Sam Adams back in political spotlight with Multnomah County commissioner run

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Sam Adams is back in the political picture.

Having a long history in Portland politics, the former mayor and city commissioner has also battled controversy, ranging from sexual relationships to accusations of a hostile work environment.

Now, during a time when the region is dealing with homelessness, housing and drug crises, Adams is running for an office seat he's never held before: Multnomah County commissioner, specifically the District 2 spot.

"Too often the decision making at Multnomah County … lacks focus, lacks urgency, good partnerships and accountability and I have a track record of bringing people together and successfully tackling big bureaucratic issues, and the issue of houselessness and mental illness, drug addiction and affordable housing is a shared responsibility between cities in Multnomah County and the county itself," Adams said in his interview on Eye on Northwest Politics.

He also added that because Multnomah County's general fund is relative to the size of Portland's, "the time that Multnomah County works as effectively as possible on these critical issues it has core responsibility for, that time is now."

Watch the above video for the full interview.