Cameron Whitten

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Cameron Whitten

|image = Rally to remember Cameron Whitten (9287284653).jpg

|image_size =

|caption = Whitten in 2013

|party =

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|04|08}}

|birth_place = Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.

|residence = Portland, Oregon, U.S.

|occupation = Community activist

|website =

}}

Cameron Whitten (born April 8, 1991) is an American community activist{{cite news|last=Casey|first=Parks|date=July 1, 2015|title=The evolution of Cameron Whitten: Portland's most famous young radical wonders what's next|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2015/07/the_evolution_of_cameron_whitt_2.html|url-status=live|work=The Oregonian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322055620/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2015/07/the_evolution_of_cameron_whitt_2.html|archive-date=March 22, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}} best known for advocacy on affordable housing, racial justice, and LGBT rights.

Early life and education

Whitten grew up in Sterling, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C. He moved to Portland, Oregon, in 2009 and experienced homelessness at the age of eighteen. He later enrolled at Portland Community College.{{cite news|last=McDonald|first=Bill|date=March 16, 2012|title=Armchair Mayor: Cameron Whitten |url=http://www.neighborhoodnotes.com/news/2012/03/armchair_mayor_cameron_whitten/|url-status=dead|work=neighborhoodnotes.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329083301/http://www.neighborhoodnotes.com/news/2012/03/armchair_mayor_cameron_whitten/|archive-date=March 29, 2016|access-date=October 30, 2023}}

Political activism

A Portland resident for three years, Whitten, 20, joined the Occupy Portland movement from the start, on October 6. He camped in Lownsdale and Chapman squares for the 38 days of the occupation.{{cite book|author1=Renee Guarriello Heath|author2=Courtney Vail Fletcher|author3=Ricardo Munoz|title=Understanding Occupy from Wall Street to Portland: Applied Studies in Communication Theory|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hQSaAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA142|date=29 August 2013|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=978-0-7391-8322-9|page=142}}

Whitten was arrested four times.{{cite news|date=December 23, 2015|title=Cameron Whitten: 15 People Who Made a Difference in 2015|url=http://www.golocalpdx.com/news/cameron-whitten-15-people-who-made-a-difference-in-2015|url-status=live|work=golocalpdx.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908174637/http://golocalpdx.com/news/cameron-whitten-15-people-who-made-a-difference-in-2015|archive-date=September 8, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}} He helped plan the Jamison Square occupation in October, and was arrested when police cleared it out. He was arrested during some occupiers' last stand in Chapman Square. And then he was arrested during a theatrical occupation of tiny Mill Ends Park downtown. He also has another arrest in January 2012 for actions during an Occupy the Courts rally.{{cite news|last=Saker|first=Anne|date=February 2, 2012|title=Faces of Occupy Portland: Cameron Whitten, from the camp aiming at City Hall|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/02/faces_of_occupy_portland_camer.html|url-status=live|work=The Oregonian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030222922/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2012/02/faces_of_occupy_portland_camer.html|archive-date=October 30, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}}

Whitten got his start in politics as a candidate for mayor of Portland, Oregon, in 2012. He campaigned on a platform of diversity and inclusion.{{cite web|last=Saker|first=Anne|title=Cameron Whitten, from the camp aiming at City Hall|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/02/faces_of_occupy_portland_camer.html|work=Faces of Occupy Portland|date=February 2, 2012 |publisher=The Oregonian|accessdate=20 February 2012}}{{cite web|last=Theriault|first=Denis C.|title=Occupy Portland Activist Formally Launches Mayoral Bid |url=http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2012/01/19/occupy-portland-activist-formally-launches-mayoral-bid|accessdate=20 February 2012}} Although among the favorites in The Oregonian "most intriguing political figure" poll,{{cite news|last=Esteve|first=Harry |date=April 11, 2014|title='Most intriguing' politico results: Three move forward, re-vote needed on one matchup|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2014/04/most_intriguing_poll_results_t.html|url-status=live|work=The Oregonian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030223120/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2014/04/most_intriguing_poll_results_t.html|archive-date=October 30, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}} Whitten was not elected mayor. He was subsequently nominated by the Oregon Progressive Party for the position of state treasurer.{{cite news|last=Mapes|first=Jeff|date=August 15, 2012|title=Oregon Progressives nominate Cameron Whitten and marijuana petitioner Bob Wolfe for statewide office|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/2012/08/oregon_progressives_nominate_c.html|url-status=live|work=The Oregonian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030223318/https://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/2012/08/oregon_progressives_nominate_c.html|archive-date=October 30, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}}

