María Hinojos Pressey, a Democrat, is running for Marion County Commission Position 2 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. She faces Republican Colm Willis.

Asked why she is running, Hinojos Pressey said in our questionnaire: "Marion County should be focusing on increasing and expanding services to support our community, especially as the county that has the State's capitol, and instead of leading a lawsuit to overturn our State's sanctuary laws. Our County's resources should be dedicated to expanding housing and mental health services, increasing health services, as our community is losing health insurance coverage, and the clinics are no longer taking their health insurance plans. This is why I'm running for this position, to recenter community in our county's priorities."

Candidate information

Party: "Democrat, cross nominated by the Independent, Working Families, and Progressive Parties of Oregon," Hinojos Pressey said in our questionnaire.

Family: "I am married with one child," she said in our questionnaire.

Education: In our questionnaire, Hinojos Pressey listed: "M.A. Sociology, Arizona State University" and "B.A. Religious Studies, University of New Mexico."

Occupation and work history: In our questionnaire, she listed: "Deputy Director, PCUN Oregon's Farmworker Union 2019 to current," "Former Latinx Advocate at the Domestic Violence Resource Center" and "Volunteer Refugee Resettlement at Lutheran Family Services."

Experience and public service

In our questionnaire, Hinojos Pressey listed her previous elected offices as "Salem-Keizer School Board 2021 - 2025" and "Salem Area Mass Transit District 2020 - present."

Asked what accomplishments show she can handle the job, she said in our questionnaire: "Oversaw a $1billion budget with the Salem Keizer School District. Provided $6million in direct relief to Oregon farmworkers. Expanded Dual-Language access to all 40,000 SKPS students. Leading the cleanest fleet in Oregon."

On the issues

What sets her apart: Asked about the critical differences between herself and other candidates, Hinojos Pressey said in our questionnaire: "I've led efforts to expand access to public transportation and advance cleaner transportation. I helped champion investments in our schools and expanded opportunities for bilingual students. I also bring a perspective that has not always been represented in county government. I'm the daughter of Mexican immigrants, a mother, and one of the first Latinas elected to the Salem-Keizer School Board."

Housing: "Everyone deserves safe, affordable housing. As the Vice Chair of the Salem-Keizer School Board, I worked with developers to increase the number of affordable housing units in Salem," Hinojos Pressey said on her campaign website.

Transportation: "I am the youngest President of the Cherriot's Board of Directors, also known as the Salem Mass Transit District … During my time on the Board, I oversaw the rollout of the free youth bus pass, removing barriers for students," she said on her campaign website.

Veterans: "Supporting veterans in Marion County is one of my highest priorities. Our community is home to a significant number of veterans who qualify for disability benefits but have not yet applied … I am committed to expanding outreach, removing barriers to services, and ensuring every eligible veteran is connected to critical resources like disability compensation, healthcare, and housing assistance," she said on her campaign website.

Best advice: Asked for the best advice she ever received, Hinojos Pressey said in our questionnaire: "Ponte las pilas."

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