Salem City Councilor Chris Hoy. (Courtesy/ Chris Hoy)
Chris Hoy, a Salem city councilor and recently appointed representative of House District 21, is running for mayor.
Hoy, 56, announced his candidacy Tuesday morning on community radio show “Willamette Wake Up.”
When reached Tuesday, Hoy said he chose to run because there’s momentum on the council and he wants to help capitalize on that.
“I feel like I can provide that strong leadership,” he said.
Hoy said the council has been working on efforts to improve homelessness, downtown revitalization and climate action.
He said he wants to continue his work on homelessness, which includes bringing to fruition a long sought after navigation center that needs more funding.
He said he’s also like to explore a program that would provide a more systematic approach to cleaning up trash in the city that’s “proactive rather than reactive.”
Hoy’s opponents are union organizer Hollie Oakes-Miller, who unsuccessfully ran against Jose Gonzalez in the last council election, and Chane Griggs, president of the Rotary Club of Salem and the city’s planning commission.
The filing deadline is March 8, with a primary election May 17. The new mayor would take office in January 2023.
Hoy was appointed to Brian Clem’s vacant Legislative seat in December, a term which expires at the end of 2022.
He said he has no plans to run for that seat and wouldn’t be eligible to run in the new district based on where he lives.
“I wouldn’t try to do the mayor’s position as well as something else,” Hoy said.
Hoy represents Ward 6 on the council, east Salem. That seat is also up for election in 2022.
Current Mayor Chuck Bennett’s is serving his third term, which ends at the end of next year. Bennett previously told Salem Reporter he would endorse Hoy.
Hoy said he’s been a lifelong public servant, from 30 years in law enforcement to four years on council.
“Leadership and public service, that’s what the mayor’s job is all about,” he said.
Contact reporter Saphara Harrell at 503-549-6250, [email protected].
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