Further community involvement

Also in 2012, Whitten embarked on a hunger strike on the steps of City Hall{{cite news|date=July 11, 2012|title=Cameron Whitten keeps stirring the pot on housing justice|url=https://www.streetroots.org/news/2012/07/11/cameron-whitten-keeps-stirring-pot-housing-justice|url-status=live|work=Street Roots|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012234607/http://news.streetroots.org/2012/07/11/cameron-whitten-keeps-stirring-pot-housing-justice|archive-date=October 12, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2023}} to protest the housing crisis in Portland, and to demand immediate action from city leaders.{{cite news|date=June 29, 2012|title=Cameron Whitten Enters Day 29 of Hunger Strike for Housing Justice|url=https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2012/06/30/1104605/-Cameron-Whitten-Enters-Day-29-of-Hunger-Strike-for-Housing-Justice|url-status=live|work=Daily Kos|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012234615/https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2012/06/30/1104605/-Cameron-Whitten-Enters-Day-29-of-Hunger-Strike-for-Housing-Justice|archive-date=October 12, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Hall|first=Chase|date=June 11, 2012|title=Cameron Whitten camps, stages hunger strike at Portland City Hall|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2012/06/cameron_whitten_camps_stages_h.html|url-status=live|work=The Oregonian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082212/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/06/cameron_whitten_camps_stages_h.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Mattos|first=Nick|date=June 8, 2012 |title=Hunger Striker Cameron Whitten's Video Interview with PQ Monthly|url=http://www.pqmonthly.com/hunger-striker-cameron-whittens-video-interview-with-pq-monthly/3827|url-status=usurped|work=pqmonthly.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224212110/http://www.pqmonthly.com/hunger-striker-cameron-whittens-video-interview-with-pq-monthly/3827|archive-date=February 24, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Hall|first=Chase|date=July 26, 2012|title=Cameron Whitten ends hunger strike, Portland City Council announces housing summit|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/07/portland_city_council_announce.html|url-status=live|work=The Oregonian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512091312/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2012/07/portland_city_council_announce.html|archive-date=May 12, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Hall|first=Chase|date=July 19, 2012|title=Portland activist Cameron Whitten's hunger strike goes on; can anyone stop him?|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2012/07/portland_activist_cameron_whit.html|url-status=live|work=The Oregonian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012234650/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/07/portland_activist_cameron_whit.html|archive-date=October 12, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2023}} The strike lasted almost two months, eliciting a statement from housing commissioner Nick Fish,{{cite web|url=https://www.blueoregon.com/news/10957/|title=Nick Fish Issues Statement on Cameron Whitten's Hunger Strike|date=July 19, 2012|website=blueoregon.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012234654/https://www.blueoregon.com/news/10957/|archive-date=October 12, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fish/article/405240|title=Statement from Commissioner Fish regarding Cameron Whitten's hunger strike|last=Fish|first=Nick|date=July 19, 2012|website=portlandoregon.gov|publisher=City of Portland|access-date=October 30, 2023}} and ended after concessions were made by the Portland Mayor's Office.{{cite news|last=Theriault|first=Denis|date=Jul 26, 2012|title=The End of a Hunger Strike|url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/the-end-of-a-hunger-strike/Content?oid=6564557|url-status=live|work=Portland Mercury|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119194537/https://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/the-end-of-a-hunger-strike/Content?oid=6564557|archive-date=January 19, 2022|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Dubois|first=Steven|date=July 26, 2012|title=Housing activist ending Portland hunger strike|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jul/26/portland-activist-to-end-hunger-strike/|url-status=live|work=The Spokesman-Review|location=Portland, Oregon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224214208/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jul/26/portland-activist-to-end-hunger-strike/|archive-date=February 24, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2023}} Whitten continued to speak publicly about homelessness.{{cite news|last=Cannon|first=Kelly|date=March 26, 2013|title=Social activist visits InTech High after students send letters |url=https://www.hjnews.com/allaccess/article_3dfa4476-95a7-11e2-b20b-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=jqm_com?mode=jqm|url-status=live|work=The Herald Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030225648/https://www.hjnews.com/allaccess/article_3dfa4476-95a7-11e2-b20b-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=jqm_com?mode=jqm|archive-date=October 30, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}}

