Linda Nishioka, the current Salem city council president, is seeking reelection to the Ward 2 seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The nonpartisan race covers southeast Salem, where Nishioka has lived since 1998.
Nishioka said on her campaign website that she wants to continue building partnerships with local and regional businesses and nonprofits to strengthen Salem's economy and quality of life.
Candidate information
Office sought: Salem City Council, Ward 2
Party: Nonpartisan
Current role: Salem City Council president and Ward 2 councilmember (serving since 2022), according to the city of Salem's website
Residence: Southeast Salem (since 1998)
Education: Bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, University of Oregon Health Sciences Center; associate's degree in dental assisting, Portland Community College
Endorsements (claimed by endorsers): Oregon Working Families Party, Oregon League of Conservation Voters
Experience and public service
Nishioka worked as department director at Willamette Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery from 1998 to 2020, according to BallotReady profile data. She has also served as vice-chair of the City of Salem Downtown Advisory Board and on several nonprofit organizations, according to the city's website.
On the issues
The following positions are based on Nishioka's own responses on her campaign website and through a BallotReady questionnaire.
Public safety: Nishioka said public safety is one of the most important services a city provides. She said she supports ensuring emergency services have the staffing and resources to reduce response times. She pointed to the city's management of ambulance service as a way to better coordinate emergency responses, and she highlighted the crisis response pilot program. She also said her experience as council president through "unprecedented circumstances" has sharpened her focus on emergency preparedness.
Economy and downtown: Nishioka said growing Salem's economy means supporting existing businesses and making the city attractive to live and work in. She called for investments in walkability, adaptive reuse of older properties and enhanced public spaces. She said the city should incentivize building owners downtown to care for derelict buildings and pursue grant opportunities for remodeling downtown properties.
Parking and transportation: Downtown parking is a priority. Nishioka said the area is adapting to a new paid parking model and that many business owners question why the parking tax remains alongside metered parking. She said she will track revenue from the new parking system and may recommend refunding a portion of the 2025 parking tax paid by businesses. She also said the city must improve safety and security in the parkades.
Housing: Nishioka said she supports feasible solutions to address homelessness, including support services and increasing affordable housing to prevent those at risk from becoming homeless.
Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.
