Bud Clark

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J.E. "Bud" Clark is an Oregon businessman who served as Mayor of Portland, Oregon (1985 through 1992). A populist with little political experience before his mayoral bid, he was one of Portland's most colorful and well-loved political figures.

Before and after his two terms as mayor, Clark was a businessman and restaurateur. He owns the Goose Hollow Inn, a tavern in Southwest Portland which serves "the Best Reuben on the Planet". In 1984 he ran for mayor because no other candidate would come forward to challenge Francis J. Ivancie. Clark won in the primary with 54.6% of the vote. He was re-elected in 1988 after defeating 11 candidates in the primary and beating former Chief of Police Ron Still in the general.

Clark was known for his eccentricities. He commuted to work by bicycle, and was known for his distinctive cry of "Whoop, Whoop!" He is perhaps best known as the raincoat-wearing model for a poster titled "Expose yourself to art", in which he appeared to expose himself to a nude female public statue, Kvinneakt, in downtown Portland.^[1]^[2]

As mayor, Clark created the nationally recognized 12 Point Homeless Plan, supported the growth of mass transit, including the MAX Light Rail line to Hillsboro, Oregon, aided downtown development, and initiated and led the campaign to build the Oregon Convention Center.

Upon taking office in 1985, Clark found that the previous mayor had reduced the city's reserves of $27 million down to a few thousand dollars. Fire and Police had just received a 10% wage increase which meant the budget had to be redone in his first months in office. Managing the city resources with the Portland City Council, Clark left the city 8 years later with $20 million in reserves and an award from the AMBAC Corporation for Portland as the Best Managed city of its size in the USA. After his second term, Clark retired from public life and resumed his career as a tavern owner.