In 2013, Whitten was in the news again when he participated in the campaign for the legalization of same-sex marriage in Oregon.{{cite news|last=Schindler|first=Paul|date=February 5, 2014|title=Why Oregon Is 2014's Marriage Crucible|url=https://gaycitynews.com/why-oregon-is-2014s-marriage-crucible/|url-status=live|work=Gay City News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320224830/https://gaycitynews.com/why-oregon-is-2014s-marriage-crucible/|archive-date=March 20, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}} Also in 2013, after a homeless camp in front of Portland city hall was cleared and replaced by a burrito cart, Whitten organized a demonstration handing out free burritos which prompted the cart to relocate.{{cite news|date=August 29, 2013|title=Food cart leaves Portland city hall|url=http://koin.com/2013/08/29/food-cart-leaves-portland-city-hall/|url-status=dead|work=KOIN|location=Portland, OR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929011125/https://www.koin.com/2013/08/29/food-cart-leaves-portland-city-hall/|archive-date=September 29, 2014|access-date=October 30, 2023}}

In 2014 Whitten was executive director of the organization Know Your City.{{cite news|last=Ellison|first=Annie|date=March 13, 2015|title=African American Leaders: What Portland Can Learn from Ferguson|url=http://www.golocalpdx.com/news/African-American-Leaders-What-Portland-Can-Learn-from-Ferguson|url-status=live|work=golocalpdx.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224214821/http://www.golocalpdx.com/news/African-American-Leaders-What-Portland-Can-Learn-from-Ferguson|archive-date=February 24, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite news|date=November 4, 2015|title=Activist Whitten named Know Your City's new exec |url=https://www.portlandtribune.com/news/activist-whitten-named-know-your-citys-new-exec/article_435fb49b-fb02-585f-b7b7-6510f95d316c.html|url-status=dead|work=Portland Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224215228/http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/279991-156274-activist-whitten-named-know-your-citys-new-exec|archive-date=February 24, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Parks|first=Casey|date=November 7, 2015|title=Cameron Whitten named executive director of nonprofit Know Your City|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2015/11/cameron_whitten_named_executiv.html|url-status=live|work=The Oregonian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617041211/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/11/cameron_whitten_named_executiv.html|archive-date=June 17, 2016|access-date=October 30, 2023}} In this role he conducted history-related walking tours of Portland.{{cite news|last=Korn|first=Peter|date=March 31, 2016 |title=Know your city's hidden histories|url=https://www.portlandtribune.com/news/know-your-city-s-hidden-histories/article_236da98d-4731-555b-aacf-0c6a3fac7fe5.html|url-status=deviated|work=Portland Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527123517/http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/299780-176802-know-your-citys-hidden-histories|archive-date=May 27, 2018|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Anderson|first=Jennifer|date=February 16, 2017|title=Get out of your bubble with walking tour |url=https://www.portlandtribune.com/news/get-out-of-your-bubble-with-walking-tour/article_314d075c-ee15-5b44-8bed-59b942414b62.html|url-status=deviated|work=Portland Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616102646/https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/345239-224557-get-out-of-your-bubble-with-walking-tour-|archive-date=June 16, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2023}} That year several of his articles about excessive use of force by police were published in local magazines and news outlets.