After seeming to drop out of a race for Portland school board last week, Derrick Peterson has shared another statement saying — again — he’s withdrawing.
“After considering the state of my family’s health and concern for my endorsers and supporters, I am officially withdrawing from the race,” the statement, dated May 10 on Peterson’s website, read.
That website seemed to go through several changes Wednesday. Earlier in the day, the site featured a large picture of Peterson, with tabs to “Meet Derrick” and another tab listing “Priorities.” As the day went on, a new tab appeared with an earlier statement dated May 3 saying he was withdrawing from the race.
A campaign sign for Derrick Peterson, who announced Wednesday, May 10, that he's withdrawing from the race for Portland school board.
Rob Manning / OPB
By the afternoon, the photos were gone. The homepage was replaced with the statement issued Wednesday.
Peterson has faced backlash and criticism for ties to Christian nationalists, ties he denied in that statement. Christian nationalism is a worldview that claims the U.S. is a Christian nation and that the country’s laws should therefore be rooted in Christian values.
“I want to be clear; I am not a Christian Nationalist,” he wrote. “I stand by my life’s work, my extensive civic engagement ... I have not wavered and for decades have been consistent in who I am, my message and working towards the betterment of humanity.”
After issuing his initial statement withdrawing from the race last week, Peterson told at least one person, Portland school board member Eilidh Lowery over text, that he would remain on the board if he was voted in. In his statement on May 3, Peterson had said he would resign if elected.
OPB’s messages to Peterson and his campaign were not returned.
The new statement on the website does not mention anything about resigning if he is elected. Peterson could still win if he gets the most votes in next week’s election. His name is already on Multnomah County voters’ ballots, along with his opponent Patte Sullivan.
Over the last week, Peterson has also lost key endorsements, including from several current Portland school board members.