The office of Portland mayor was non-partisan. Candidates from all political parties competed in one primary election in May, and if no one garnered more than 50 percent of the vote, the two candidates with the most votes competed in a runoff election in November. In a field of about 10 candidates, Adams was the clear frontrunner. His closest competitor, a local businessman named Sho Dozono, entered the race in January 2008. That years mayoral primary was to take place on May 20.

On May 11, Caldwell published a letter to the editor from Adams in which the candidate embraced while playing down his sexuality :

One of the greatest mayors in American history, New York's Fiorello LaGuardia, once said, There is no Democratic or Republican way of cleaning the streets. Let me add that there is no gay or straight way of filling a pothole. I'm not running to be a gay mayor, just a good mayor. But the fact that I would be the first openly gay mayor of a major American city does make me proudnot proud of myself, proud of Portland. [1]

The campaign was not particularly hard-fought. Says Caldwell, [Adams was] one of the best-prepared candidates in recent history, based on his experience as an aide to the former mayor, as well as his years on the City Council. Caldwell says:

He was a local person, had lived in Portland for a long time. He was and is well-known as an innovative and incisive thinker about Portland municipal affairs and Portland politics and the like.

In Caldwells opinion, Adams was in every respect a better candidate than Dozono, who had never held elective office. Caldwell continues:

Sho Dozono basically presented his campaign as, well, we all know whos going to win this, but Im here to present an alternative from the business community. And that was truthful.

Most of Caldwells staff was also impressed with Adams, and he seemed the obvious choice for their endorsement.

Listen to editorial writer Bates discuss what he felt would make Adams a good mayor.

Editorial writer Nielsen held a slightly more nuanced view. She was concerned about the prospect of Adams winning over half the vote in the primarywhich would end the race in May, lopping six months off the mayoral campaign. She explains: I just think its good to have the longer conversation with voters [that] the full campaign provides. [2] She wrote in her own column:

Another six months on the campaign trail would force Adams to explain himself, listen more closely to those who disagree and immerse himself in the world outside of City Hall. He had to do this four years ago, when he lost the primary to opponent Nick Fish and scrabbled his way to victory in the fall. That runoff made him a better leader. This runoff could, too. [3]

Listen to Nielsen describe being hesitant to endorse Adams.

But within the board, this represented nearly the only argument against endorsing Adams. Adams sexuality, and specifically the previous years rumor about his relationship with Breedlove, barely came up. Nielsen summarizes the boards attitude: It turned out that hes gay. Thats [fine]. You know, are you going to be a good city commissioner or mayor? Noting that Portlands school superintendent was gay, she continues: Its just not an issue in Portland at all.

On May 15, 2008, the board endorsed Adams for the primary. On May 20, Adams won with 58 percent of the vote, avoiding a runoff election. The sitting mayor, Tom Potter, faded from view as Adams increasingly assumed the responsibilities of the mayors office from his post on the City Council, even though his term did not officially start until January 2009. The editorial board applauded his promising preparations for taking officeamong them a possible mandate that grocery stores charge for environmentally hazardous plastic bags to discourage their use, and an attempt to secure financing for the construction of a convention center in Portland. Says Editorial writer Attig: His priorities pretty much aligned with ours. [4] Adams was sworn in as Portland mayor on January 1, 2009. He was 44 years old.