{{cite news|date=December 18, 2014|title=Where Does the Community Have Oversight Over the Police? A Chat with Cameron Whitten|url=http://www.pqmonthly.com/community-oversight-police-chat-cameron-whitten/21317|url-status=usurped|work=pqmonthly.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224214559/http://www.pqmonthly.com/community-oversight-police-chat-cameron-whitten/21317|archive-date=February 24, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Parks|first=Casey|date=November 24, 2014|title=Ferguson shooting: Why does it matter to Portlanders?|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2014/11/ferguson_shooting_why_does_it.html|url-status=live|work=The Oregonian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617041356/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2014/11/ferguson_shooting_why_does_it.html|archive-date=June 17, 2016|access-date=October 30, 2023}} He served on Portland's Transit Equity Advisory Committee.{{cite news|last=Young|first=Arashi|date=November 30, 2015 |title=Cameron Whitten Steps Into New Role|url=http://www.theskanner.com/news/northwest/23375-cameron-whitten-steps-into-new-role|url-status=live|work=The Skanner|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206224655/http://theskanner.com/news/northwest/23375-cameron-whitten-steps-into-new-role|archive-date=February 6, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}} Also in 2014 Whitten joined cyclists to protest the dangerous state of Portland city infrastructure after a cyclist was killed while riding in a bike lane.{{cite news|last=Maus|first=Jonathan|date=February 26, 2014|title=Jury decision expected today in Kathryn Rickson wrongful death lawsuit|url=https://bikeportland.org/2014/02/26/jury-decision-expected-today-in-kathryn-rickson-wrongful-death-lawsuit-102105|url-status=live|work=bikeportland.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207093022/https://bikeportland.org/2014/02/26/jury-decision-expected-today-in-kathryn-rickson-wrongful-death-lawsuit-102105|archive-date=February 7, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}}

In 2015, by then a student at Portland State University, Whitten was in the news again when he was arrested after complaining about conditions on a Portland streetcar.{{cite news|last=Harbarger|first=Molly|date=May 2, 2015|title=Activist Cameron Whitten refuses to leave Portland Streetcar, cited after complaining about leaky vent|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2015/05/cameron_whitten_refuses_to_lea.html|url-status=dead|work=The Oregonian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924132251/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/05/cameron_whitten_refuses_to_lea.html|archive-date=September 24, 2015|access-date=October 30, 2023}}"Portlanders come to the support of cited civil leader". Portland Sun Times, By DeMario Phipps-Smith 05/05/2015 In 2016, representing Know Your City, he spoke at a Portland City Council meeting about the importance of culturally relevant education.{{cite news|last=Young|first=Arashi|date=February 4, 2016|title=Advocates Push for Culturally Relevant Education|url=http://www.theskanner.com/news/northwest/23527-advocates-push-for-culturally-relevant-education|url-status=live|work=The Skanner|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204112454/https://theskanner.com/news/northwest/23527-advocates-push-for-culturally-relevant-education|archive-date=December 4, 2022|access-date=October 30, 2023}}

