2026 Eugene Area Election Guide
Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
Return your Ballot by May 19
A Letter from the CEO
At the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, we believe that good policy isn’t just good for business — it’s good for our entire community. When local leaders prioritize economic growth, public safety, housing, and fiscal responsibility, the benefits reach every household, every neighborhood, and every worker in our region.
This May, voters will shape the direction of Eugene and Lane County for years to come. The candidates and measures on your ballot will influence how we attract and retain employers, invest in infrastructure, fund critical services, and build the kind of community where people want to live, work, and raise a family.
We’ve invested significant time getting to know the candidates in our local races — through structured interviews, written questionnaires, and a scoring process grounded in the priorities our members have identified as most important. This year’s guide also includes the Chamber’s positions on two ballot measures and introduces LIFT Lane PAC, expanding our ability to advocate for candidates and policies that drive economic opportunity and community well-being.
Use this guide as a starting point. Read the scores. Explore the questionnaire responses. Attend the Candidate Forum on April 23. And most importantly — make your voice heard by May 19.
Brittany Quick-Warner
President & CEO, Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
Your Nonpartisan Resource for the May 19 Primary
Local elections drive the economic growth and opportunity that benefit our entire community. From public safety to workforce development to taxes and infrastructure, the decisions made at the local level shape whether our region thrives — for businesses, workers, and families alike.
The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce is committed to building a vibrant and prosperous community by including diverse voices, empowering participation, and advocating for policies that create opportunity for all.
How We Evaluated Candidates
Each election cycle, the Eugene Chamber conducts a thorough endorsement process to evaluate candidates’ alignment with the priorities of local employers and job creators. Candidates participated in interviews with a panel of Candidate Review Committee members and completed written questionnaires. They were scored across multiple business-relevant categories specific to each office. The Chamber Board reviewed all evaluations before issuing endorsements.
Scores shown in this guide are aggregate averages across all panelists for each topic area. For consideration by the Board for a Chamber endorsement, candidates must have received a total average overall score of 9 or higher and a unanimous recommendation from the Candidate Review Committee.
Candidates who did not participate in the interview process are noted with “N/A” in place of a score.
Table of Contents
- A Letter from the CEO
- About This Guide Methodology & Scoring
- Ballot Measures 20-373 & 20-381
- LIFT Lane PAC
- City Council Overview
- Eugene - Ward 3 Barofsky, Smith
- Eugene - Ward 4 Yeh, Stedman
- Eugene - Ward 5 Clark, Hatmaker, Aguiar
- Eugene - Ward 6 Evans, Pruce-Zimmerman
- County Commission Overview
- Lane County - Dist. 1 (West Lane) Ceniga, Hiura
- Lane County - Dist. 2 (Springfield) VanGordon, Loveall, Monsoor
- Lane County - Dist. 5 (East Lane) Buch, Pelroy, Zybach
- EWEB Overview
- EWEB - Wards 4 & 5 Brown
- EWEB - At-Large Dziura, Miller
Ballot Measures
We Oppose Measure 20-373: Lane County Watersheds Bill of Rights
While protecting our region’s natural resources is a shared priority, this measure creates broad new legal rights for ecosystems that could lead to significant legal uncertainty, expanded litigation, and unintended impacts on agriculture, housing development, infrastructure, and local employers. Oregon already has strong environmental protections, and this measure introduces unclear enforcement mechanisms that could create risk for local communities and businesses without clear environmental benefit.
We Support Measure 20-381: City of Eugene Library Levy
The Chamber supports the library levy because Eugene’s public libraries play an important role in workforce development, literacy, and access to educational resources for residents of all ages. Maintaining stable funding for library services helps ensure our community continues to offer the learning opportunities and resources that support a strong local workforce and a high quality of life.
These positions reflect the Chamber’s assessment of long-term impacts on economic stability, public services, and the overall business environment.
Strengthening the Business Voice: LIFT Lane PAC
At the Chamber, we’ve worked to thoughtfully evaluate candidates and issues through the lens of what will best support a healthy economy and a flourishing community. But we also know that information alone isn’t enough. If we want to see meaningful progress on the issues that matter most — economic vitality, housing, public safety, and long-term stability — we must be more engaged in the decisions shaping our community.
That’s why we’ve launched the LIFT LANE PAC (Leaders Investing in a Flourishing Tomorrow). In simple terms, a Political Action Committee is a way for a group of people who share common priorities to financially support the candidates and efforts they believe will move their community forward. Our PAC will be used to help fund local campaigns and support candidates who align with a strong and stable regional economy.
This tool is completely separate from the Eugene Chamber’s 501(c)(6) funding and no membership dollars will flow into this PAC. But it is a tool for you, if you wish, to direct funding to help move the needle on issues important to our local economy.
Who Will Shape Eugene’s Next Four Years?
Eugene City Council
The Eugene City Council shapes policy on public safety, housing, economic development, and city services that directly affect local businesses. Councilors make decisions on regulations, fees, and incentives that influence the cost and ease of doing business in Eugene.
How We Scored City Council Candidates
The Candidate Review Committee — composed of Chamber Board members and government affairs council members — developed a scoring rubric tailored to the responsibilities of each elected office, grounded in the priorities identified in the Chamber’s latest member survey: economic development, public safety, housing, and government regulations and taxation.
Panelists scored candidates 1–10 in each category; scores shown are aggregate averages across all panelists. For consideration for a Chamber endorsement, candidates must have received a total average overall score of 9 or higher and a unanimous recommendation from the Candidate Review Committee.
Candidates who did not participate in the interview process are noted with “N/A” in place of a score.
Scoring Categories — City Council
- Economic Development — Understanding of the city’s role in business attraction, retention, and growth
- Public Safety — Position on Unlawful Transfer policy, Downtown Safety Zone, and related initiatives
- Regulatory & Business Climate — Approach to evaluating new costs and regulations (e.g., Public Health Standards) on small businesses
- Fiscal Responsibility — Framework for prioritizing competing budget demands and long-term funding sustainability
- Governance & Decision-Making — Independence from vocal-minority pressure; reliance on diverse inputs beyond public testimony
We also asked every candidate to complete a short, written questionnaire — their responses can be found in each candidate’s profile below.
9.6
Ward 3
John Barofsky
9.8
Ward 5
Mike Clark
9.3
Ward 6
Greg Evans
Ward 3
| Candidate | Econ Dev | Public Safety | Reg & Biz | Fiscal | Governance | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Barofsky | 9.5 | 9.75 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.6 | ✓ ENDORSED |
| Jennifer Smith Did not participate in interview | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | N/A |
About the Candidate
John is a longtime neighbor and volunteer, a 25-year small business owner, a lifelong Democrat, and a trusted voice for Ward 3.
John moved to Eugene in 1981 and went to work at Mazzi’s, where he met two people who would change his life: Beppe, with whom he founded Beppe & Gianni’s restaurant in 1998, and his wife, Conni. John and Conni moved into Ward 3 in 2003.
Over the years, John has built deep civic experience across Eugene’s institutions — serving on the Fairmount Neighbors Board for 24 years, the Eugene Budget Committee, the Eugene Planning Commission, the Street Repair Review Board, the Community Safety Payroll Tax Oversight Committee, and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee. He also currently serves as an EWEB Commissioner.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
Eugene is facing real challenges — rising costs, growing demands on city services, a shortage of housing supply, and a homelessness crisis that reflects deep gaps in how our systems are working. These issues didn’t emerge overnight, and they won’t be solved with simple answers.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
Housing Stability and Affordability, Public Safety & Quality of Life.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
My experience on the budget committee as well as 2 separate revenue committees and the street bond review panel gives me a deep knowledge of the city’s finances and challenges.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: Johnforeugene.com
About the Candidate
I moved to Ward 3 in 1974 and went on to attend Edison Elementary and South Eugene High School. I earned an MA in Urban Planning and was a Long-Range Transportation Planner for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. I returned to Eugene to raise a family in 2005. I have worked for the University of Oregon as a Program Coordinator since 2007 where I was the recipient of the Outstanding Classified Employee award. I obtained a Master’s in Public Administration (graduated Pi Alpha Alpha) from the UO. I have served on multiple policy-focused committees including: Eugene’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (chair); Lane Council of Government’s Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee; LTD’s Budget Committee; Mayor of Eugene’s Permanent Shelter Task Force; Walkable Eugene’s Citizen Advisory Network; United for Immigrant Justice in Lane County; and Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission. I am serving my second term as the President of SEIU 503 Local 085, representing nearly 1800 classified employees of the University of Oregon.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
My primary concerns are for working families and advocating for affordability. My goal as a Councilor will be to support Eugene in becoming a more attractive place to start or continue a small business. Our city is known for its unique culture, commitment to sustainability, and high quality of life. Our city’s appealing assets far outweigh its problems. More people want to move to Eugene than are currently able to due to affordability issues. Our housing supply is constrained which makes it hard to find and to afford. Local businesses suffer because our citizens do not have as much expendable income after paying for housing and transportation costs. These are big issues but I’m ready to lead.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
Our city is becoming unaffordable for working families. I will make sure our public dollars are being reinvested locally and will continue to advocate for increasing housing options while safeguarding neighborhood character and the things we love about our community. We must meet our climate goals. There are so many accessible technologies to help us move to energy efficiency and sustainability. This transition is no longer an option, it’s a necessity.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
As someone who grew up in Eugene, I know how important our social services are to the quality-of-life of ourselves and our neighbors. I will always prioritize the people who live, work, and create in our community over out-of-state tax giveaways to big corporations or equity firms.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: electjennifersmith.org
Ward 4
The Chamber did not issue an endorsement in this race.
| Candidate | Econ Dev | Public Safety | Reg & Biz | Fiscal | Governance | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Yeh | 7.2 | 6.8 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 7.6 | 7.0 | |
| Tom Stedman | 7.5 | 6.6 | 5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 |
About the Candidate
I currently work for Community Supported Shelters as their Development Manager, previous to that I worked at the Lane County History Museum for approximately 10 years. I volunteered with my neighborhood association when I moved to Eugene serving on the board and as vice chair and then chair before joining city council.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
There is not one particular issue that motivates me to serve on city council. I find that everything we work on is interesting and important in its own way, and often issues are interconnected. I do find the topics involving affordable housing, active & public transportation, climate resilience, equity and police policy particularly interesting. I am running for re-election because I believe the experience and relationships I have built in my past terms will be valuable as we head into the next four years with challenges and uncertainty and because this community is important to me. Locally, we have the opportunity to collaborate and make progress even through difficult times. I want to be able to support our community while doing that and be a clear and consistent voice for the values we articulate in our strategic plan.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
Answering this from a long-term perspective the top issues that city government should focus on is housing affordability and creating a plan to address our budget challenges. For housing affordability we need to continue to find ways to support housing development with the funds we have available, but also look for new ways our zoning codes and policy can support this as well. For our budget challenges, it is important that the city has a clear plan for making financial decisions so the community can have confidence in what we are doing with their tax dollars and understand what city services are available.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
We have set ourselves up well in recent months with a lot of good information from our TAG about the budget and economic development. Heading into our budget cycle I want to find ways to reach out to diverse groups of people to better understand how cuts to services would affect them, and how different services are interconnected both with each other and with services provided outside of the city.
