I’ve never been to Portland, Oregon but it seems like quite a, shall we say… unique place…
There’s no shortage of examples of the city being out there, just watch an episode of Portlandia, but this most recent one that I just came across really threw me for a loop.
Apparently Portland has a mayor race this year and there’s a few contenders who have a shot to win, but one candidate in particular is making waves online thanks to her work experience before trying to step into the public service sphere (though on second thought maybe she’s been servicing the public all along).
According to her Instagram bio, Liv Osthus, AKA “Viva Las Vegas,” is an artist, musician, writer, mom, muse, and, most importantly, stripper.
That’s right, a candidate for the highest office in a notable American city is a pole dancer. Or is it “poll dancer” once you step into politics?
And before you throw this story away by saying “Well, anyone can run for mayor if they just say online that they’re running as a write-in”, which is true, know that she is listed on the ballot and has received enough small dollar donations to qualify for public funding through the city’s Small Donor Elections program.
Viva Las Vegas also had enough support in the polls to be invited on the debate stage a few times, where she laid out her plan for revitalizing the decaying downtown area, including letting artists take over vacant buildings and having the city pay for windows when (not if) they get smashed:
A stripper named "Viva Las Vegas" is running for mayor in Portland. There's no way she loses. pic.twitter.com/5Vtl98ZcVq
— Las Vegas Locally 🌴 (@LasVegasLocally) October 24, 2024
Obviously, this is pretty wild but if you think about it, this makes perfect sense.
Portland is one of those cities that embraces their strangeness title. The popular slogan “Keep Portland Weird” is displayed proudly on bumper stickers, signs, and graffiti while merch emblazoned with it is sold at many small boutiques. Much like Austin, or at least what Austin once was, residents want to be wacky, want to be one-of-one, and are not afraid of doing some really unusual things to maintain their collective personality.
Also, Portland is known as the strip club capital of America, with one club for every 11,826 residents, so she did come from the local industry, which is generally celebrated in local politics and I’m sure there’s a whole subset of men who will be casting a ballot for her thanks to some fun nights had at the club.
More power to you, girl.
American politics continues to get weirder and weirder.
