On January 12, 2026, our Forum Speaker Series hosted the first public debate between the two candidates running for Mayor of the City of Salem in 2026: Mayor Julie Hoy and Salem City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke.
During the debate, the candidates answered questions from the Chamber’s Board of Directors, the audience, and questions from one another.
Topics included tax policy, homelessness issues, making local government more business-friendly, and public safety.
Thank you to the more than 350 community members who attended this Forum and to the candidates for sharing their visions for Salem’s future.
Thank you also 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.
Finally, we’d like to thank The Political Center Election News (brought to us by the Salem Business Journal) for serving as this month’s Forum Sponsor, and Hagan Hamilton Insurance Solutions for being our Presenting Sponsor for the entire Forum Speaker Series.
We’d also like to thank Businesses for Community for serving as this month’s Forum Sponsor, and Hagan Hamilton Insurance Solutions for being our Presenting Sponsor for the entire Forum Speaker Series.