I don’t like the term “core services” because it is interpreted differently by too many people. We need to look across our city at what service losses would have the least impact on community members, not only by number of people impacted, but the level of impact. For example, closing daycare services might not affect that many families, but for those families it is a devastating impact.
I don’t think we should be afraid to invest in areas that need investment during this process that will address critical needs even if that means cutting elsewhere. When budgets are tight, where you spend is very important.
Lastly, I’m not in favor of dipping into reserves at this point. I believe that would be an unwise long-term strategy. Those funds may be crucial later on for unexpected financial shortages.
I don’t like the term “core services” because it is interpreted differently by too many people. We need to look across our city at what service losses would have the least impact on community members, not only by number of people impacted, but the level of impact. For example, closing daycare services might not affect that many families, but for those families it is a devastating impact.
I don’t think we should be afraid to invest in areas that need investment during this process that will address critical needs even if that means cutting elsewhere. When budgets are tight, where you spend is very important.
Lastly, I’m not in favor of dipping into reserves at this point. I believe that would be an unwise long-term strategy. Those funds may be crucial later on for unexpected financial shortages.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: electjenniferyeh.com
About the Candidate
I was born and raised, US Army 9th Inf Div, bgo E-5. Eugene resident since 1978. Weyco Paper as Production Worker and Labor Representative. Left Before Sale off, returned to DOD-USACE Maintenance Worker and Painter. Retired in 2018. Also worked as a Medic on CAHOOTS for 6.5+ years in the late 90’s to mid 2000s.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
Initial intent was to get experience, name exposure, facial recognition. Started campaigning for signatures, cold calling everyone, now walking list. I started realizing there are a lot of upset, angry residents out here. I made commitments to some folks to not run, having regrets now. I still have no plans to spend any money on this election, I plan to win or at least make a good run.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
The budget, attracting & keeping business here, housing affordability, CAHOOTS, city imaging.
Budget:
• Purchasing — Try to push fleet purchases back, big ticket purchases, reevaluate purchasing procedures, reevaluate, restructure org charts.
Attracting & Keeping Business: Building permitting is hindering growth/expansion and viability.
CAHOOTS: I have been hearing that there will not be a medic component in the future too many times it has been.
Budget:
• Purchasing — Try to push fleet purchases back, big ticket purchases, reevaluate purchasing procedures, reevaluate, restructure org charts.
Attracting & Keeping Business: Building permitting is hindering growth/expansion and viability.
CAHOOTS: I have been hearing that there will not be a medic component in the future too many times it has been.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
I wouldn’t go charging into it without a large knife or axe. Talk to the folks doing the work for us, senior staff, supervisors should allow open access to city employees to chat, gather information, survey and explore areas that could be temporarily idled. Any departments in the future that submit ballot measure/bonds should be instructed to be only asking for operating funds, no expansion in services. Continue to possibly consolidate operations, no more renting space, consider selling off some city holdings. Continue on with a hiring freeze.
No campaign website provided.
Ward 5
| Candidate | Econ Dev | Public Safety | Reg & Biz | Fiscal | Governance | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Clark | 10 | 9.5 | 10 | 9.25 | 10 | 9.75 | ✓ ENDORSED |
| Jasmine Hatmaker | 5.5 | 6 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 6.75 | 5.7 | |
| Athena Aguiar Did not participate in interview | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | N/A |
About the Candidate
Mike Clark is a Mortgage Loan Specialist for Directors Mortgage of Oregon and is in his 20th year of service on the Eugene City Council. Mike moved to Eugene in 1983 to attend the University of Oregon and has a BS degree in Political Science. After U of O, Mike worked locally in Media and owned his own advertising and public relations agency for about 25 years. While a local business owner, Mike raised 2 kids who are now grown. Through the years, Mike has also served on a number of local non-profit agency boards and donated time to several local service organizations.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
There are several reasons I am running for a seat on the council. There is work I have begun over the last couple years that I would like to complete, I would like to be a source of institutional memory with an incoming brand new city manager, and there are a couple critical issues that must be addressed well by the council and I believe my years of service can be of significant help.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
The top 2 issues are really 3 issues when you break them down into detail. But first and foremost, we must do a better job to assist with and support robust economic development. We must increase our new housing stock (which can play a part in economic development). And we must manage and complete the re-organization work of our public safety system.
We must have a more rapidly growing local economy if we hope to increase affordability for Eugene families and to grow a healthier tax base that can afford the city services that so many folks count on. New housing construction is a critical part of a growing local economy. The state has already mandated that we must see at least 1,600 new housing units a year constructed for the next 20 years. We as a city have been seeing far fewer than this for far too many years now. It is a trend we must reverse.
We have grown some parts of our public safety system in the last few years, but we have a ways to go. We need to make a good decision on the future of the public safety payroll tax. But importantly, we need to complete the work of the fire administration and governance reorganization that we have been working on for so long.
We must have a more rapidly growing local economy if we hope to increase affordability for Eugene families and to grow a healthier tax base that can afford the city services that so many folks count on. New housing construction is a critical part of a growing local economy. The state has already mandated that we must see at least 1,600 new housing units a year constructed for the next 20 years. We as a city have been seeing far fewer than this for far too many years now. It is a trend we must reverse.
We have grown some parts of our public safety system in the last few years, but we have a ways to go. We need to make a good decision on the future of the public safety payroll tax. But importantly, we need to complete the work of the fire administration and governance reorganization that we have been working on for so long.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
We simply must grow the pie larger. The only effective way to have a healthy economic future in our community and to afford the city services the community wants is to grow our tax base by growing and expanding our local economy. There is no sustainable way to address our structural budget deficit without a robust local economy where all can afford a better quality of life. The TAC report is a fantastic tool and a good start. The folks who dedicated so much time and effort should be thanked and the council should consider their work a guide to the long-term fiscal decisions we make this year.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: ElectMikeClark.com
About the Candidate
Jasmine was born in Eugene but spent the majority of her childhood living in Guam before returning to Oregon in the sixth grade. She attended middle schools across Lane County, including Cal Young MS, and graduated from Sheldon High School. She later attended the University of Oregon, studying political science and international studies. She was a member of the Black Student Union and served as an event coordinator for Black Women of Achievement. Community building has always been central to her life. From organizing events in college to now creating spaces that bring people together whenever she can, Jasmine believes that it’s important to give everyone the opportunity to connect with others.
As an adult, Jasmine lived in Hawaii, Southern California, Southern Florida, and Arizona. Experiencing diverse, vibrant, and thriving communities across the country has influenced her vision for how Eugene can be even better.
Jasmine’s focus on housing and economic stability is based on lived experience, emphasizing the value of strong community support. Professionally, she has worked in caregiving, hospitality, real estate, mortgage lending, and event coordination. She is a small business owner. She also returned to Eugene to help her mother keep their family’s business going during recent years of economic uncertainty. These experiences reinforced her belief in supporting local businesses and working families.
Her dedication to service is reflected in years of volunteer work with local nonprofits and service organizations like Holt International Adoption Agency, Food for Lane County, Burrito Brigade, Community Supported Shelters, NAACP, Greenhill Humane Society, and Pro Bone O. She currently serves as a board member for SquareOne Villages and Lexy’s Playground. SquareOne Villages is focused on innovative housing solutions while Lexy’s Playground is all about creating safe spaces for children where they can reach their fullest potential in a supportive environment.
On City Council, Jasmine will prioritize housing affordability, economic development that improves quality of life, and secure community services that guarantee safety, stability, and inclusion. She believes collaboration is essential to achieving meaningful progress and that everyone, especially those who often feel unheard, deserves a seat at the table. Jasmine leads with honesty, listens to understand not respond, and is committed to helping build a supportive and resilient Eugene for all.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
I am running for Eugene City Council because I believe this city is strongest when everyone can afford to live here and feel supported in their community. I was born in Eugene and love this city. I want to be a part of making Eugene reach its full potential. Eugene should be a thriving community for everyone.
Housing stability is my top priority. There are too many people in Eugene that are one unexpected expense away from crisis, and too many working families cannot find homes they can reasonably afford. My lived experience, professional background in the housing industry, and years of community service have shown me how there is a direct link between housing, public safety, economic vitality, and overall quality of life. When people have stable housing, they are more likely to succeed at work, in school, and in their neighborhoods. I am running to help make sure Eugene is a city where opportunity is accessible and everyone can thrive.
Housing stability is my top priority. There are too many people in Eugene that are one unexpected expense away from crisis, and too many working families cannot find homes they can reasonably afford. My lived experience, professional background in the housing industry, and years of community service have shown me how there is a direct link between housing, public safety, economic vitality, and overall quality of life. When people have stable housing, they are more likely to succeed at work, in school, and in their neighborhoods. I am running to help make sure Eugene is a city where opportunity is accessible and everyone can thrive.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
The top two issues facing Eugene are housing affordability and economic stability. We need to expand housing supply across all income levels, which includes affordable, middle-income, and workforce housing. We need more streamlined permitting, smart growth, and incentives for diverse housing types. We also need to preserve existing affordable units and strengthen partnerships with nonprofit housing providers.
Second, we need to support economic stability. That means backing local businesses, investing in workforce development, and making sure that city policies encourage entrepreneurship while protecting working families. A healthy local economy helps residents afford housing, strengthens our tax base, and funds essential city services.
Second, we need to support economic stability. That means backing local businesses, investing in workforce development, and making sure that city policies encourage entrepreneurship while protecting working families. A healthy local economy helps residents afford housing, strengthens our tax base, and funds essential city services.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
As a Council member, I would approach budget challenges with transparency, discipline, and fairness. We need to protect core services, like public safety, infrastructure, housing support, and community health. We must continue to carefully review spending for efficiency and transparency. The budgets should not hurt the working families in our community.
We need to explore creative revenue strategies, including strategic economic development, public-private partnerships, grant funding, and strategic fee structures that reflect growth. Strategic and long-term planning are essential. I support multi-year forecasting, data-driven decision-making, and clear performance metrics to confirm that taxpayer dollars are delivering measurable results. Responsible budgeting is about prioritizing community well-being today while safeguarding Eugene’s financial stability for the future.
