Voters heading to the polls for the Nov. 3 Lake Oswego and West Linn city council elections care more about a candidate's honesty than their résumé, according to a new survey of nearly 200 area residents.

The survey by The Review, published Wednesday, Aug. 26, found that respondents ranked integrity and honesty, fiscal responsibility and accessibility to constituents as the qualities they value most. Community involvement and previous policy development experience landed at the bottom.

By a 54-46% margin, respondents said they prefer a candidate who shares their political views over one with extensive background and expertise.

The findings arrive as both cities prepare for competitive council races. Lake Oswego will fill four seats on Nov. 3, with five candidates on the ballot: Bryan Guiney, Patrick Walsh, Heather Ramsey, Neil Tunmore and Suzanne Miles.

Three seats carry four-year terms; the fourth is a two-year term created by Councilor Rapf's resignation in April.

In West Linn, Planning Commission chair Kate Nelson and former Councilor Mike Kapigian have both filed to run.

Infrastructure tops the issues list

When asked what elected officials should prioritize, infrastructure and transportation was the top choice, followed by promoting economic growth and environmental preservation.

The two cities diverged on specifics. Lake Oswego respondents placed higher emphasis on environmental preservation and affordable housing.

One Lake Oswego resident warned that the area needs wildfire and ice storm preparedness, writing that "LO and surrounding areas could be another Palisades or Spokane fire story."

West Linn respondents focused on lowering taxes and growing the tax base through economic development.

"Our local representatives need to focus on the most important issues (infrastructure such as water, sewer, roads, and sidewalks) and much less on projects that are deemed 'vanity,' such as aquatic centers, soda fountains, outdoor amphitheaters, and any unnecessary project that benefits the minority at the expense of the many," a West Linn respondent wrote.

National politics casting a shadow

Respondents largely agreed that national politics has seeped into local races. Forty-one respondents said the national environment has increased divisiveness in local politics, and 17 called it a distraction from local priorities.

"Candidates should not seek to be elected with the idea of implementing ideas brought forward by their respective national parties," one West Linn respondent wrote. "Local politicians need to act with independence and in a cooperative spirit."

Candidates striking similar notes

Some declared candidates are already hitting themes that align with the survey's top priorities. Neil Tunmore, a former Intel corporate services director and 26-year Lake Oswego resident, told the Lake Oswego Review in an Aug. 14 announcement that "Every single tax dollar spent should add value to our city."

Councilor John Wendland has endorsed Tunmore.

Ninety percent of survey respondents said they plan to vote in the upcoming elections, though The Review noted that figure likely skews high given the self-selected nature of participants.

Residents can view the full Lake Oswego candidate list and election details at the city's elections page. Ballots go out in October.