U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas is running for reelection to represent Oregon's 6th Congressional District in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Salinas faces Republican David Russ. She has served in the seat since 2023, according to her congressional office.

Candidate information

Party: Independent / Democratic

Family: Salinas is married to Chris Ramey, according to her campaign website. She said she was the first in her family to earn a college degree, working her way through school serving coffee and painting fences.

Family background: Salinas said on her campaign website that her father immigrated to the United States from Mexico in 1950, worked in the fields picking cotton and tomatoes, joined the military and served two tours in Vietnam, earned his citizenship through military service, and spent three decades as a police officer.

Experience and public service

Before Congress, Salinas served in the Oregon House of Representatives representing District 38 starting in 2017. She chaired the House Health Care Committee, according to her campaign website.

On the issuesThe following positions are Salinas’ stated views in her campaign materials.

Health care: Salinas said she co-chairs the Mental Health Caucus and has introduced bills to improve access to mental health care. She said she introduced the HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act, which would provide three free behavioral health visits per year for Medicare and Medicaid recipients. She said she supports capping prescription drug prices and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices.

Public safety: Salinas said she voted with members of both parties to reclassify fentanyl as a Schedule I substance and increase penalties for drug traffickers. She said she secured two grants for Oregon's rural communities to address fentanyl and delivered federal funding to help Salem Police recruit and hire more community service officers.

Environment and energy: Salinas said she served as a board member of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and brings over a decade of experience on climate issues. She said she cosponsored the Clean Water Act and legislation to improve environmental justice. She said she will stand up to corporate polluters and push Oregon toward 100% green energy.

Housing and homelessness: Salinas said she is prioritizing getting unhoused people into housing and is working with local, state and federal entities to find solutions. She said she is fighting for additional funding for emergency shelters in Oregon.

Immigration: Salinas said she serves as a member of the Border Security Task Force. She said she is working with Democrats and Republicans to strengthen border security, streamline immigration courts and deliver certainty for the millions of immigrants who already live in the country, pay taxes and contribute to communities.

Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.