We need to explore creative revenue strategies, including strategic economic development, public-private partnerships, grant funding, and strategic fee structures that reflect growth. Strategic and long-term planning are essential. I support multi-year forecasting, data-driven decision-making, and clear performance metrics to confirm that taxpayer dollars are delivering measurable results. Responsible budgeting is about prioritizing community well-being today while safeguarding Eugene’s financial stability for the future.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: jasminehatmaker.com
About the Candidate
Athena has worked most recently doing fundraising for environmental advocacy groups and prior to that worked doing invasive species removal work. She is currently on the Eugene Library Advisory Board and Eugene Library, Cultural, and Recreational Services Working Group.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
I felt like I was not well represented by my current counselor, as I just don’t share his conservative values. I wanted to better represent my Ward and focus on some of the most pressing issues currently facing Eugene such as: its housing crises, deteriorating sanctuary laws, and public safety concerns. I also want to make sure that our libraries and public services don’t face the cuts that have been discussed in the past.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
One that everyone can acknowledge is housing affordability. We need to work to both make more housing, and especially affordable housing. I also think safety is front of mind, both including the need for more crisis-care services like a CAHOOT replacement as well as the fear people are experiencing with ICE intruding into our communities.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
I would work to see what we can do to be creative about income, such as exploring options like the fire fee that have been discussed in the past to fill budget shortfalls. We also need to make sure that we are allocating our money in ways that prioritize services that impact people’s daily lives.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: Athena4Eugene.com
Ward 6
| Candidate | Econ Dev | Public Safety | Reg & Biz | Fiscal | Governance | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Evans | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9.5 | 9.3 | ✓ ENDORSED |
| Tai Pruce-Zimmerman | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 5.6 | 6.8 | 6.3 |
About the Candidate
Greg Evans was appointed to the vacant City of Eugene Ward 6 Council Seat (Bethel area) in Northwest Eugene on January 9, 2013 by a 7-0 vote of the Council. Greg was elected to complete the unexpired term for Ward 6 in May 2013 and was subsequently elected to a full four-year term on the council and was re-elected to a third term in November 2022 and served as Council President. He is a 25-year resident and homeowner in the ward. Greg’s city council committee assignments include the Budget Committee, Human Services Commission and Lane Transit District’s Strategic Planning Committee.
Greg recently completed a term as the National League of Cities (NLC) Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Services (TIS) Committee in 2017 having served as Vice-Chair of the TIS Committee in 2016. Greg also served on the NLC’s Universities and Colleges Communities (UCC) Committee from 2013–2017. In 2019, Greg became the first African American President of the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) in its 94-year history. Greg founded LOC’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative which has led to the establishment of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, the People of Color Caucus, and the Women’s Caucus.
Greg retired in 2023 as Associate Vice-President for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at Lane Community College in Eugene. Greg’s career as an educator includes a 28-year career as an administrator, classroom instructor, program coordinator, lecturer, workshop facilitator and consultant. Greg is the founder and program director of the award-winning Rites of Passage Summer Academies for underrepresented and underserved students at LCC. In addition to his professional portfolio, Greg has been active in the areas of civil/human rights and transportation policy.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
I want to continue my work as a councilor to address the chronic pressing issues of economic development, improving and stabilizing police and fire services, transportation safety, and infrastructure investments. Bethel has unique challenges that I understand and see first-hand and have been fighting to address for years. I will continue to be a strong voice who recognizes that we don’t always share the opinions of South Eugene and I will continue to fight for Bethel and bring attention to the needs of the hard-working people living in an area of our community that is often forgotten.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
Eugene desperately needs an Economic Development strategy, focused on growing jobs and supporting employers and businesses. Removing barriers and promoting policies that signal to businesses that they are welcome in Eugene.
Public Safety, not just downtown but in all areas of Eugene, and the resources to ensure a system that protects Eugene’s citizens continues to deteriorate and without intentional action, this only gets worse.
Public Safety, not just downtown but in all areas of Eugene, and the resources to ensure a system that protects Eugene’s citizens continues to deteriorate and without intentional action, this only gets worse.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
I have advanced the need to have collaboration with all sectors of our community including our business sector to prioritize the needs of the community. Eugene will likely face continued pressures on its budget, as costs continue to outpace revenue. I believe focusing on growing our economy and prioritizing the budget towards basic essential services, paired with investments that support growth, is the only way to turn our budget crisis around.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: gregforbethel.com
About the Candidate
My professional background is in accounting, but I currently have the fortune to be a stay-at-home dad (with a minor side-gig as a chess statistician). I also volunteer extensively in a variety of areas. Last June I completed seven years of service on the city Budget Committee (four years as Chair). I have also co-chaired my neighborhood association (the Active Bethel Community) since I led its reactivation effort in 2018. I’m currently on multiple nonprofit boards and committees, as board Treasurer at WellMama (a perinatal mental health organization), a board member at the Jewish Federation of Lane County, and a member of the Square One Villages Finance Committee. I’ve also served on numerous Bethel School District committees through the years, from Budget to Long Range Planning, and more.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
I’m running because I see a long list of very challenging decisions in the city’s near future, and I believe I am best suited to doing that work. I don’t have one unique driving issue that motivates me above all else. What I have is a commitment to addressing every issue thoughtfully. One of my major strengths is synthesizing lots of different data and opinions, and finding common ground, finding best practices, finding the best option. I don’t believe this is work that can be done in a silo, or a bubble of like-minded voices. I believe in collaboration and hearing from as much of the community as possible.
As Chair of the Budget Committee I opened every meeting with a call to consider who wasn’t in the room. What voices were missing, and why. As a Councilor, I will always seek out those voices. I believe deeply in this community and I have always committed myself to being present in service. I’m running as a natural extension of that commitment.
As Chair of the Budget Committee I opened every meeting with a call to consider who wasn’t in the room. What voices were missing, and why. As a Councilor, I will always seek out those voices. I believe deeply in this community and I have always committed myself to being present in service. I’m running as a natural extension of that commitment.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
The number one issue is housing and homelessness, which are of course inextricably linked. Housing supply has been outpaced by population growth for decades. The city doesn’t directly build housing, but does set policies that make it easier or harder for developers to do so. And we must use every tool available to us to make it easier. In the long run, if we can’t build more housing, we’ll never manage to right the ship.
That said, we also have to recognize that new construction is fundamentally expensive and that it will never be affordable without subsidies or incentives. While in the long run we need housing, in the short run enough of that housing must be affordable – truly affordable – to those who need it. The best proactive step we can take to address homelessness is preventing people from becoming homeless in the first place. So addressing this requires a multifaceted approach, and it can’t be done without some investment. Which means…
That said, we also have to recognize that new construction is fundamentally expensive and that it will never be affordable without subsidies or incentives. While in the long run we need housing, in the short run enough of that housing must be affordable – truly affordable – to those who need it. The best proactive step we can take to address homelessness is preventing people from becoming homeless in the first place. So addressing this requires a multifaceted approach, and it can’t be done without some investment. Which means…
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
… the other top issue the city faces today is a structural budget deficit that leaves us facing cuts year after year after year. A true solution would happen at the state level, not the city level, with reform to measures 5 & 50, and certainly I’ll use my role on Council to advocate for that however I can. But in the meantime we need a more thoughtful approach to our budget challenges than just cutting a little deeper in almost every budget cycle, while sporadically adding new revenue sources that increase community burden but only partially backfill our deficits. Otherwise known as the strategy we’ve employed for decades.
We need an actual strategy. An economic development plan that will grow the tax base, clear priorities on our desired service levels, and shared understanding of what scenarios will or won’t justify a search for new revenue options. None of this can be decided unilaterally. It takes a thorough community conversation to reach consensus. As a Councilor I won’t dictate to the community what our priorities must be; I will hold space for the conversation. I will do the work.
We need an actual strategy. An economic development plan that will grow the tax base, clear priorities on our desired service levels, and shared understanding of what scenarios will or won’t justify a search for new revenue options. None of this can be decided unilaterally. It takes a thorough community conversation to reach consensus. As a Councilor I won’t dictate to the community what our priorities must be; I will hold space for the conversation. I will do the work.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: togetherwithtai.com
Leadership for 380,000 Residents
Lane County Board of Commissioners
The Lane County Board of Commissioners oversees services, policies, and budgets for more than 380,000 residents. Commissioners make decisions on public safety funding, land use, infrastructure investment, and intergovernmental coordination that shape the regional business environment. Their choices on housing policy, development regulations, and revenue strategy directly impact local employers.
How We Scored County Commissioner Candidates
The Candidate Review Committee developed a scoring rubric tailored to the responsibilities of each elected office, grounded in the priorities identified in the Chamber’s latest member survey. Panelists scored candidates 1–10 in each category; scores shown are aggregate averages. Endorsement threshold: overall score of 9 or higher with unanimous committee recommendation.
Scoring Categories — County Commissioner
- Economic Development — Understanding of the County Commission’s role in attracting new businesses and growing and retaining existing ones
- Public Safety — Vision for the Board’s role in addressing public safety concerns and specific ideas to improve community safety
- Regulatory & Business Climate — Approach to incentivizing economic development, removing regulatory barriers, and working with the local business community
- Fiscal Responsibility — Framework for evaluating county needs and priorities during budget shortfalls and policies to guide the budgeting process
- Governance & Decision-Making — Approach to reconciling the gap between vocal-minority influence and broader public opinion in policy decisions
We also asked every candidate to complete a short, written questionnaire — their responses can be found in each candidate’s profile below.
9.0
District 1
Ryan Ceniga
10
District 2
Sean VanGordon
District 1 — West Lane
| Candidate | Econ Dev | Public Safety | Reg & Biz | Fiscal | Governance | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Ceniga | 8.4 | 9.6 | 9.2 | 8.8 | 9.2 | 9.0 | ✓ ENDORSED |
| Thomas Hiura | 4.5 | 4 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 5 | 4.7 |
About the Candidate
Ryan Ceniga is a lifelong resident of Lane County and a current Lane County Commissioner representing West Lane County, including communities like Junction City, Veneta, and Florence. Raised in Junction City from a young age, Ceniga comes from a family deeply rooted in public service, where giving back to the community was a shared value passed down through generations. A self-described “homegrown, blue-collar dad,” Ceniga has spent most of his career working with his hands across a range of industries, including farming, construction, diesel mechanics, and utility infrastructure. His professional path includes work with the City of Junction City and the Eugene Water & Electric Board, where he has managed complex public works and infrastructure projects while serving the needs of local residents. Ceniga and his wife, Brandi, have been married for over two decades and are raising their two daughters in the Junction City School District. His commitment to community is reflected in years of volunteerism, including coaching youth sports, serving on the Junction City School Board, and participating in local service organizations. As commissioner, Ceniga prioritizes public safety, fiscal responsibility, and protecting rural communities and small businesses. Known for his hands-on, approachable style, he emphasizes accessibility, problem-solving, and strong relationships to effectively serve the residents of Lane County.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
I’m running for reelection to build on the successes I have had in my first term, particularly in protecting essential services and continue my unfinished work on stabilizing the county budget while continuing to fight for the families and businesses of West Lane County.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
Public safety and affordable housing are the top two issues I see facing Lane County in the next 4 years. Both are complicated issues that will take principled and creative approaches to solve.
