Tigard City Councilor Yi-Kang Hu is seeking the mayor's seat recently vacated by Heidi Lueb.
Courtesy of City of Tigard
The Tigard City Council has selected a new mayor to lead the city forward following a contentious period at City Hall. In a 5-1 vote Tuesday night, the council appointed Councilor Yi-Kang Hu to the mayor’s seat vacated by Heidi Lueb last month.
City leaders selected Hu over Councilor Jeanette Shaw, who also stated interest in the position after Lueb’s resignation. Shaw provided the lone no vote for Hu’s appointment, though she said she felt “conflicted” and congratulated Hu.
Hu, a food and drug lawyer by trade, was first elected to council in 2022. Shaw has served on council since her first election in 2020.
The appointment comes not only on the heels of Lueb’s resignation after an investigation found she engaged in disrespectful workplace conduct but also as City Manager Brent Stockwell is on leave.
Stockwell, who has only been on the job for four months, was placed on leave by the council last week, two weeks after records obtained by OPB revealed several high-level city staffers had left the city after years of toxicity between city management and staff.
Answering collected questions from community members, staff and councilors, Hu said it was critical city employees felt safe reporting their concerns to city management.
Hu also spoke about how important it was for all people to feel safe and welcome in Tigard.
Hu was born in Taiwan and came to the United States with his family as a child. He voiced support for Oregon’s sanctuary laws that bar local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
“People should feel safe calling 911,” he said. “No one should be afraid to reach out for support.”
Prior to Hu and Shaw answering questions, the council heard from community members on the appointment process, a majority of whom supported Hu.
Before the council’s vote, Hu shared what it means to him to serve the city of Tigard.
“Tigard has been my home for over 20 years,” he said. “It’s where my husband Abram and I built our life, where I started my business and where neighbors have become friends. It’s also where I have the privilege to serve in so many ways.”
Councilors thanked both Hu and Shaw for their leadership and willingness to serve as mayor.
“I’ve valued you both as council colleagues and sort of mentor-figures in my time being on council and I really look forward to our work together over the coming months and years, regardless of who is mayor,” Councilor Jake Schlack said.
Hu will serve the remainder of Lueb’s term, which expires at the end of 2026. Though the council did not discuss it Tuesday night, they’ve previously said they will work with the community to fill the appointee’s vacant council seat.
