Progressive Salem

Author: Dan

  • Saturday, February 7: Canvassing 101, with Ron Morgan

    Organized People Can Beat Organized Money…

    …but not if there are not enough organized people. In the last Salem mayor’s race, an unprecedented surge of organized money beat the best progressive mayor Salem has had in a couple of decades.

    Be part of the organized people who beat organized money in May 2026. Start the New Year off right by attending Canvassing 101 with guest instructor Ron Morgan from DPO on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Ron will share best-known canvassing practices, and a panel of extraordinary local canvassers will share their tips.

    Ron Morgan, DPO

    Canvassing 101, with Ron Morgan

    Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 10 a.m.
    Marion County Dems Office
    245 High Street NE

    Canvassing Mentors Needed

    Be part of expanding Salem’s organized people. To win a mayor’s race, re-elect three outstanding progressive city councilors and win one more progressive seat on the council, we need more organized people knocking on doors.

    If you are an experienced canvasser, volunteer to have a less-experienced person walk with you to make canvassing seem less mysterious.

    If you would like to become a mentor, contact Kathy Graham at
    kgraham@willamette.edu or text or call 503-510-7123.

    Organized People Still Need Some Money

    Help Progressive Salem help our candidates. Send a check to:

    Progressive Salem
    P.O. Box 224
    Salem, OR 97308

    Or donate via ActBlue (also see link at the top of this page).
    If you have not yet paid your $25 dues for the 2025-2026 election year, you can send a check to the same address or pay online at the link above.
    Thank you for helping make Salem more progressive.

  • Save the date: Vanessa Nordyke campaign kick-off party

    Vanessa Nordyke for major

    Time & Location

    Jan 10, 2026, 6:30 PM

    Spinning Room @ Willamette Heritage Ctr, 1313 Mill St SE, Salem, OR 97301

    Please RSVP here

    About the event

    Join Us for an Evening with Vanessa Nordyke—Salem’s Next Mayor!

    Salem is growing, and we need a leader who’s ready. Join us for an evening with Vanessa Nordyke—current Ward 7 City Councilor, child advocate, and proven community champion—as she shares her vision for Salem’s future.

    Vanessa has the experience to tackle our biggest challenges: affordable housing, public safety, and smart growth that preserves our community’s character. As Executive Director of CASA of Marion County and former Assistant Attorney General, she’s spent her career fighting for those who need it most. From serving on the Citizens Budget Committee to advocating for mental health and veterans’ services, Vanessa has been working for Salem families for decades.

    Support the future of Salem in an evening of fun and hope.

    This is a family-friendly event. Refreshments provided with cash bar.

    RSVP here

  • Mark your calendar for First Tuesday with Mai Vang

    Mai Vang for City Council ward 6

    Meet up with your Progressive Salem friends at First Tuesday, December 2nd, 4:30-6:30 at the Taproot Lounge and Café, 356 State St., Salem. Join us for a conversation with Mai Vang, Ward 6 Council member, who faces re-election in May. 

    Learn how you can get involved with her re-election. Hope to see you there! 

  • First Tuesday at the Taproot Lounge and Cafe

    Linda Nishioka for Ward 2

    Please join us for First Tuesday at the Taproot Lounge and Cafe at 356 State Street, Salem, on November 4, 2025 from 4:30 to 6:30. Come in after work to share some snacks and conversation with like-minded people.

    Linda Nishioka, Ward 2 City Councilor, will join us at 5 p.m. to tell us about her candidacy for re-election and answer your questions.

    Hope to see you there!

  • Progressive Salem supports Linda Nishioka for Ward 2

    Linda Nishioka for Ward 2

    Linda Nishioka has served Salem’s Ward 2 with dedication and a depth of experience since joining the City Council in August 2022. Her transition from a distinguished healthcare career —including 22 years as Department Director for Willamette Ear, Nose, and Throat and nearly three decades in dentistry — brought valuable leadership and problem-solving skills to our city government. 

    Throughout her tenure, Linda has championed critical community priorities including livability, housing, public safety, and responsible development, while tackling complex challenges like homelessness. Her prior service as Vice-Chair of Salem’s Downtown Advisory Board demonstrated her commitment to the city’s vitality long before taking elected office. She currently serves as City Council President.
     
    As her current term continues through December 2026, Progressives in Ward 2 are excited to see Councilor Nishioka pursue re-election. Councilor Linda Nishioka has filed for office and returned signatures, the first Progressive Salem candidate to qualify for the May 2026 ballot. 
     
    We look forward to supporting Linda as she builds on her record of community service and bringing her practical, solution-oriented approach to the continued challenges facing Salem’s residents.

  • Join us on Labor Day to support workers

    Look for Progressive Salem’s booth at the protest!

    September 1, 1:00-4:00 at The Capitol, Center and Summer Streets

    Labor Day protest at the Oregon Capitol in Salem. September 1 from 1:00 to 4:00

  • Event: Autocracy and Oligarchy in American History

    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.

    RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/scruggs-oligarchy

  • 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

    Tina Calos, Kirk Leonard, and Chris Hoy

    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

    Progressive Salem 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.