Public Safety — It is imperative that we solidify a steady and fully funded budget to ensure sheriff patrols remain at needed levels to keep our communities safe.
Affordable Housing — To solve the affordable housing crises in Lane County we must continue to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers while working towards a more friendly and efficient permitting process to allow the housing inventory increases needed to ease the out-of-control increases in housing costs in Lane County.
Public Safety — It is imperative that we solidify a steady and fully funded budget to ensure sheriff patrols remain at needed levels to keep our communities safe.
Affordable Housing — To solve the affordable housing crises in Lane County we must continue to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers while working towards a more friendly and efficient permitting process to allow the housing inventory increases needed to ease the out-of-control increases in housing costs in Lane County.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
As your West Lane County Commissioner, I believe that the best way to address budgetary issues is to continue to look at maximizing programs that are not fully utilized and prioritize core government programs and public safety.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: ryanceniga.com
About the Candidate
Thomas Hiura was raised in and lives in unincorporated Santa Clara/River Road with the love of his life, Hailey (a music teacher/business owner) and their adorable pitbull, Bella. Their families are builders, teachers, entrepreneurs & restaurant workers. His dad Billy was a UO graduate from Hood River who owned Blue Moon Music (a River Road guitar shop), and his mom Kazumi has dedicated her life to local Japanese restaurants. Her work (managing the floor and hiring workers) has been why Sushi PURE is so successful, like Sakura Japanese Restaurant on 13th was, before she changed gears to help start Sushi PURE. Thomas was born in Hamamatsu, Japan 32 years ago, and his family moved to River Road when he was two years old.
Thomas was your 2011 Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce Future First Citizen, as a North Eugene High School senior & ASB President. He has a B.A. in American Studies from Carleton College in snowy & rural Northfield, Minnesota. Through Lane ESD (to which he was elected with 79.3% of the votes), he visits and supports rural school districts with administrative, technological & special needs support. Since 2012, Thomas has owned a small multimedia production business where he has kept many audio/video/photo clients satisfied. He also works as a part-time trivia host at Starlight Lounge (authoring his own questions), and front-of-house service & prep cooking at Toshi’s Ramen.
Investing in local businesses is real for Thomas. Even as a working-class person, he invested in the expansion of Metro Cinemas in Downtown Eugene, in 2019. You can see there that he sponsored Auditorium Six and named it “NEHS 2012 Auditorium,” in honor of the no-longer-existing 600-seat facility where he got his start doing A/V work.
Along with thousands and thousands of hours in the local hospitality and service industries, he has invested nearly as many in volunteer efforts. He served 3 years on the City Club of Eugene Board of Directors, and in March 2026 he left his year of the Presidency three months early in order to file for Lane County Commissioner. He had to make sure we had a strong succession plan (we do), before he could act in the capacity of a county candidate. Thomas is now eager to talk to all the voters of West Lane, ensuring that there are two public servants on the ballot, not just an unopposed race. He had hoped someone else would file, and when it was clear they would not, he stepped up. More conversation and meaningful dialogue tends to be better for all involved, as iron sharpens iron.
Thomas has also served as Vice Chair of the City of Eugene Human Rights Commission (working alongside Eugene Police on hate and bias crime accountability), Vice Chair & Governance Chair of the WOW Hall/Community Center for the Performing Arts, and Vice Chair of Democratic Party of Oregon’s Stonewall Caucus. He rigorously and enthusiastically works well in a board capacity, and doesn’t need to be the central star of any show to be committed to the goal. He will listen to the whole district, look people in the eye and work alongside them, even during areas of disagreement. Thomas is open to any and all questions, and ready to be of service.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
The central focus of my campaign is Accountability, Transparency, and that the County Board should serve ALL of West Lane, so that no communities are left out.
The key action I will take as Commissioner, is to improve services to the coastal region. My #1 proposal is that Lane County should finally have a robust office in our coastal communities. This will improve widespread access to things we all want in Lane County: Housing we can afford (and the means to build it), Public Safety (with improved response times and capacity), Healthcare (physical, mental, eldercare, reproductive & maternity care, dental), Climate resilience and preparedness against disasters, and so much more. That way, more of our beloved neighbors can afford to live, thrive and invest in West Lane, instead of having to go elsewhere.
I strongly believe the business community in Lane County will be one of many sectors who are buoyed by this rising tide. One thing I heard from you is that Commissioners have a duty to fairness for all involved, when policy disagreements play out. I believe that Commissioner Ceniga and I both make an effort in this regard, and that my record of service indicates great potential to unite this district and the board. I truly love and am optimistic about Lane County, because despite our many resources, the people here are our greatest treasure.
The key action I will take as Commissioner, is to improve services to the coastal region. My #1 proposal is that Lane County should finally have a robust office in our coastal communities. This will improve widespread access to things we all want in Lane County: Housing we can afford (and the means to build it), Public Safety (with improved response times and capacity), Healthcare (physical, mental, eldercare, reproductive & maternity care, dental), Climate resilience and preparedness against disasters, and so much more. That way, more of our beloved neighbors can afford to live, thrive and invest in West Lane, instead of having to go elsewhere.
I strongly believe the business community in Lane County will be one of many sectors who are buoyed by this rising tide. One thing I heard from you is that Commissioners have a duty to fairness for all involved, when policy disagreements play out. I believe that Commissioner Ceniga and I both make an effort in this regard, and that my record of service indicates great potential to unite this district and the board. I truly love and am optimistic about Lane County, because despite our many resources, the people here are our greatest treasure.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
Great question. Impossible to winnow down to two, but prioritization and honest answers to questions are part of leadership:
1. We have to restore trust, for all stakeholders involved. It will not serve us to be in anything resembling a cold war between Commissioners, the County Administrator, workers who make the place run, and the whole diverse swath of residents who depend on Lane County to have its stuff together. Elections allow the potential for accountability (only when contested), and that should be applied to all Commissioners; I’m not even singling anyone out here. A good team has well-enforced rules that allow everyone fairness. I’m against partisan rancor. I’m for good conversations.
2. I’m tempted to bring up county waste management, but in this moment I will choose the threat of World War III: how resources and supply chains will affect Lane County, the mental health toll on our already over-stressed Lane County systems, what kinds of unaccountable crimes (against children, for example) it distracts from, the role that AI & data centers will play, the human rights implications, and how crises lead to a transfer of wealth away from small localized businesses. I’m pro-soldier by being anti-war, and I would be happy to talk about how Lane County businesses of all sizes are endangered by unnecessary aggression.
Commissioners can walk and chew gum at the same time: We can dedicate our full-time salaried jobs on the full range of Lane County-specific needs, AND still speak out against the way our tax dollars are being wasted at the federal level. You can’t talk money without discussing the cost of war.
1. We have to restore trust, for all stakeholders involved. It will not serve us to be in anything resembling a cold war between Commissioners, the County Administrator, workers who make the place run, and the whole diverse swath of residents who depend on Lane County to have its stuff together. Elections allow the potential for accountability (only when contested), and that should be applied to all Commissioners; I’m not even singling anyone out here. A good team has well-enforced rules that allow everyone fairness. I’m against partisan rancor. I’m for good conversations.
2. I’m tempted to bring up county waste management, but in this moment I will choose the threat of World War III: how resources and supply chains will affect Lane County, the mental health toll on our already over-stressed Lane County systems, what kinds of unaccountable crimes (against children, for example) it distracts from, the role that AI & data centers will play, the human rights implications, and how crises lead to a transfer of wealth away from small localized businesses. I’m pro-soldier by being anti-war, and I would be happy to talk about how Lane County businesses of all sizes are endangered by unnecessary aggression.
Commissioners can walk and chew gum at the same time: We can dedicate our full-time salaried jobs on the full range of Lane County-specific needs, AND still speak out against the way our tax dollars are being wasted at the federal level. You can’t talk money without discussing the cost of war.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
Budgetary discernment and fiscal management are essential cornerstones of any functioning organization — I have been fortunate to participate in and co-lead many successful organizations in Lane County.
I will be clear-eyed about the hole that the county has found itself in. I know there will be pains, and I wouldn’t have left the City Club role I worked hard to honorably serve in, if I didn’t feel ready to receive some heat. People are upset about the shortfall that Lane County (and concurrently other local governments) finds itself in, and they are unsure of what’s to come from federal and state funding streams.
One thing I can tell you, as a working-class taxpayer, is that certainty and steadiness in an annual budget are a key antidote to chaos. Hacking-and-slashing programs without deep knowledge of how they might be saving us money is something I worry about. Leading through a budget crisis requires transparency, fair-mindedness, long thankless hours of investigation, and ultimately, optimism. People who have worked with me know that I strive to provide these qualities.
I will be clear-eyed about the hole that the county has found itself in. I know there will be pains, and I wouldn’t have left the City Club role I worked hard to honorably serve in, if I didn’t feel ready to receive some heat. People are upset about the shortfall that Lane County (and concurrently other local governments) finds itself in, and they are unsure of what’s to come from federal and state funding streams.
One thing I can tell you, as a working-class taxpayer, is that certainty and steadiness in an annual budget are a key antidote to chaos. Hacking-and-slashing programs without deep knowledge of how they might be saving us money is something I worry about. Leading through a budget crisis requires transparency, fair-mindedness, long thankless hours of investigation, and ultimately, optimism. People who have worked with me know that I strive to provide these qualities.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: ThomasForWestLane.com
District 2 — Springfield
| Candidate | Econ Dev | Public Safety | Reg & Biz | Fiscal | Governance | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean VanGordon | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | ✓ ENDORSED |
| David Loveall | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8.8 | |
| William Monsoor Did not participate in interview | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | N/A |
About the Candidate
Sean VanGordon leads with the clear purpose of putting people first. As Mayor of Springfield, he has focused on the simple idea that the government should make life easier for the families who live and work here. For the people he serves, that has meant more places to work, more places to gather, and a local government that shows up and gets things done.
Since Sean joined the City Council, downtown has come alive again. New storefronts, new restaurants, and local shops are driving a stronger Springfield economy. Under his term as mayor, Springfield has created more than 1,000 new jobs, and commercial occupancy in the Gateway District has risen 15 percent. Sean has helped drive major manufacturing and industrial expansions ensuring Springfield remains a place where people can build a career, not just work a job.
Sean has spent over two decades as an industrial engineer and financial planning leader in healthcare, logistics, and global operations. He led teams, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, streamlined complex systems, and helped organizations deliver better outcomes for vulnerable populations. He knows how to bridge business and policy, and he brings that same precision and steadiness to public service.
