Listen to our interview with writer Tarek Anthony about his coverage of the mayoral campaigns:
On Nov. 14, 2023, Eugene resident Shanaè Joyce-Stringer announced her candidacy for mayor of Eugene, giving Kaarin Knudson — who is endorsed by current Mayor Lucy Vinis — an opponent to run against in the May 2024 mayoral primary election.
Vinis announced in the fall that she would not be seeking re-election in 2024, leaving the race thus far between Knudson, Joyce-Stringer and another Eugene resident, Douglas Barr. Barr filed for candidacy on Dec. 5, 2023. The filing deadline is March 6th.
Joyce-Stringer, a Miami, Florida native, moved to Eugene three years ago in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She began working in the Eugene 4J school district before transitioning to become a program coordinator with the Lane County Education Service District in November 2021.
Since moving to Eugene in 2020, Joyce-Stringer said that she has become an active member of the Eugene community, working to inspire change throughout her educational work. Joyce-Stringer said she wants to expand this work to a broader level as mayor.
“I know that as a millennial, as a woman of color and as a budding entrepreneur, that I offer a unique perspective to the city and I know that Eugene can thrive under leadership that actually reflects the diversity and aspiration of all of its residents,” Joyce-Stringer said. “I’m definitely deeply rooted in the community and [have] ties to the community. And it’s been my participation in local events and Program Council boards that really gave me great insight into the needs of the community.”
If elected, Joyce-Stringer said she wants to focus on making Eugene a city of “sustainable growth” by preserving resident’s access to Eugene’s extensive green space, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for Eugene residents and making safe spaces for public gathering and community building.
Joyce-Stringer says that she plans to ensure housing equity and equitable government representation for all Eugene residents.
“We need to look at inclusive leadership. I believe in a city where every voice is heard regardless of background or circumstances in life,” Joyce-Stringer said. “I am deeply committed to addressing our housing challenges by continuing to support creative and diverse options and ensuring greater housing stability for those in need.”
Joyce-Stinger did not offer any concrete plans of how she would address the housing crisis.
Between 2006 and 2015 Joyce-Stringer worked as an educator for school systems in Florida. She also taught students of the Seminole Native American Tribe in Clewiston, Fla., where she stayed for almost two years.
In 2017, Joyce-Stringer stepped away from teaching to focus on her company, B.L.A.Q. Events, a full service event planning and consultation firm she founded in 2011. In 2018, Joyce-Stringer became an ordained Evangelist and life coach, and began another entrepreneurial endeavor, “Shanaè Joyce-Stringer Enterprise.”
Her new business encompassed her ministry and life coaching work, as well as her book publications, which include the children’s book “Princess N’s First Day of School” and the faith-based relationship book, “Cover Your Covering.”
In recent weeks, many UO students and Eugene residents have held protests regarding Eugene’s elected officials’ positions on the Israel-Hamas war, something that Joyce-Stringer believes could be improved upon if she were elected mayor.
“I think it’s important to acknowledge the multiple faith communities that are here in Eugene and to also acknowledge the multiple viewpoints and perspectives that folks will have on these very important issues such as what’s taking place in Gaza,” Joyce-Stringer said.
Kaarin Knudson, one of Joyce-Stringer’s two opponents, holds the endorsement of Eugene Mayor Vinis, former Mayor Kitty Piercy and five of eight Eugene city council members. Joyce-Stringer is not worried about her opponent having the endorsements of these local politicians.
“We are looking to build a race and campaign that is spreading a message that we are here for the community, we are here to listen,” Joyce-Stringer said. “We may not have right now the backing of many city elected officials, including the mayor. But I know that we do have growing support from everyday Eugene residents, and that is who a mayor is supposed to represent: the everyday folks here in Eugene.”
The Daily Emerald reached out to Knudson for an interview, who did not respond in time for comment.
Eugene’s primary mayoral election will be held on Tuesday, May 21, to determine the ballot for the general election on Nov. 5.
