The chief of staff to Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has resigned.
In a brief written statement, Wheeler thanked Michael Cox for his service but did not go into any reason for his departure: "He is not only a trusted and loyal advisor but also a friend. Michael cares deeply about the progress and the future of the city."
Cox ran Wheeler’s campaign for mayor in 2016 and had served as his communications director in the mayor's office.
Michael Cox, who ran Ted Wheeler's mayoral campaign, on primary night May 17, 2016.
Bradley W. Parks / OPB
Wheeler promoted him to chief of staff just seven months ago. In that role, he was in charge of pushing the mayor’s agenda within City Hall.
Wheeler has suffered through a rough last six months. His colleagues voted down a plan to give the mayor more power to limit protests, and he was overheard complaining about his job and suggesting he may not want a second term in office.
Cox had recently disclosed a romantic relationship with a woman he indirectly supervised in the mayor's office, according to Willamette Week and The Oregonian/Oregonlive. The city attorney determined the relationship did not violate city policies.