Marion County Courthouse. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter)
Sam Brentano, who has served on the Marion County Board of Commissioners since 2003, won’t seek reelection in 2020.
Brentano also plans to endorse current Salem-Keizer School Board member Danielle Bethell, who announced her candidacy Wednesday.
“I have been a County Commissioner for 16 years and am proud of the work we have gotten done on the commission,” Brentano is quoted saying in a press release sent by Bethell announcing her run.
According to the release, Brentano endorsed Bethell’s “conservative eye toward county government, being fiscally responsible and responsive to the needs of our county.”
Neither Brentano nor Bethell could be reached by press time. The news was first reported by The Statesman-Journal.
Brentano is a former leader of United Disposal Service and was once the mayor of Sublimity, where he currently lives.
Bethell was elected to the Salem-Keizer School Board in May, defeating three-term incumbent Chuck Lee for a seat representing Keizer. She campaigned on a platform of more active community outreach to parents and teachers.
Though the office is nonpartisan, Bethell’s campaign drew significant support from the Marion County Republicans and Oregon Right to Life, as well as several Keizer businesses.
It’s not clear whether Bethell plans to retain her seat on the school board.
In her press release, Bethell cited her experience on the school board, as well as running her own business, being a mother and her role as executive director of the Keizer Chamber of Commerce.
“We have some tough challenges in our county but by bringing our communities together we can find solutions. Whether it be tackling homelessness, responsibly managing our natural resources, or making healthcare more affordable, we need local officials who will face these issues head-on. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty, ask the hard questions, listen thoughtfully, and find collaborative solutions to tough issues.”
Have a tip? Contact reporter Troy Brynelson at 503-575-9930, [email protected] or @TroyWB.
