Tom Potter was elected, defeating Jim Francesconi.

Incumbent mayor Vera Katz did not seek a fourth term.

Portland uses a nonpartisan system for local elections, in which all voters are eligible to participate.

All candidates meeting the qualifications competed in a blanket primary election on May 18, 2008.

[1] As no candidate received an absolute majority, the top two finishers advanced to a runoff in the November 6 general election.