Jess Falero speaking at an event at the State House in 2024 (Joe Phelan/Staff Photographer)
Community organizer Jessica Falero, who had been certified to run for a Portland City Council at-large seat in November, has suspended their campaign after details of a protection order barring Falero from contacting Councilor Sarah Michniewicz were made public this week.
Falero, 29, made the announcement Friday via social media, stating, “It is with great sadness that I have decided to suspend my campaign. Upon reflection, although we qualified for the ballot and I am almost qualified for clean elections, I need to take some more time before I embark on another grueling campaign.”
Falero last ran for City Council in 2024, narrowly losing an at-large bid to Councilor Ben Grant in a ranked-choice runoff. As a former unhoused youth, Falero has said they would add a needed and valuable voice to policymaking in Portland.
City Councilor Sarah Michniewicz attends a Portland City Council meeting on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer)
However, a protection from abuse order has been in place since October that bars Falero from having any contact with District 1 City Councilor Sarah Michniewicz, who has another full year on her term. Michniewicz said Tuesday that she is extremely concerned about the prospect of potentially serving alongside Falero.
Falero told the Press Herald on Friday that when they decided to run for office this year, they met with elected officials to discuss whether the protection order would prohibit them from serving, and was told it would not.
However, Falero said they ultimately decided to suspend the campaign after hearing Michniewicz’s concerns.
“My priority is that people feel safe, heard and seen. And that is more important than running for elected office at this time,” they said.
Michniewicz sought the protection order last year after alleging that Falero subjected her to a pattern of obsessive, stalker-like behavior for several months. Falero has repeatedly denied the allegations, but agreed to the order.
The original order prohibits Falero from having direct or indirect contact with Michniewicz, with the exception that Falero may attend City Council meetings and speak during public comment.
Michniewicz recently asked the court to strengthen the order to require Falero to keep a minimum distance at City Hall or attend meetings virtually, but that was denied last week.
Falero was arrested in January for violating the order after emailing Michniewicz a question about snowplowing. Their attorney, Tina Nadeau, called it the “silliest” alleged violation of a protective order she’s seen in her career.
Michniewicz did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
