criminal wrongdoing in the case.
Being a gay man, I want our society to move forward towards equal rights for all. I do feel though that Adams actions damaged the reputability of gay men in office, Breedlove wrote. It perpetuated stereotypes that could have been avoided had the truth been acknowledge from the beginning.
I hope Portland as a whole will depart this relationship with Adams with new growth and a positive direction for the City s future.
Adams was elected to Portland City Council in 2004.
