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.
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!
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.
…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.
Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Marion County Dems Office
245 High Street NE
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.
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.
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!
Look for Progressive Salem’s booth at the protest!
September 1, 1:00-4:00 at The Capitol, Center and Summer Streets
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.
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 5pm
Come 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/