Category Politics
VOTE 2026: Meet your candidates for Salem City Council Ward 2
Council President Linda Nishioka, a retired department director at Willamette Ear, Nose and Throat, is seeking a second term representing south central Salem. Her challenger is Manny Martinez, a political newcomer and small business owner.
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More than 80 Republicans vie for party’s nomination in legislative races ahead of May primary
Republican strategists hope party winners in the primary will flip several House and Senate seats in the Willamette Valley and along the Oregon Coast.
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VOTE 2026: Meet your candidates for Salem City Council Ward 8
Councilor Micki Varney, a retired fish biologist, is running to secure another four years as West Salem’s city councilor. Challenging her for a second time is local business owner Chris Cummings, who narrowly lost the primary race against Varney in 2022.
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Nearly 100 Democrats vie for party’s nomination in legislative races ahead of May primary
A number of new, progressive Democrats are running in Oregon’s legislative primary races and challenging more moderate incumbents.
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VOTE 2026: Meet your candidates for Salem City Council Ward 6
Councilor Mai Vang, an attorney, is running for a full term on the Salem City Council after winning the seat in a 2025 special election. Challenging her is business owner Betsy Vega.
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As GOP candidates spar to be Oregon governor, some nominations pose an uphill battle
A Jan. 6 rioter is among the 10 candidates who failed to make the stage for the GOP governor’s race’s first major debate on April 16. Meanwhile, nine Democrats are challenging Gov. Tina Kotek for the Democratic nomination.
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WHAT’S AT STAKE: How city council races could impact Salem’s development
Both conservatives and progressives agree that Salem needs more housing and generally want to cut red tape to bring in more development. But the sides often differ on how far the city should go to accommodate developers — and many aspects of development are outside direct council control.
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Meet the two Republicans vying to flip Oregon’s 5th Congressional District
Communications professional Jonathan Lockwood and Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair are competing to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum.
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Oregon’s GOP beat out critics to launch an anti-tax ballot referral. Can they do it again?
A new tax referendum proposal that deals with Oregon’s automatic copying of federal tax policy will test the political might of grassroots Republican activists and their allies in Salem.
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