
Good evening, Salem.
Bethell has launched a campaign website and intends to challenge Gov. Tina Kotek in 2026 – though she’ll first have to win a Republican Party primary to do so. She’s the first candidate with significant political experience to launch a campaign for that nomination. Candidates can file for office beginning in September.
Bethell has been a vocal critic of Kotek and Oregon’s Democratic leadership over issues including business regulation, mental health treatment and the criminal justice system. Her campaign website touts her work on wildfire recovery with Marion County.
Bethell began her political career as a Salem-Keizer School Board director in 2019 and was elected Marion County Commissioner in 2020. She resigned from the school board in 2022 and won a second term as commissioner unopposed last November.
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After efforts from U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas helped unfreeze a federal grant for Elderberry Wisdom Farm, students in the Salem area will be able to help increase tree coverage by…
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