Sean brings the same problem-solving mindset to Springfield’s biggest challenges. He expanded affordable housing options by cutting red tape and partnering with builders, helping speed up the process so homes get built faster and families can find a place they can afford. He secured critical infrastructure wins, including the Street Bond and the inclusion of 42nd Street in the State Transportation Bill, improving safety, reducing congestion, and making daily life smoother for commuters, parents, and small business owners. He also expanded library access so families outside city limits can borrow books, use computers, and access programs without cost barriers.
Sean has called Lane County home since 2001, when he moved to attend the University of Oregon. He earned a master’s degree in economics and a bachelor’s in political science, and in 2007, he and his wife Elaine bought their first home in Springfield. Today, they’re raising twin daughters, Katie and Livy, along with their dog Marcus, while cheering on the Ducks and frequenting their favorite local restaurants.
Sean believes in Lane County. He wants a community where families can build their life and their businesses can grow. The leadership and collaboration that strengthens Springfield is the leadership that Sean is committed to bringing to Lane County.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
I’m running because Lane County works best when leadership works together. The trust and teamwork among the Board of Commissioners needs rebuilding. When elected officials work as a team, it earns the confidence of the public and delivers results that matter. If we don’t change something, what will be different four years from now?
As mayor, I’ve seen what it takes to bring boards and councils that are divided together. It’s things like making sure all voices in the community are heard, ensuring all elected officials have the same information, and understanding the appropriate way to interact with staff.
While Lane County faces real challenges, I’m optimistic about what comes next. We should be a county where the government is a reliable partner to businesses, families, and communities, focused on disciplined execution, clear priorities, and real results. This campaign isn’t about one issue; it’s about restoring trust, strengthening teamwork, and ensuring county government functions the way it’s supposed to: steady, solutions-oriented, and grounded in service.
When leadership works together, opportunity follows and that’s the future I’m running toward.
As mayor, I’ve seen what it takes to bring boards and councils that are divided together. It’s things like making sure all voices in the community are heard, ensuring all elected officials have the same information, and understanding the appropriate way to interact with staff.
While Lane County faces real challenges, I’m optimistic about what comes next. We should be a county where the government is a reliable partner to businesses, families, and communities, focused on disciplined execution, clear priorities, and real results. This campaign isn’t about one issue; it’s about restoring trust, strengthening teamwork, and ensuring county government functions the way it’s supposed to: steady, solutions-oriented, and grounded in service.
When leadership works together, opportunity follows and that’s the future I’m running toward.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
Economic Growth
Growth does not solve every problem, but it does make solving every problem easier. By attracting new investment and creating careers where incomes can grow, we strengthen the foundation for affordability, safety, and community well-being. As commissioner, I would:
• Relocate the Glenwood Transfer Site to unlock growth potential.
• Ensure Lane County is active in the South Willamette Innovation Corridor.
• Advocate for a state R&D tax credit to spur innovation.
• Review land division policies to keep Lane County competitive.
• Expand partnerships so the county is a stronger ally in development.
Team Lane County
Lane County’s challenges cannot be solved in isolation. Just as Team Springfield has shown the power of collaboration, Lane County needs that same spirit. As commissioner, I would:
• Build coalitions across business, labor, and community.
• Coordinate with jurisdictions to align asks and avoid duplication.
• Commit to transparency so residents know how and why decisions are made.
• Pressure-test policies for fiscal discipline and public trust.
• Foster unity so challenges no single jurisdiction can solve are tackled together.
Economic growth and Team Lane County are essential, but so are tackling homelessness, addiction, mental health, housing, and safety. With discipline and collaboration, we can move beyond crisis and build a community of opportunity.
Growth does not solve every problem, but it does make solving every problem easier. By attracting new investment and creating careers where incomes can grow, we strengthen the foundation for affordability, safety, and community well-being. As commissioner, I would:
• Relocate the Glenwood Transfer Site to unlock growth potential.
• Ensure Lane County is active in the South Willamette Innovation Corridor.
• Advocate for a state R&D tax credit to spur innovation.
• Review land division policies to keep Lane County competitive.
• Expand partnerships so the county is a stronger ally in development.
Team Lane County
Lane County’s challenges cannot be solved in isolation. Just as Team Springfield has shown the power of collaboration, Lane County needs that same spirit. As commissioner, I would:
• Build coalitions across business, labor, and community.
• Coordinate with jurisdictions to align asks and avoid duplication.
• Commit to transparency so residents know how and why decisions are made.
• Pressure-test policies for fiscal discipline and public trust.
• Foster unity so challenges no single jurisdiction can solve are tackled together.
Economic growth and Team Lane County are essential, but so are tackling homelessness, addiction, mental health, housing, and safety. With discipline and collaboration, we can move beyond crisis and build a community of opportunity.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
The budget is one of the primary reasons I am running. Long-term fiscal stability is the key to Lane County’s future, and we cannot achieve it with short-term fixes. The current shortfall is the result of more than 40 years of public policy decisions and it will take significant focus to correct.
My approach begins with planning. I would ask the County to regularly publish a five-year financial forecast, with commentary and multiple scenarios, so the public can clearly see the challenges and choices ahead. Second, I would follow a proven process like Springfield Fiscal Stability to bring together community members to make recommendations on revenue, cuts, legislative changes, and economic development opportunities. The law enforcement taskforce has already done part of this work, and we should build on it. Third, those recommendations must be adopted into a long-term financial strategy, not left on the shelf. Finally, with competing needs across the county, coordination with other jurisdictions is essential.
Economic growth and legislative changes around rural lands are critical to restoring stability. If we are disciplined, transparent, and inclusive, Lane County can move from managing shortfalls to building a sustainable future.
My approach begins with planning. I would ask the County to regularly publish a five-year financial forecast, with commentary and multiple scenarios, so the public can clearly see the challenges and choices ahead. Second, I would follow a proven process like Springfield Fiscal Stability to bring together community members to make recommendations on revenue, cuts, legislative changes, and economic development opportunities. The law enforcement taskforce has already done part of this work, and we should build on it. Third, those recommendations must be adopted into a long-term financial strategy, not left on the shelf. Finally, with competing needs across the county, coordination with other jurisdictions is essential.
Economic growth and legislative changes around rural lands are critical to restoring stability. If we are disciplined, transparent, and inclusive, Lane County can move from managing shortfalls to building a sustainable future.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: seanvangordon.com
About the Candidate
David Loveall is a Lane County Commissioner representing Springfield and a longtime community leader with deep roots in Lane County. A U.S. Navy veteran, Loveall served six years as a photographer’s mate, including work with the Blue Angels, before returning home to build a life and career with his wife, Nita. Together, they raised three children in Springfield and became actively engaged in community development.
In 2008, Loveall made a bold personal investment in downtown Springfield, using his life savings to purchase and restore the historic Washburne Building. Through his company, Masaka Properties, he has since led efforts to revitalize Main Street — renovating buildings, creating opportunities for small businesses, and adding much-needed housing. His work has helped transform downtown into a vibrant, walkable district and sparked broader economic momentum.
Loveall is known for his hands-on, partnership-driven approach, bringing people together to achieve tangible results. As a commissioner, he has focused on public safety, economic development, and addressing homelessness and mental health challenges. Grounded in a belief that meaningful change requires personal investment and collaboration, Loveall continues to advocate for practical solutions that strengthen Springfield and Lane County.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
I believe the people at this season are demanding someone to be the “tip of the spear” on their behalf.
Even before I started my term, my reputation as an innovator, passionate business developer and status quo disrupter preceded me. In business, the passive and non-confrontational bowing to the “status quo” rarely succeeds. I ask the difficult and tough questions most everyone is thinking in a room, but afraid to ask. I’m a risk taker and consummate and faithful steward when it comes to my own money and especially someone else’s.
These qualities are what people demand in their elected officials. They’re demanding leaders to protect their individual interests, their human rights and rights of property and to hold the government fiscally accountable for doing what the government should only be doing. Public Safety, economic development, revenue transparency and maintaining vital infrastructure. I want to continue to bring these desires of the people I work for to the forefront of government which has lost its way of what it’s here for.
Even before I started my term, my reputation as an innovator, passionate business developer and status quo disrupter preceded me. In business, the passive and non-confrontational bowing to the “status quo” rarely succeeds. I ask the difficult and tough questions most everyone is thinking in a room, but afraid to ask. I’m a risk taker and consummate and faithful steward when it comes to my own money and especially someone else’s.
These qualities are what people demand in their elected officials. They’re demanding leaders to protect their individual interests, their human rights and rights of property and to hold the government fiscally accountable for doing what the government should only be doing. Public Safety, economic development, revenue transparency and maintaining vital infrastructure. I want to continue to bring these desires of the people I work for to the forefront of government which has lost its way of what it’s here for.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
Public safety is the top issue. Both the sheriff’s office, our District Attorney and our Parole and Probation Department are cut past the bone barely patrolling the county, hardly prosecuting crime below Measure 11 status and putting a caseload pile on our probation people that is untenable and dangerous to the community. Community safety is the top priority of our citizens who passed the most recent levy 78%. At some point, social services versus public safety are going to collide and it’s going to take a solid leader to make those hard choices.
Second is the CleanLane project. A private/public partnership contract approved by the board (3 to 2) in draft contract form. When the final contract came back major paragraphs of liability were taken out without informing the board of the changes now putting the entire 150-plus million dollar liability on the county. Multiple engineering changes, site changes, appeals to LUBA make cost continue to climb. Diminishing waste stream and revenue now has the potential to bankrupt the county. This major misappropriation of tax dollars will never show a profit, cost the county nearly 12 million a year and won’t extend the landfill life as promised.
Second is the CleanLane project. A private/public partnership contract approved by the board (3 to 2) in draft contract form. When the final contract came back major paragraphs of liability were taken out without informing the board of the changes now putting the entire 150-plus million dollar liability on the county. Multiple engineering changes, site changes, appeals to LUBA make cost continue to climb. Diminishing waste stream and revenue now has the potential to bankrupt the county. This major misappropriation of tax dollars will never show a profit, cost the county nearly 12 million a year and won’t extend the landfill life as promised.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
Our county employment numbers (2,080) are bloated by a season of expansion with borrowed federal tax dollars. We’re now in a season of contraction. Things like the homeless industrial complex which has had increasing money thrown at it thinking that was the solution, we’ve built a customer base of workers to continue a formula dictated by state/federal funding without using proven models that work. There’re departments critical to revenue generating we need to support, programs like DEI we need to cut as we have created a workplace culture that has completed their goals.
Decisions concerning the budget must also be made by citizens, we only have so much money to go around. It has to be a priority not spread like butter, too thin to do any program or service any good. Do the citizens want public safety at the top? Or are low-barrier shelters and low income housing that working people must pay half of with tax dollars? This input is what would drive the list of what we can fund, should fund, and do not fund, until we get to the end of the money, then the private sector would have to come and fill.
