Selma Pierce, former candidate for House District 20. (Courtesy of Selma Pierce)
Selma Pierce, a Salem politician and retired dentist, died after being struck by a car Tuesday evening in west Salem.
Pierce, 66, was walking on Doaks Ferry Road NW near Hidden Valley Drive NW around 5 p.m. when she was struck by a car, Salem police said in a news release.
Police said Pierce was in the roadway when she was struck. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver is cooperating with the investigation, police said.
Pierce has twice run for a seat in Oregon’s House District 20 against Rep. Paul Evans, most recently in November.
She is the wife of 2016 GOP gubernatorial candidate Bud Pierce, who announced Tuesday morning he would run for governor again in 2022.
“Selma Pierce, the glue of the Pierce family, an angel of a person, the only woman that I have ever loved, died this evening in a sudden and tragic accident,” Bud Pierce wrote in a statement. “We cannot believe that she has left us, but we are comforted in the knowledge that she is with God, and we will see her again.”
Selma Pierce previously worked as a legislative aide for the late state Sen. Jackie Winters. She has been involved with Oregon Mission of Mercy, a free dental clinic for underserved populations.
Selma dedicated her life to serving people,” House Republican Leader Christine Drazan wrote in a statement. “She touched the lives of thousands through volunteer dental work to at-risk populations, service on local education foundations, and her and her husband Bud’s generous support of countless community organizations. The Pierces are a pillar of the Salem community and this loss will be felt deeply across our state. Our prayers are with Bud and the entire Pierce family this evening.”
Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
HOLIDAY SPECIAL: SAVE 25% off a one-year subscription to Salem Reporter. Get quality Salem news delivered to your inbox. Every subscription helps build coverage of the Salem community. Order online HERE.
