Carmen Rubio’s Statement on Parking Ticket History

The Oregonian called today, asking Carmen to respond again, to her parking ticket history. Below is the statement she shared in response:

I have apologized several times now to Portlanders for my prior parking tickets, and shared how I took accountability and paid all the fees and fines associated with those tickets years ago.

The best I can do at this point is to say again that I’m very sorry, and that earning Portlanders’ trust back is an ongoing commitment I take very seriously.

I also acknowledge that in American public life, women can’t seem to apologize enough for our mistakes. While our male counterparts’ past – or recent – mistakes are minimized as youthful indiscretion or “poor judgment,” women aren’t afforded that same forgiveness. Again, the only thing I can do is to say I’m sorry and commit to doing better.

I do think Portland voters deserve a robust discussion of the issues our city faces – including the record of those of us running for Mayor. And I hope that Portland voters will learn not just about my past mistakes, but also about what I’ve accomplished in my professional life as both a leader of a large community-focused organization and as a Commissioner. My record as elected leader on the City Council is the best measure of my abilities to provide the leadership we need right now.

I’m looking forward to continuing that conversation and to the important work of building the safe, prosperous Portland of tomorrow.