Decisions concerning the budget must also be made by citizens, we only have so much money to go around. It has to be a priority not spread like butter, too thin to do any program or service any good. Do the citizens want public safety at the top? Or are low-barrier shelters and low income housing that working people must pay half of with tax dollars? This input is what would drive the list of what we can fund, should fund, and do not fund, until we get to the end of the money, then the private sector would have to come and fill.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: loveallforspringfield.com
About the Candidate
My work with children and families at many school Districts in Lane County through Lane Education Service District, will be a valuable asset to the citizens of Lane County. Retired Crisis Clinician, Military Veteran// Forestry Aide (Recreation, Timber, Range, Wildland firefighter, natural resources management) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) As stewards of National Forest Lands, The Forest Service is committed to strengthening relationships with Indian Tribes that have lived in the Pacific Northwest since time immemorial. Group Worker, Community Justice and Rehabilitation Juvenile Justice Center, branch of Lane County government Department of Youth Services // Qualified Mental Health Associate, Lane County Behavioral Health// Direct Support Care: State of Oregon Department of Human Services // Civil Service Worker (supporting military personnel, to maintain operational readiness to contribute to international peace and security) U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) civil service// Civil Service Worker (Europe through the NATO to contribute to international peace and security) Global Affairs Canada Civil Service Commission of Canada, (now the Public Service Commission) Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces //Peace Officer/Group Supervisor (counseling, security, and rehabilitation. The California Youth Authority (CYA), now largely operating under the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) - Division of Juvenile Justice.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
Lane county is where I live and raised my family. I support youth, seniors, families and uplifting others with dignity and respect, honoring their intrinsic worth through kindness, active listening, equal treatment, and always treating everyone with decency. My opinion of Lane County civil servants is favorable, an amazing, great and vital, highly educated, and dedicated nonpartisan workforce. Lane County employees, citizens, tax payers and Commissioners do not want a Commissioner who is extremely clumsy, tactless, or reckless in a delicate situation, who causes unintentional damage or creates a chaotic mess due to their behavior. County Commissioners in Oregon are not directly responsible for curriculum or school administration, but they play a role in the financial and regional support framework surrounding the school system. Oregon school funding is undergoing significant debate. We know changes are in our future. My work with children and families at many school Districts in Lane County through Lane Education Service District, will be a valuable asset to the citizens of Lane County. That is what motivates me to serve on the Lane County Board of Commissioners.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
Rising cost of living and homelessness are concerns that need addressing. I would collaborate with appropriate agencies to expand rental assistance, enact zoning reforms to increase housing, enhance tenant protections, and strengthen housing infrastructure.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
Through community engagement and transparency.
No campaign website provided.
District 5 — East Lane
| Candidate | Econ Dev | Public Safety | Reg & Biz | Fiscal | Governance | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heather Buch | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
| Jake Pelroy | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8.4 | |
| Bob Zybach | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 5.3 | 5.4 |
The Chamber did not issue an endorsement in this race.
About the Candidate
I am currently Lane County Commissioner for District 5, a mother, military spouse, and housing advocate. I was born and raised here in Lane County, growing up in rural Lane County. I spent my professional career running a small real estate business for 15 years, specializing in affordable housing. I also worked as Special Projects Director for St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, our county’s largest nonprofit human services organization. There, I helped local families access safe, habitable housing. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time deeply involved in creating connections with often forgotten and vulnerable communities around the county. This experience has put me in touch with various community groups such as Rotary Clubs, Veterans’ support groups, food and nutrition agencies, state agencies and many more. In the aftermath of the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire, I worked with two simultaneous Emergency Operation Centers, Incident Command, FEMA, local leaders, and federal and state agencies. During the recovery of this region, I have worked with numerous community-based organizations, non-profits, and foundations to bring much needed support to the area. I’ve also supported public-private partnerships to build more than 600 affordable housing units to help families and individuals to get off the streets and connected to services.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
Since taking office in 2019, I have led our community through multiple crises. Throughout the pandemic and the region’s devastating megafires, I have been a steady leader who has delivered for my constituents. Under my leadership, Lane County has made progress on many fronts — from creating new housing communities, to the construction of a new primary care clinic in South Lane and rebuilding the critical infrastructure that connects our homes and cities. I’m committed to getting the work done and supporting Lane County.
I’m running for reelection because there’s more work to be done, like building our mental health Crisis Stabilization Center, advancing the CleanLane Resource Recovery facility, strengthening our public safety system, creating more housing, and making it easier to do business in Lane County. I will continue to lead on these issues. I’m not done fighting for Lane County’s families.
I’m running for reelection because there’s more work to be done, like building our mental health Crisis Stabilization Center, advancing the CleanLane Resource Recovery facility, strengthening our public safety system, creating more housing, and making it easier to do business in Lane County. I will continue to lead on these issues. I’m not done fighting for Lane County’s families.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
Housing Production: We have a critical shortage of housing units in Lane County, which is driving up costs and stifling the economy. The county has an opportunity to help advance housing production by assisting smaller cities and communities with critical infrastructure needs through grants, technical expertise, and policy advocacy. We can help smaller communities with water and wastewater systems that are at the end of their useful life, so they can lift building moratoriums. We can also work regionally with business partners to advance land use policy updates that will help bolster housing productivity and design models.
Public Safety: With only 3 deputies and 1 sergeant on patrol at any given time across Lane County, we have a serious shortcoming in public safety response and connected system needs. I’ve supported increased patrols and added six new mobile crisis vans on the roads in metro and rural Lane County. I’ve also supported the local Public Safety Task Force, which came together to recommend several options to the board to bolster the system. I will work with the community in the coming year to have robust conversations about what they might support to enhance services. I’ve found regionally assigned patrols particularly popular.
Public Safety: With only 3 deputies and 1 sergeant on patrol at any given time across Lane County, we have a serious shortcoming in public safety response and connected system needs. I’ve supported increased patrols and added six new mobile crisis vans on the roads in metro and rural Lane County. I’ve also supported the local Public Safety Task Force, which came together to recommend several options to the board to bolster the system. I will work with the community in the coming year to have robust conversations about what they might support to enhance services. I’ve found regionally assigned patrols particularly popular.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
We are seeing major cuts to fundamental, core community services due to federal administrative policy and state economic budget forecasts. As commissioners, we will be tested on our values when faced with looming budget cuts. It is important to me to ensure we have inclusive, robust conversations with the community, residents and businesses alike, about the impacts we may face. Many services are part of a larger system, and it is important to analyze how changes will affect other agencies and partners to minimize negative impacts on the public.
We must also continue to find efficiencies in our departments and keep expenses in line with resources. Additionally, I will support bolstering our economic base, both local and regional, to bring in more businesses that contribute to the county’s income stream. I’m also committed to advocating for the resources our community needs from federal and state agencies.
We must also continue to find efficiencies in our departments and keep expenses in line with resources. Additionally, I will support bolstering our economic base, both local and regional, to bring in more businesses that contribute to the county’s income stream. I’m also committed to advocating for the resources our community needs from federal and state agencies.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: HeatherBuch.com
About the Candidate
I grew up in Veneta, in a small business household. My Dad had a struggling small business during my early childhood. After my brother was born he began looking for steady work, ultimately finding a job as a garbageman. In 2000, he decided to start his own waste hauling business, which is still running strong today. During my high school years and until I joined the Marines in 2005, I worked various jobs for my family’s small business. I joined the United States Marine Corps in January 2005, with a job as an intelligence analyst. My service included three deployments contributing to Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2010, I was honorably discharged from the Marines and moved back to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon. While at the University of Oregon I supported multiple public servants in their campaigns for office, ultimately starting my own business, “Pelroy & Associates,” in 2012, helping people, businesses, and community groups with policy issues and campaigns in Oregon. I graduated in 2014 with a BS in General Social Science, Specializing in Applied Economics, Business and Society. Since leaving the Marines I have worked on various policy/political projects for over 16 years and spent 6+ years staffing legislators at the state capitol.
In 2024, I helped form the Lane County Garbage and Recycling Association (LCRGRA). LCGRA is an industry advocacy association of family-owned garbage and recycling haulers in Lane County. We aim to protect and educate customers about issues facing garbage and recycling ecosystems in Lane County and advocate for the voice of its members and the system. I married my wife Kelly in 2015 and we welcomed our two boys in 2016 and 2018 respectively. We are members of Gospel Community Church and run a small vacation rental business, KDP Properties, as a husband and wife team.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
My motivation to serve is based in a desire to see the County Board work together to improve the organization’s fiscal discipline and long-term stewardship of county resources, infrastructure, and business partnerships.
In recent years, several high visibility projects and decisions have highlighted the broader structural governance challenges at the County. They are seen in how initiatives are developed, prioritized, implemented and managed, with a pattern of exposing the County and Board to financial and political liability. These have not been one-off issues, but rather a pattern which begs the question of whether it is accidental or intentional. Examples of this need for improved and clearer governance and relationships with and among the Board and staff include the CleanLane Resource Recovery Facility, the behavioral health facility siting attempts, multiple overturned land use decisions by LUBA, mismanagement and underinvestment of tourism dollars and the Lane County events center, and the Lane County Courthouse. These examples all share a pattern of ineffective communication between staff, the board, and impacted stakeholders, failed land use decisions, limited knowledge or discussion of economic variables, extensive financial commitments of scarce county resources, broad legal and financial liability shouldered by the County, and non-completion.
I’m running to be part of the County Board who begins to focus on the core services which should be our fundamental focus; public safety, rural roads and infrastructure, effective permitting and land use, and support of our rural communities.
In recent years, several high visibility projects and decisions have highlighted the broader structural governance challenges at the County. They are seen in how initiatives are developed, prioritized, implemented and managed, with a pattern of exposing the County and Board to financial and political liability. These have not been one-off issues, but rather a pattern which begs the question of whether it is accidental or intentional. Examples of this need for improved and clearer governance and relationships with and among the Board and staff include the CleanLane Resource Recovery Facility, the behavioral health facility siting attempts, multiple overturned land use decisions by LUBA, mismanagement and underinvestment of tourism dollars and the Lane County events center, and the Lane County Courthouse. These examples all share a pattern of ineffective communication between staff, the board, and impacted stakeholders, failed land use decisions, limited knowledge or discussion of economic variables, extensive financial commitments of scarce county resources, broad legal and financial liability shouldered by the County, and non-completion.
I’m running to be part of the County Board who begins to focus on the core services which should be our fundamental focus; public safety, rural roads and infrastructure, effective permitting and land use, and support of our rural communities.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
Public Safety — In 2025, a diverse task force of community representatives dedicated hundreds of hours to understanding the state of Lane County Public Safety. That group thoughtfully delivered a message to the Board that the solution first is in prioritization, not new taxes. The committee implored the Board to find efficiencies within the current budget structure, in some cases choosing public safety over other department programs, before implementing new taxes or fees. They also emphasized unanimously the importance of trust and engagement with voters. I believe our roadmap to Public Safety exists in those multi-step recommendations.
