A Salem city councilor is challenging a state representative to represent Salem and Keizer in the Oregon Legislature.
Virginia Stapleton, a Democrat, is running against Rep. Kevin Mannix, a Republican, for House District 21. The district includes central Salem and Keizer along with parts of north and east Salem.
Redistricting in 2021 shifted the boundaries of the district away from east Salem and toward more of Keizer, making the seat a toss-up, especially after Rep. Brian Clem , a Democrat, resigned in 2021.
Salem Mayor Chris Hoy was appointed to serve out Clem’s term but said he did not intend to run for the seat. The redistricting efforts also meant Hoy no longer lived in the district’s boundaries. The 2021 shake-up left the field with no incumbent.
Mannix said he opted to run in 2022 after being encouraged by community members. He won with 51.4% of the vote, flipping the previously Democrat-held seat to Republicans.
The candidates are listed alphabetically.