In 2017, Whitten took part in protests against Donald Trump's executive order banning travelers from specific countries to the US. During one protest he filmed a violent incident and his footage was used in news reports.{{cite news|last=Ryan|first=Jim|date=November 12, 2016|title=Man shot on Morrison Bridge during Portland anti-Trump protest|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2016/11/anti-trump_protesters_rally_in.html|url-status=live|work=The Oregonian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812174239/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2016/11/anti-trump_protesters_rally_in.html|archive-date=August 12, 2022|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Matsumoto|first=Samantha|date=November 30, 2016|title=Mayor Charlie Hales calls for investigation into police use of force in activists' arrest|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2016/11/charlie_hales_calls_for_invest.html|url-status=live|work=The Oregonian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206192300/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2016/11/charlie_hales_calls_for_invest.html|archive-date=December 6, 2022|access-date=October 30, 2023}} Whitten was later interviewed about the ban by Fox News; interviewer Tucker Carlson questioned Whitten's knowledge of the text of the order.{{cite news|date=January 30, 2017|title='Have You Read the Orders?': Tucker Takes on Anti-Trump Protest Organizer |url=http://insider.foxnews.com/2017/01/30/donald-trump-executive-order-immigration-ban-protest-organizer-spars-tucker|url-status=dead|work=Fox News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112005425/https://insider.foxnews.com/2017/01/30/donald-trump-executive-order-immigration-ban-protest-organizer-spars-tucker|archive-date=November 12, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2023}}

In 2018, Whitten founded a racial justice nonprofit named Brown Hope. Later that May, he launched Brown Hope's first event, called Reparations Happy Hour, which garnered significant attention in international news outlets.{{cite news|last=Victor|first=Daniel|date=May 26, 2018|title='Reparations Happy Hour' Invites White People to Pay for Drinks|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/26/us/reparations-happy-hour-portland.html|url-status=live|work=The New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719192258/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/26/us/reparations-happy-hour-portland.html|archive-date=July 19, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Nonko|first=Emily|date=October 31, 2018|title=This Nonprofit Is Calling out Racism in Unexpected Places|url=https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/this-nonprofit-is-calling-out-racism-in-unexpected-places|url-status=live|work=Next City|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017104045/https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/entry/this-nonprofit-is-calling-out-racism-in-unexpected-places|archive-date=October 17, 2021|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Morrison |first=Erica |date=October 18, 2018|title=Portland Racial Nonprofit Seeks To Heal Communities With Reparations Power Hour|url=https://www.opb.org/news/article/portland-reparations-power-hour-nonprofit-african-american-communities/|url-status=live|work=Oregon Public Broadcasting|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214205130/https://www.opb.org/news/article/portland-reparations-power-hour-nonprofit-african-american-communities/|archive-date=December 14, 2022|access-date=October 30, 2023}} Whitten was later interviewed about the event by Fox News; interviewer Tucker Carlson questioned Whitten about whether the event was offensive.{{Citation|year=2018|title='Reparations Happy Hour' invites whites to pay for drinks|publisher=Fox News|publication-place=youtube.com|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m1Zdnrs0F0|access-date=October 30, 2023}}

LGBT rights activism

In July 2018, Whitten became the Interim Executive Director of Q Center, a community center serving Portland's LGBTQ+ community, and was hired to help with an unexpected leadership transition. Shortly after, he accepted a Light a Fire award from Portland Monthly Magazine on behalf of the organization for its years of advocacy for Portland's LGBTQ+ community.{{cite news|last=Dawn|first=Eden|date=October 17, 2018|title=At Portland's Q Center, the Fight for Queer Rights Is Far from Over|url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/news-and-city-life/2018/10/at-portland-s-q-center-the-fight-for-gay-rights-is-far-from-over|url-status=live|work=pdxmonthly.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324125345/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/news-and-city-life/2018/10/at-portland-s-q-center-the-fight-for-gay-rights-is-far-from-over|archive-date=March 24, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}} In February 2019, Whitten led the organization of an emergency LGBTQ2SIA+ town hall after a series of reports of physical attacks against LGBT individuals in Portland.{{cite news|last=Stenvick|first=Blair|date=February 25, 2019|title=Amid Anti-LGBTQ Violence, Many Queer Portlanders Don't Trust the Police for Protection |url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2019/02/25/26018143/amid-anti-lgbtq-violence-many-queer-portlanders-dont-trust-the-police-for-protection|url-status=live|work=Portland Mercury|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327000454/https://www.portlandmercury.com/news/2019/02/25/26018143/amid-anti-lgbtq-violence-many-queer-portlanders-dont-trust-the-police-for-protection|archive-date=March 27, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}} In June 2019, Whitten launched a capital campaign that raised of $100,000 to renovate Q Center.{{cite news|last=Peterson|first=Danny|date=July 17, 2019|title=On Stronger Footing|url=http://portlandobserver.com/news/2019/jul/17/stronger-footing/|url-status=dead|work=Portland Observer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207183023/http://portlandobserver.com/news/2019/jul/17/stronger-footing/|archive-date=February 7, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2023}}