Affordability — Affordability is described by each person differently, but one thing that is consistent is the broad sense that the cost of living in Lane County has outpaced incomes and the benefits of living here. Households across the county are cutting their spending, discontinuing non-critical activities, and focusing their investments in the critical places where partnerships and neighbors can combine or leverage resources. Our cupboards are not abundant and our households are not frivolous right now. And we need a county operating similarly; refraining from overextending on expensive and high liability, high risk, low known return projects. Aggressively leaning into partnerships with existing landowners and reliable businesses to see their expansion needs realized. Support of housing development in the rural county areas. Improved presence by County leadership in our rural communities and city halls. Affordability will improve when the Lane County economy begins to grow again, and the economy grows when the County is in service to the priorities set within the incorporated and unincorporated cities.
Affordability — Affordability is described by each person differently, but one thing that is consistent is the broad sense that the cost of living in Lane County has outpaced incomes and the benefits of living here. Households across the county are cutting their spending, discontinuing non-critical activities, and focusing their investments in the critical places where partnerships and neighbors can combine or leverage resources. Our cupboards are not abundant and our households are not frivolous right now. And we need a county operating similarly; refraining from overextending on expensive and high liability, high risk, low known return projects. Aggressively leaning into partnerships with existing landowners and reliable businesses to see their expansion needs realized. Support of housing development in the rural county areas. Improved presence by County leadership in our rural communities and city halls. Affordability will improve when the Lane County economy begins to grow again, and the economy grows when the County is in service to the priorities set within the incorporated and unincorporated cities.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
I would look to preserve essential services, like public safety and cut non essential services/projects. For example Lane County has 4 people who work on government affairs for the county, 4 years ago they had 1 person that attended to this issue. Another example is administration, in the last 4 years there has been a position of assistant county administrator created. In addition to examining county administration, I would halt the further hemorrhaging of finances to the CleanLane Project and other new projects the county has moved forward with.
Long term financial stability for the county really depends on economic growth. We must have an all of the above approach to economic activity. Lane County is a timber county, we must support that industry and other natural resources industries. For decades our timber harvests on O&C lands paid for a ton of services at the county, my opponent is opposed to utilizing these resources, instead looking for tax/fee increases. No one tells Nebraska farmers to stop harvesting corn or Maine fishermen to stop fishing lobsters.
In addition to natural resources, we need to reform our Land Management Division at the county to streamline homes and business developing properties outside the UGB, developed properties pay more in property taxes than undeveloped properties. Overcoming our budgetary issues relies on a strong economy and not financially obligating the county to additional expenditures.
Long term financial stability for the county really depends on economic growth. We must have an all of the above approach to economic activity. Lane County is a timber county, we must support that industry and other natural resources industries. For decades our timber harvests on O&C lands paid for a ton of services at the county, my opponent is opposed to utilizing these resources, instead looking for tax/fee increases. No one tells Nebraska farmers to stop harvesting corn or Maine fishermen to stop fishing lobsters.
In addition to natural resources, we need to reform our Land Management Division at the county to streamline homes and business developing properties outside the UGB, developed properties pay more in property taxes than undeveloped properties. Overcoming our budgetary issues relies on a strong economy and not financially obligating the county to additional expenditures.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: Pelroy.com
About the Candidate
I am a 77-year-old forest scientist, former reforestation contractor, 7th-generation Oregonian, and great-grandparent to two 10th-generation Oregonians, both currently enrolled in Corvallis public grade schools.
I graduated from Grant High School in Portland in 1966, married Pamela Marcoe and raised our two boys on our tree farm in Eddyville. During that time Pam and I formed Phoenix Reforestation, a forest restoration contracting business that operated for nearly 20 years and successfully reforested more than 85,000 acres of land in the Pacific Northwest; primarily in western Oregon and Washington, but also the eastern parts of the states, northern Idaho and northern California. Between the recession of the early 1980s and spotted owl regulations and litigation in the late 1980s, our business and marriage failed and I returned to school, eventually obtaining a PhD in forest science, cultural anthropology, and historical archaeology, technically making me an historical ecologist with limited career opportunities. In 1993 I incorporated NW Maps Co. as a formal family business, based in Cottage Grove, with a focus on historical landscape research, fire history, and reforestation planning. In 1996 I co-founded Oregon Websites & Watersheds Project, Inc., with the late Wayne Giesy, and we launched what is likely the oldest and continuously operating educational website in history, www.ORWW.org; a 501 c(3) nonprofit educational website that was launched in January 1997 and continues to operate to the present time.
I have been a published writer and photographer on the topics of forest and fire history, reforestation planning, spotted owl politics, and early Oregon history for more than 40 years. In the past 10 years I have published six books on these topics under the NW Maps Co. imprint and continue working full-time for the future business owners, Kendal and Tyler, my two favorite great-grandkids.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
Wildfire prevention, old-growth restoration, and rural unemployment are all inter-related, critical, and high-priority issues for Lane County, and they are also directly related to severely needed funding for our rural schools and roads and for county police. It is time for Lane County residents to get back to work and off “government assistance.” I am running specifically for this position because of all the biological, economic, recreational, and aesthetic damage that continues to take place in Lane County due to the increased occurrences and risks of predictable and preventable catastrophic wildfires on our federal lands.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
I think the two major problems facing Lane County today, and particularly District 5, are rural unemployment and greatly increased wildfire risk due to continued mismanagement of our federal forests.
Blue River and Oakridge are just two examples of rural eastern Lane communities that have been seriously damaged by these wildfires and by anti-management litigation.
Lane County is one of the most heavily forested counties in the world and contains some of the finest timber growing soils and weather in history — and most of it is being openly wasted at a tremendous cost to US taxpayers, and an even greater cost to rural Lane County residents.
If our forests were being actively and sustainably managed again for future generations — as originally outlined by law and successfully practiced by earlier generations — it would greatly reduce wildfire risks, wildlife mortality, deadly air pollution, and ugly landscapes, while greatly increasing local job and recreational opportunities, and significantly more funding for our county schools, roads, and police.
Blue River and Oakridge are just two examples of rural eastern Lane communities that have been seriously damaged by these wildfires and by anti-management litigation.
Lane County is one of the most heavily forested counties in the world and contains some of the finest timber growing soils and weather in history — and most of it is being openly wasted at a tremendous cost to US taxpayers, and an even greater cost to rural Lane County residents.
If our forests were being actively and sustainably managed again for future generations — as originally outlined by law and successfully practiced by earlier generations — it would greatly reduce wildfire risks, wildlife mortality, deadly air pollution, and ugly landscapes, while greatly increasing local job and recreational opportunities, and significantly more funding for our county schools, roads, and police.
3. How would you approach the budgetary issues?
My highest priority would be to immediately begin looking at current USFS and BLM timber sale programs and contracting methods in order to bring them to public attention and begin taking corrective actions. These sales and contracts resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars to our roads, schools, and police for generations. My focus would be a return to local firefighting, reforestation, logging, and manufacturing businesses to restore severely needed long-term, full-time, family-wage jobs.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: zybachforlane.com
Powering Eugene’s Future
Eugene Water & Electric Board
The Eugene Water & Electric Board provides electricity and water to more than 200,000 people. EWEB Commissioner decisions on rates, infrastructure investment, and energy policy directly affect business operating costs and community resilience. These races determine who will guide the utility’s approach to affordability, reliability, and long-term planning.
How We Scored EWEB Candidates
The Candidate Review Committee developed a scoring rubric tailored to the responsibilities of each elected office. Panelists scored candidates 1–10 in each category; scores shown are aggregate averages. Endorsement threshold: overall score of 9 or higher with unanimous committee recommendation.
Scoring Categories — EWEB
- Economic Development — Understanding of the role an EWEB Commissioner plays in ensuring a thriving local economy and supporting business growth
- Business Experience — Perspective as a ratepayer and understanding of business community needs and priorities
- Regulations & Communication — Approach to increasing trust, transparency, and communication with businesses about policies that affect them
- Governance — Experience navigating differing opinions and incorporating varying perspectives into decision-making
- Leadership — Leadership style, collaborative approach, and ability to guide the utility through complex challenges
We also asked every candidate to complete a short, written questionnaire — their responses can be found in each candidate’s profile below.
9.7
Wards 4 & 5
John Brown
10
At-Large
Eric Dziura
EWEB — Wards 4 & 5
| Candidate | Econ Dev | Biz Experience | Reg & Comm | Governance | Leadership | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Brown | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9.3 | 9.3 | 9.7 | ✓ ENDORSED |
John Brown is running unopposed.
About the Candidate
Native of Eugene, strong history of advocating for clean water and waterways, EWEB Commissioner since 2007. Past Boards/Committees: Eugene Chamber of Commerce Board and Executive Committee, Downtown Commission, HIV Alliance, Cal Young Neighborhood Association, Southtowne Rotary, Police Commission, Eugene Police Foundation, Willamette Family Board of Directors, Public Lands Advisory Commission.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
I have always maintained a strong effort to protect our drinking water supply and the McKenzie River. Affordability and Reliability while reflecting community values is forefront in my efforts around both electricity and drinking water.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
1) Meeting peaking power supplies as we are facing the real possibility of brownouts or shutoffs during peak demand times, 2) Continuing to address the requirement of obtaining a backup drinking water source. Out of the top 20 cities in Oregon, Eugene is the ONLY one without a backup drinking water source.
3. How would you support the business community?
AI will continue to compete with available supply and we need to ensure our local business community doesn’t have to subsidize the AI movement by paying increased rates to meet the AI demand.
EWEB — At-Large
| Candidate | Econ Dev | Biz Experience | Reg & Comm | Governance | Leadership | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Dziura | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | ✓ ENDORSED |
| Alexi Miller | 8.4 | 8.6 | 7.2 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.64 |
About the Candidate
MS Mech. Eng, MS Aero. Eng; Veteran of 21 years of military service; 20 years teaching engineering/science at a public university and 2 community colleges; 5 years Board of Directors Medford OR Sch. Dist.; 4 years Board of Directors Jackson County OR Lib. District; Extensive budget committee experience; ABC NA Board Treasurer; Chair Eugene Airport Advisory Committee; Neighborhood At-Large Representative MUPTE Review Panel; Board Member City Club of Eugene; Student Mentor Shasta Middle School.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
I’m running for office because as a publicly owned utility, EWEB serves as a vital economic cornerstone for our community. Reliable and affordable electricity and water are essential for families, small businesses, and large employers alike. Decisions made in the next several years — regarding infrastructure replacement, electrification demand, and financial planning — will shape Eugene’s competitiveness and stability for decades.
