Salem’s mayoral candidates discuss upcoming election

Various hands holding civic tools, a Willamette ID card among them. Art by Adrian Axtell.

With Oregon’s primary election approaching on May 19, incumbent Mayor Julie Hoy and Councilor Vanessa Nordyke, both mayoral candidates, agreed to discuss the upcoming election with The Collegian. Hoy chose to respond to questions with written answers, while Nordyke spoke with The Collegian.

The voter registration deadline for the May primary ended April 28, with ballots mailing out starting April 29. Election day will be the final deadline for voters to return their ballots. 

Candidate differences

The Collegian asked its readers via Instagram what questions they had for the candidates, then handpicked some for the interviews.One reader asked: “What makes you a better choice than the other candidate?”

In response, Hoy stated, “What sets me apart is that I’m focused on the basics that matter most to people’s daily lives.” She continued to explain that among these “basics” are safe neighborhoods, a balanced budget and a city that functions well. She further stated that she is “not interested in politics for its own sake or using this role [mayor] as a stepping stone.”

She said that she is interested in doing the work required of a politician. “Over the past year, we’ve [Salem administration] taken real steps to stabilize our finances, improve safety, and restore a sense of direction at City Hall.” She also explained that she focused on results: “I show up, I ask hard questions, and I stay focused on results- not rhetoric.” 

In response to the same question, Nordyke said, “I represent the candidate for the people,” pointing toward her and her opponent's historic political bases. “The difference goes to who has voted for me historically and who has donated to my campaign,” she said. 

Referring to the Oregon Secretary of State website for campaign finances, Nordyke explained, “You can go and see who’s giving to whose campaign and that’s how you know who is going to be the candidate of the people.” 

Under Hoy, committees who have donated to her campaign include the Salem Fire PAC, Mid-Valley Affordable Housing Coalition and Oregon Realtors PAC. She’s also endorsed by the Salem Police Employees Union and the Marion + Polk First PAC, which has historically backed Republican candidates.

“I’ve made a name for this community based on affordability, on supporting our immigrant community, believing in climate change,” Nordyke said. “I’ve been on council since 2019, and in that time I helped oversee an affordable housing boom in the city of Salem.”

Committees representing Nordyke through donations include Polk County Democratic Central Committee, Marion County Democratic Central Committee and Community for Salem-Keizer Schools. 

College students must-know

Considering that voter turnout in Oregon for the primary elections was roughly 35% in 2024, Nordyke said, “Local elections matter. If you are upset by what you’re seeing at the national level, please know that all politics start local.”

She added, “If you care about having an affordable place to live after you graduate or while you’re on campus … then you should care about your local elections. … If you care about things like racial justice, it matters how we run our local police department. I voted to create our first-ever body camera program [in Salem], which has increased accountability on both sides of the lens.”

Hoy discussed what the Salem community means to her. “I want students to know that there is real reason for hope in Salem,” Hoy said. “My work is rooted in genuine care for the people who live here, not politics. Your voice matters, and your involvement matters. Whether it’s through service, advocacy, or simply staying engaged, you are a very important part of shaping Salem’s future.”

Infrastructure changes in Salem 

Another reader asked about candidates’ plans for infrastructure changes in Salem, if they had any. The city of Salem website has a dedicated “Plans & Projects” page on its website, listing Salem as responsible for “owning, operating, and planning infrastructure to meet the community’s needs today and in the future.” The site lists detailed plans for business districts, climate action, community engagement, housing, improvements for parks and neighborhoods, and transportation planning.

“We need to increase our tree canopy because that is one of our climate action goals, [to] reduce greenhouse emissions,” Nordyke said. “For infrastructure, I want to invest more in affordable housing.” Nordyke has placed a strong emphasis on affordable housing throughout her campaign.

She discussed that though there are funding constraints regarding the mayoral position, “as a mayor, you’re in a position to recruit people who have a similar value of prioritizing affordable housing over McMansions.” She said that consideration needs to go toward people who currently live in Salem. 

Additionally, Nordyke emphasized that she wants Salem to create more pathways, so people who want to walk and ride bikes have places to do so. “This [West Coast] is a very auto-centric culture, and honestly, people want more livable, walkable communities,” she said.

Hoy explained from her perspective that infrastructure isn’t “just about big projects” but that “it’s about how our city feels day to day.” She noted, “We’re [Salem administration] taking a more coordinated, results-driven approach to downtown through a partnership model that brings together public safety, housing, behavioral health, businesses, non-profits and community voices.” 

The first step, as stated by Hoy, begins with consistent cleanliness and livability efforts in Salem through regular cleanups, service coordination and proactive outreach to people struggling within the community. She said her focus is on making sure people see and feel progress and that a strong city starts with strong neighborhoods. 

Salem to national politics

Located across from the State Capitol, Willamette University students experience an intersection of national and local politics through legislation, protests and the implementation of federal policies. 

In order to handle changing state and national policies, Hoy’s approach stems from building “strong, functional relationships with our state and federal partners so they understand what’s really happening on the ground in Salem.”

Nordyke mentioned her own personal leadership through the Salem state of emergency declaration regarding federal immigration enforcement: “As part of that declaration of state emergency, it mobilized city resources so the Salem Police Department now has created specific policies on what to do if they counter ICE in the field. … It requires them to ensure that body camera recording happens from the entire situation. … We have to hold these people accountable. … We have to protect our people.” This is in reference to her presenting the state of emergency in Salem to the City Council on Nov. 24, 2025, which was later passed on Dec. 1, 2025. Hoy joined Nordyke in voting to create a social services fund in tandem with the declaration. 

Nordyke on 2025 livability levy 

On her campaign website under “accomplishments,” Nordyke lists that she voted to place the livability levy up for voter consideration, which was voter approved May 20, 2025. The levy is a property tax that will be used to fund operations and programs for the Salem Public Library and additional community services from 2025-2030. 

“There are livability, affordability issues. … The library is that third space where anyone can go,” she said. “To me, your leader needs to reflect what your residents want. You need to bring those issues to the floor, and you need to fight for them.”

Hoy mayoral reflection

When asked if there were outstanding issues Hoy would want to address if reelected, she said she would focus on improving safety and livability, especially downtown. “This past year, we’ve taken a more intentional, collaborative approach by bringing together law enforcement, housing providers, behavioral health professionals … and community members to work on these challenges together,” she said. “Since I became Mayor I have been working closely with Bloomberg Philanthropies Center for Cities and Harvard University.” 

Hoy explained that through the city improvement program she applied for, a Harvard fellow will come to Salem this summer to assist Salem administration through downtown expansion.

Willamette community 

In a final address to the Willamette community, both candidates discussed Willamette’s importance in Salem.

“I’d encourage students and faculty alike to stay involved and to continue growing their network of connection, your energy, ideas, and commitment are part of what makes Salem a better place to live,” Hoy concluded. 

Nordyke finished with the statement, “I want to invite the Willamette population to be a part of the solution. … We need to activate the youth vote because the decisions I will make as your next mayor will impact you.”

With the upcoming election, Oregon drop box locator allows residents to submit their address to locate the nearest ballot drop site. 

Voted ballots must be submitted by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.