2020 Metro Council campaign

On January 21, 2020, Whitten announced his campaign for Metro Council, with endorsements from US Representative Elizabeth Furse and several Portland city councilors.{{cite news|last=Redden|first=Jim|date=January 21, 2020|title=Cameron Whitten announces for Metro Council |url=https://www.portlandtribune.com/news/cameron-whitten-announces-for-metro-council/article_c2d96b84-56b6-521e-9e98-9c876a3e29c2.html|url-status=deviated|work=Portland Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523033144/https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/448675-365624-cameron-whitten-announces-for-metro-council|archive-date=May 23, 2022|access-date=October 30, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Zielinski|first=Alex|date=January 21, 2020|title=Cameron Whitten Joins Race for Metro Council|url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2020/01/21/27850033/cameron-whitten-joins-race-for-metro-council|url-status=live|work=Portland Mercury|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207003537/https://www.portlandmercury.com/articles/2020/01/21/27850033/cameron-whitten-joins-race-for-metro-council|archive-date=December 7, 2022|access-date=October 30, 2023}} He resigned his position with Q Center in order to focus full-time on the campaign.

Personal life

Whitten identifies as queer.{{Cite news|url=http://katu.com/news/politics/portland-mayoral-candidate-cameron-whitten|title=Portland Mayoral Candidate Cameron Whitten|last=Staff|first=KATU.com|work=KATU|access-date=2018-06-01|language=en-US}}

Controversy

On December 8, 2022, Whitten was placed on paid leave pending an internal investigation of what the president of Whitten’s non-profit Brown Hope called “multiple serious allegations.”{{cite web |date=December 8, 2022 |title=Founder of nonprofit Brown Hope forced to step down during investigation |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/cameron-whitten-brown-hope-investigation/283-35cd38d2-58f8-4a89-b0ac-a74299f115f9 |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=kgw.com }}

On 14 December 2022, at a meeting of the Brown Hope board of directors, attended by Whitten and the two other directors, Whitten was reinstated. The board was extended from three members (including Whitten) to five members, and a decision was taken to have an independent external party investigate the allegations made against Whitten by the anonymous whistleblower.{{cite web |date=December 15, 2022|title=Anonymous Memo to Brown Hope Board Lays Out Allegations Against CEO|url=https://www.wweek.com/news/2022/12/15/anonymous-memo-to-brown-hope-board-lays-out-allegations-against-ceo/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=wweek.com }} According to the board chairman this investigation concluded that the allegations were “legally unfounded”.

On 17 July 2023 the ex-Chief Operating Officer of Brown Hope, Brondalyn Coleman, filed a lawsuit against Brown Hope and Whitten in Multnomah County Circuit Court seeking $5 million in damages. The lawsuit is based on a similar but expanded set of allegations as those submitted to the organization in 2022. Coleman joined Brown Hope in September 2021, and was fired by Whitton in January 2023 due to a breakdown of their relationship. The suit is ongoing as at 2 November 2023.

In addition an investigation begun by the Oregon Department of Justice in December 2022 is also ongoing.{{cite web |date=August 8, 2023|title=Former Chief Operating Officer Files Lawsuit Against Brown Hope and CEO Cameron Whitten |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/2023/08/08/former-chief-program-officer-files-lawsuit-against-brown-hope-and-ceo-cameron-whitten/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=wweek.com }}