My background includes 21 years in the military, 21 years in higher education, and leadership roles on public boards overseeing significant budgets and infrastructure systems. I believe EWEB needs disciplined, data-driven governance focused on long-term planning and fiscal responsibility.
The issue that most motivates me is ensuring that necessary infrastructure investments are made without creating unnecessary rate volatility. Predictability, transparency, and resilience must guide EWEB’s decisions so that businesses and residents can plan with confidence.
My background includes 21 years in the military, 21 years in higher education, and leadership roles on public boards overseeing significant budgets and infrastructure systems. I believe EWEB needs disciplined, data-driven governance focused on long-term planning and fiscal responsibility.
The issue that most motivates me is ensuring that necessary infrastructure investments are made without creating unnecessary rate volatility. Predictability, transparency, and resilience must guide EWEB’s decisions so that businesses and residents can plan with confidence.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
1) Affordability and Rate Stability: Rising energy and water costs affect business operations and household budgets. As Commissioner, I would require clear long-range financial planning, transparent justification for rate increases, and strong communication well in advance of changes. Stable planning reduces economic disruption.
2) Infrastructure Reliability and Resilience: The January 2024 ice storm demonstrated the importance of system hardening and emergency preparedness. I support continued investment in substation modernization, vegetation management, grid upgrades, and water system resilience. Reliability protects property values, business continuity, and public safety.
These priorities are interconnected: disciplined planning helps maintain both affordability and reliability.
2) Infrastructure Reliability and Resilience: The January 2024 ice storm demonstrated the importance of system hardening and emergency preparedness. I support continued investment in substation modernization, vegetation management, grid upgrades, and water system resilience. Reliability protects property values, business continuity, and public safety.
These priorities are interconnected: disciplined planning helps maintain both affordability and reliability.
3. How would you support the business community?
Businesses depend on predictable utility costs and uninterrupted service. As Commissioner, I would focus on:
• Long-term rate stability and transparency
• Reliable infrastructure that minimizes outages
• Clear communication with business stakeholders
• Thoughtful capital planning to avoid sudden cost spikes
I also support efficiency and electrification programs that lower long-term operating costs for commercial customers.
EWEB should maintain structured engagement with business leaders and organizations, so that their perspectives are considered before major policy or rate decisions are finalized. Strong utilities are essential to economic vitality.
• Long-term rate stability and transparency
• Reliable infrastructure that minimizes outages
• Clear communication with business stakeholders
• Thoughtful capital planning to avoid sudden cost spikes
I also support efficiency and electrification programs that lower long-term operating costs for commercial customers.
EWEB should maintain structured engagement with business leaders and organizations, so that their perspectives are considered before major policy or rate decisions are finalized. Strong utilities are essential to economic vitality.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: eric4eweb.com
About the Candidate
Eugene is my forever home and I try every day to make this city a better place. I was born and raised right here in Eugene and I am thrilled to be raising my two young children here in this community. My Eugene roots run deep – and so do my family’s: my mother was an EWEB Commissioner, while my two other parents both served on the Eugene City Council. This family tradition of local public service deeply informed my values, my career, and how I live my life. “Leave it better than you found it” applies to government and the environment – not just making the bed.
I have spent almost twenty years working in the energy efficiency technology and policy space. In my day job I am the Director of Building Innovation at the nonprofit New Buildings Institute. In that role, I lead a team of technical experts, engineers, policymakers, and project managers who work to make buildings better for people and the planet. One example of my work: I founded and continue to lead the GridOptimal Buildings Initiative, a national collaborative effort to improve integration between buildings and the electricity grid. Over my 11 years at the New Buildings Institute I have helped advance emerging technology, move the needle on energy policy, and defined what’s next for utility companies across the country. That experience, and my background as a licensed Professional Engineer (OR Licence #86378PE), means I have the technical knowledge to help the Board understand complex technical issues without exclusively relying on EWEB staff and outside experts for guidance. (There are no engineers on the EWEB board today.)
Here at home, I am the Vice-Chair of the Eugene Sustainability Commission and I serve on the Envision Eugene Technical Advisory Committee, which deals with urban growth monitoring. I regularly volunteer to help the less fortunate among us. For years, during the coldest nights of winter, I stay up late working at the Egan Warming Centers, helping offer a warm place for the most vulnerable among us when cold weather becomes life-threatening. I also regularly help clean our parks and open spaces to make our city a better place to live. I am a local business owner: I own four Eugene homes. I am proud to provide housing for Eugene residents in a fair and just manner that provides dignity and safe housing for the tenants while providing a return on my investments as a business owner.
1. Please share with us your primary reason for running in this election.
I am running for EWEB Commissioner because I care deeply about Eugene and want to put my experience and knowledge to work for the people of Eugene. Our municipal utility is one of the crown jewels of Eugene: we are very fortunate to have our water and electricity supplied by the people, for the people. In this time of climate change, the status quo is not enough. This is a time of transition for EWEB and Eugene, for external and internal reasons. We are already seeing more frequent and more extreme heat domes, ice storms, and wildfires, making it harder to provide clean, reliable, affordable power and water to Eugene. Other trends loom too: heating and transportation electrification, the rise of power-hungry data centers, and a hostile federal government that has already canceled local grants and may pull more funding. Internally, the Boomers are retiring and both EWEB and Eugene have just hired new managers. The combination of challenges on the horizon and new leadership means this is a critical time for EWEB and Eugene. We must meet the moment with bold vision, to make sure we don’t miss opportunities as they come up, within the framing of long-term goals.
2. What are the top 2 issues and how would you address them?
The top two issues facing EWEB are (1) maintaining affordability and reliability even in the face of rising demand and external challenges like winter storms and heat domes, and (2) building “head room” in our water and power systems to provide for future growth in Eugene.
Rising EWEB water and energy bills are top of mind for many Eugene residents and businesses. I will work to ensure that EWEB is fiscally responsible, keeps spending under control, and prioritizes affordability while thinking strategically about necessary near-term and long-term investments. Sometimes we have to strike a balance: for example, when planning the construction of a secondary water source on the Willamette River. This provides resilience and enables future growth but is projected to cost well over $100m. EWEB’s programs and rates should facilitate investment, help Eugeneans protect our investments, safeguard our natural environment (a real tourism and business magnet), and set Eugene and EWEB up for long-term economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
For both of these issues and others, I will build on my career as a national thought leader advancing utility rate design, energy efficiency, and ratepayer engagement programs to bring tried and true best practices back home to EWEB.
Rising EWEB water and energy bills are top of mind for many Eugene residents and businesses. I will work to ensure that EWEB is fiscally responsible, keeps spending under control, and prioritizes affordability while thinking strategically about necessary near-term and long-term investments. Sometimes we have to strike a balance: for example, when planning the construction of a secondary water source on the Willamette River. This provides resilience and enables future growth but is projected to cost well over $100m. EWEB’s programs and rates should facilitate investment, help Eugeneans protect our investments, safeguard our natural environment (a real tourism and business magnet), and set Eugene and EWEB up for long-term economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
For both of these issues and others, I will build on my career as a national thought leader advancing utility rate design, energy efficiency, and ratepayer engagement programs to bring tried and true best practices back home to EWEB.
3. How would you support the business community?
EWEB can support the business community both directly and indirectly. Maintaining stable, affordable water and electricity rates is critical for local businesses. EWEB can support the business community by acting as a central hub in a one-stop-shop model to help homes and businesses invest in energy efficiency, weatherization, and electrification to cut water and energy costs through strategic, targeted investments. That directly supports local businesses while freeing headroom in our energy and water systems, providing for business and home growth. Efficiency is the “first fuel” to enable this growth, but we will also need to invest in more generation on the power side (or we risk exposure to expensive wholesale spot-market power purchases). Through strategic local business, government, and nonprofit partnerships, EWEB could anchor community-solar-powered microgrids to provide resilience during emergencies and support the grid all year round. Finally, EWEB conducts large projects and makes large investments — like the second drinking water source. That $100m+ price tag could inject substantial local money back into the local economy — if we are able to competitively select local companies and contractors to do the job. EWEB should support local businesses with win-win projects and services for Eugene ratepayers and residents.
For a full list of endorsements, visit the candidate’s website: friendsofaleximiller.com
GET TO KNOW THE CANDIDATES & TAKE ACTION
WATCH the council Candidate Forum
On April 23, 2026, the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Council Candidate Breakfast Forum featuring candidates running for Eugene City Council in Wards 3, 4, 5, and 6. This nonpartisan forum gave business leaders direct access to the candidates and insight into where they stand on the issues that matter most: economic growth, workforce challenges, public safety, and policies impacting local employers. If you missed it, you can watch the recording above, or on our Facebook or YouTube pages thanks to Metro TV.
WATCH the LANE COUNTY COMMISSIONER Candidate Forum
The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, Better Housing Together, and the other partners of A.C.T. Now Lane (Advancing Community Together: A cross-sector coalition to address our housing & homelessness crisis), hosted a special candidate forum on Tuesday, April 28. If you missed it, you can watch the recording above, or on the A.C.T. NOW Lane Facebook page thanks to Metro TV.
take action
Business voices matter in local decisions—and this is a critical moment to engage.
Ballots are due May 19.
Ballots are due May 19.
- Review the Chamber’s endorsements
- Make a plan to vote
- Return your ballot on time
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important dates
BALLOTS
While voting by mail is as easy as sending a postcard, it’s important to remember a few important details. First, make sure that your current voter registration is up to date. Make sure that the signature used on your ballot matches that used for your voter registration.
Ballots must be postmarked by 8 PM on Election Day.
DROPBOX LOCATIONS
For a full list of drop box locations in Lane County, visit Lane County Elections - Official Ballot Dropsites.
WHERE CAN I FIND ELECTION RESULTS?
For real-time updates in Lane County’s election, visit the Lane County Election Dashboard on or after election day.
- New Voter Registration Deadline is on April 28, 2026.
- Party Affiliation Deadline is on April 28, 2026. If you want to vote for a Democratic or Republican candidate, you must be registered with that party by this date.
- Ballots will be mailed to local voters April 30th - May 14th, 2026.
- Ballots will be mailed to local and out-of-state absentee voters April 30th, 2026
- Military and overseas voters will be mailed April 3rd, 2026
- Open April 30, 2026
- Close Election Day Tuesday, May 19th, 2026
- Election results will be certified on June 15th, 2026
While voting by mail is as easy as sending a postcard, it’s important to remember a few important details. First, make sure that your current voter registration is up to date. Make sure that the signature used on your ballot matches that used for your voter registration.
Ballots must be postmarked by 8 PM on Election Day.
DROPBOX LOCATIONS
For a full list of drop box locations in Lane County, visit Lane County Elections - Official Ballot Dropsites.
WHERE CAN I FIND ELECTION RESULTS?
For real-time updates in Lane County’s election, visit the Lane County Election Dashboard on or after election day.
