Shane Matthews clinches Ward 3 council seat by 42 votes

Nearly a month after election night, Salem’s closest city council race has reached its final tally: voters in south Salem’s Ward 3 elected Shane Matthews by 42 votes.

Matthews, a Realtor, narrowly beat Nathan Soltz, a legislative chief of staff and member of the Morningside Neighborhood Association board, for the seat representing the Faye Wright Neighborhood, Fairview Park and Southeast Mill Creek. It was the most expensive city council race this year.

According to the…