Look for Progressive Salem’s booth at the protest!
September 1, 1:00-4:00 at The Capitol, Center and Summer Streets
Event: Autocracy and Oligarchy in American History
Local Keizer resident Larry Scruggs, who has a doctorate in urban studies, will examine how autocratic tendencies and oligarchic structures have influenced our nation’s political and economic development from the founding era to the present day. Drawing on his expertise in social change, Scruggs will help attendees understand the historical context behind current debates about wealth inequality, corporate influence, and democratic governance. The presentation will examine both the mechanisms that have allowed power concentration and the grassroots movements that have challenged these tendencies throughout our history.
How we win an election
A presentation by Tina Calos, Kirk Leonard, and Chris Hoy
Saturday, August 2, 10 am at the Marion Democrats HQ
The program will introduce new members and prospective members to Progressive Salem’s mission by describing the recent Mai Vang campaign and how the group succeeded in supporting her election to the Ward 6 City Councilor position. Veteran members will also learn from our recent success.
Our program is for all comers, but we hope new members to Progressive Salem will plan to come to learn more about its vision for our group. And of course, we always welcome others who are prospective members and are interested in learning more about our group and its mission. We hope the program will inspire you to get involved with our upcoming campaigns in a way that suits your interests.
We hope to see you there!
Event: How we win an election
On Saturday, August 2, at 10:00am, Progressive Salem will host a
program at the Democratic Headquarters, 245 High St NE. This
program is entitled, “How we win an Election,” and will feature Tina
Calos and Kirk Leonard. The program is designed to introduce new
members and prospective members to Progressive Salem’s mission
by describing the recent Mai Vang campaign and how the group
succeeded in supporting her election to Ward 6 City Councilor
position.Tina Calos will present some regional demographic and political
information to establish the progressive potential of Salem’s
registered voters. Kirk Leonard will present the process Progressive
Salem followed to elect Mai Vang, from finding her, to developing a
campaign team, developing a strategy to win, executing on the plan
including creating printed and digital materials and efforts to get out
the vote.Our program is for all comers, but we hope new members to
Progressive Salem will plan to come to learn more about its vision for
our group. And of course, we always welcome others who are
prospective members and are interested in learning more about our
group and its mission. Please put this date on your calendar. We hope
this wil inspire you to get involved with our upcoming campaigns in a
way that suits your interests.Sunday, June 29: Progressive Picnic
Come party with us this Sunday from 1-3pm!
Bring a pal, some food to share, and a spare chair if you have one, though picnic tables are available. Drinks, dishes, and cutlery are provided. There’ll be a pinata to whack as a cathartic way to kick off fundraising for next year’s four councilor seat races plus the mayor. Recharge and mingle with friends new and old, taste dishes from every ward, and hear some brief updates.
To beat the heat, we will be in a shady pavilion surrounded by trees with plenty of cool drinks. If you’ve never been to Woodmansee Park before, please note it is on the right as you enter the park from Sunnyside Road SE.2025 Pride Parade and Block Party
You’re invited to volunteer at our table at Salem’s 2025 Pride Parade and Block Party.
The event takes place downtown from noon to 5pm on Saturday June 7th. We’ll be handing out balloon art made by PS member Meda! Here are the short shifts we are looking to fill:
Set up at noon to 2:30pm
Breakdown at 5pmCome join in the fun!! If you are available for these shifts, or really any other increment of time, please send a message to marissa.theve [at] gmail.com. It would be awesomesauce to have a hearty crew spreading a welcoming progressive message as allies in the community! Now more than ever it’s important to stand up and affirm that queer folx belong in Salem and to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community here.
More details about the event: https://salemcapitalpride.org/pride-parade-and-block-party/
Progressive Salem candidate wins council seat
By Peter Bergel
Progressive Salem’s focus in this election was to elect progressive candidate Mai Vang to fill conservative Mayor Julie Hoy’s vacated Ward 6 seat on the City Council. It appears that we were successful at doing so. Unofficial results show Vang with 45% of the vote, main competitor Deanna Garcia with 38%, and distant third Logan Lor with 17%. Since this is a special election, there will be no run-off in November, meaning that Vang will become Salem’s Ward 6 councilor.
This is an important win for Progressive Salem as we solidify a 6-3 progressive majority on the Council.
Progressive Salem assisted Vang in a variety of ways: sending out three targeted mailings in Ward 6, helping her with canvassing and phoning, offering campaign advice and providing input into her Voters’ Pamphlet statement. Both of her campaign managers are Progressive Salem members.
Progressive Salem was happy to celebrate Mai’s winning campaign by co-hosting a watch party with the Marion County Democrats at their downtown headquarters on election night. We welcomed Mai’s parents and sister, all the way from their home in Missoula, Montana. What a proud moment for them!
Other Races We Care About:
Almost all the other ballot races went Progressive Salem’s way:
The Salem Livability Levy passed 56% to 44%.
The Chemeketa Community College bond measure passed 52% to 48%.
Three of the four progressives running for Salem-Keizer School Board won their races: Lisa Harnish, Mel Fuller and Karina Guzman Ortiz.
What’s Next for Progressive Salem?
Progressive Salem will now turn its attention to a number of concerns that were temporarily shelved during the campaign. These include:
Expanding our membership
Improving our membership’s facility with social media
Fleshing out our finance/funding committee
Developing a stronger community within Progressive Salem
Offering political education presentations
Other efforts aimed at making our organization stronger and more able to meet future challenges.
The members of the Board and of Progressive Salem’s four committees look forward to working with you to promote a progressive agenda in Salem as we prepare for next year’s election challenges.
Keep the Progressive Pressure On!
Contact Progressive Salem in one of these ways!
info@progressivesalem.org
Facebook: facebook.com/progressivesalem
Bluesky: Progressivesalem.bsky.social
Instagram: Progressive Salem
Join our get out the vote blitz before polls close Tuesday, May 20
Your voice matters! Join our GOTV blitz before polls close Tuesday at 8 PM!
Hit the streets with our energetic team and connect with neighbors face-to-face! We’ve got routes of all sizes ready for you to make a real difference in this crucial election.
Rather stay cozy? No problem! Grab your phone and join our virtual phone bank from your living room! We’ll be calling Ward 6 neighbors together – quick training sessions Sunday and Monday night will get you ready to roll.
Time is running out! Get all the details and sign up here:
Follow the Money
Don’t let your vote be bought. No special interests on the Salem City Council.
Time is running out! Get all the details and sign up 
