On April 13, 2026, our Forum Speaker Series hosted all eight candidates running for Salem City Council seats (in Wards 2, 4, 6, and 8) in the May 2026 Primary Election.
Each candidate provided opening and closing statements illustrating their campaign platforms, answered questions about how they would lead Salem forward on key issues, and had the opportunity to pose one question to their opponent.
Candidates:
Ward 2: Council President Linda Nishioka (Incumbent) and Manny Martinez
Ward 4: Councilor Deanna Gwyn (Incumbent) and Dave Inbody
Ward 6: Councilor Mai Vang (Incumbent) and Betsy Vega
Ward 8: Councilor Micki Varney (Incumbent) and Chris Cummings
In addition, the Forum included the presentation of our monthly Spirit of Salem Award, which went to Chris Blackburn (Clutch Industries), Nat Borchers (Back Line Real Estate), and AJ Nash (Tradition Real Estate Partners) for their vision, work, and investment in downtown Salem’s The Forge property.
Thank you to the Salem Convention Center for providing the venue and meal, and to Allied Video Productions and Capital Community Media for their help with producing this event.
We thank the candidates for sharing with our audience, Hunter Communications for serving as our monthly luncheon sponsor, and Hagan Hamilton Insurance Solutions for serving as the Presenting Sponsor for the entire 2025-2026 Forum Speaker Series season.
Join us again on May 11, as our season of the Forum Speaker Series concludes with a presentation by Oregon’s Chief Prosperity Officer, Tim Knopp, on “Oregon’s Prosperity Roadmap.”
Forum Speaker Series Info & Tickets: https://salemchamber.org/events/forum-speaker-series/
