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Friday, March 13, 2026
2025 Annual Report to Constituents
Dear neighbors,
Over the past year we’ve worked together to tackle major challenges facing Portland, from housing and street safety to strengthening our local economy and public institutions.
When you elected me, I promised to fight for housing that Portlanders can afford, public safety rooted in care, living wages, and a local government accountable to the people it serves. With your help, we made meaningful progress on many of these goals in 2025.
Residents like you organized, canvassed, spoke out, and stepped up to serve on boards and commissions, helping move important policy changes forward. Together we delivered real wins for working families while also laying the groundwork for long-term solutions to our most challenging issues.
Meaningful policy change rarely happens in a single vote or a single year. It requires sustained effort in building coalitions, strengthening institutions, and putting the pieces in place for long-term change. This report highlights some of what we accomplished together this year and the work we’ve done to set Portland on a stronger path for the future.
As I share this update, I also want you to know that I will not be seeking re-election to the City Council when my current term concludes. I feel proud of the progress we’ve made together and confident about the direction we’ve set.
I still have eight months left in my term, and there is plenty more work to do. One of the most important efforts now underway is the Social Housing Task Force, which is halfway through its year-long charge to develop a plan for permanently affordable, publicly owned housing in Portland. This work has the potential to shape our city for generations, and it will be essential that the momentum we’ve built continues. That will be my primary focus for the remainder of my term.
Thank you for the trust you placed in me and for everything you have done to help move our city forward.
-Kate
ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764
Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.
Kate Sykes for District Five 