First Tuesday at Taproot will include special guests Mai Vang, candidate for City Council, Ward 6, and David Inbody, candidate in Ward 4. Please join us for a time of fellowship and good fun along with good food and beverages.
Hope to see you there.
Taproot Lounge and Cafe
356 State Street, Salem
4:30 to 6:30
Tuesday, April 7
Let’s get out and talk to the voters that will make the difference for Salem.
If you have never canvassed or feel nervous about canvassing, we can pair you with a more experienced canvasser. If you want to canvass in your own neighborhood, we can cut a custom turf for you. If you have mobility issues, we can give you a small turf in a flat neighborhood. Let us know ahead of time by responding to this email.
We talk to targeted voters that are likely to vote in a May election and are likely to vote for our candidates. They want to know, and need to know, which are the more progressive candidates.
Canvassing Schedule
Join the No Kings Rally on Saturday 3/28
Beat the crowd. Come to the Democrats Office at 10 AM to pick up a turf and literature. You can secure a parking spot downtown before other protestors and can complete your turf later in the day or on Sunday. The Democrats’ office is only four blocks from the protest.
Next Week -We are adding new canvassing times.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Plan to come to the first-ever all ages mayoral forum at the Salem Public Library on Sunday, April 12th at 2 pm. Bring the whole family! Send in a question using the QR code below.
Taproot Lounge and Cafe
356 State Street, Salem
Tuesday, March 3, 4:30 to 6:30
Micki Varney, candidate for city council
and Vanessa Nordyke, candidate for mayor
Join like-minded progressive friends and meet Micki and Vanessa in a small group setting
This is how we win — by knocking on doors and talking to friendly voters who vote Progressive. We’ll be doing it every Saturday and Sunday until the election in May.
On Saturdays at 10 am
Meet at the Marion County Democrats Headquarters
245 High St. NE Across from the Transit Mall
We canvass for Vanesa Nordkye for Mayor and for Linda Nishioka, Mai Vang, and Micki Varney for City Council
On Sundays at 1 pm
Canvass for Dave Inbody in Ward 4
Go here to sign up as a volunteer for Dave and get more information
If you are new to canvassing we can pair you up with an experienced canvasser. Please join us!
By Kathleen Trepa
Mai Vang was elected to Ward 6 in the May 2025 special election and is running for re-election for a full term.
A Willamette University Law School graduate and daughter of Vietnam War refugees, Mai brings a strong sense of family, cultural diversity, the value of community and the belief in the American dream to Ward 6 and the City Council. Mai has already shown she leads with her heart and values.
Mai’s primary goals are to focus on transportation improvements, including traffic calming, pedestrian safety, and access to bus routes and bike lanes. She is committed to improving 911 response times in Ward 6. She supports the construction of the previously approved local Fire Station and funding the necessary police and fire resources to effectively serve Ward 6. She also champions the Community Violence Reduction Initiative.
Housing affordability is a critical issue in East Salem, which is home to many minority and lower income neighborhoods. Mai’s dedication to supporting renter protections and rights is driven by her personal experience as a renter; she will propose a city task force of property owners and renters to explore options to protect affordable rental housing.
Helping people keep their homes is a more cost-effective and humane strategy than only funding intervention efforts once people become unhoused. As a result, she supports the re-establishment of the City’s Social Services Advisory Board with an annual $400,000 budget. Fifteen percent of Salem’s population lives below the Marion County poverty line, and the bi-annual Point In Time homeless count shows that the majority of Salem’s unhoused are from Salem. Mai believes the City should and can do more to help keep her neighbors housed.
Join Progressive Salem in supporting Mai’s re-election campaign. To learn more, please visit electmaivang.com.
Taproot Lounge and Café
356 State Street, Salem
4:30 to 6:30
David Inbody, will be our special guest. David is running for election to represent Ward 4 in May. Ward 4 includes most of Salem south of Kuebler. This seat is currently held by Deanna Gwyn, a Republican and real estate agent, with a narrow perspective.
Meet David, learn about his background and what he can bring to Salem, and how you might help with his campaign.
Jan 10, 2026, 6:30 PM
Spinning Room @ Willamette Heritage Ctr, 1313 Mill St SE, Salem, OR 97301
Please RSVP here
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
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!
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.