Adam Marl won the Oregon City mayor's race with 71% of the vote in early returns, becoming the city's first Asian American mayor and the second person of color elected to the office in Oregon's oldest city.

Marl, 26, defeated former City Commissioner Damon Mabee, who received 16%, and Rodney LaBarr, a political newcomer, who received 13%, The Oregonian reported on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

"I'm grateful, and I'm exhausted, and I'm ready for the work that lies ahead," Marl said Tuesday night, according to The Oregonian.

Marl had the endorsement of Mayor Denyse McGriff, who is term-limited. McGriff became the first person of color appointed to the City Commission in 2019 and was later elected. She became mayor in 2022.

Youngest ever on the commission

Marl was adopted from South Korea as an infant and grew up in Oregon City. He graduated from Oregon City High School in 2018 and from Willamette University in 2021, where he studied politics and communications.

At 20, he became the youngest person ever to serve on the Oregon City Commission when he was appointed to fill a vacant seat, according to The Oregonian. He won election to the position in 2022.

Before joining the commission, Marl managed the successful 2020 recall campaign against then-Mayor Dan Holladay. Holladay had faced criticism for suggesting the city would defy pandemic restrictions and for downplaying police brutality against Black people, according to The Oregonian.

Riverwalk and Tumwata Village ahead

Marl pointed to the redevelopment of the city's riverwalk and the planned Tumwata Village development at the former papermill site as priorities, according to The Oregonian.

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde broke ground on Tumwata Village in May 2026. The 23-acre project at the former Blue Heron Paper Company mill site near Willamette Falls will bring housing, retail, office space and public access to the falls, Here is Oregon reported. The tribe purchased the property in 2019 for $15.25 million.

The first phase focuses on infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks and utilities. The first two buildings planned are an apartment complex and a mixed-use building with ground-floor retail, offices and an events center.

"I have never been more optimistic about Oregon City's future," Marl said, according to The Oregonian.

Two commission seats decided

Voters also chose two new Oregon City commissioners. Paul Espe led in early returns with 31% of the vote, followed by Gordon J. Lawrence with 29%, Jim Nicita with 21% and Betty Mumm with 18%.

Espe, 66, is a planner for the city of Lake Oswego and chairs the Oregon City Planning Commission. He has lived in Oregon City for more than 30 years. Lawrence, 46, is a general contractor and owner of Artisan Craft & Design/Installations.

All results are based on early returns and are not yet final.