Jewel Lansing served as the elected City of Portland Auditor from 1983 to 1986 and as Multnomah County Auditor from 1975 to 1982. Portland: People, Politics, and Power, 1851-2001 is the definitive book on Portland's political history. She is the author of five other books, including two about women and politics, and a murder mystery set in Portland City Hall.