Bend Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Bernadette Strome
Candidate for Mayor
Bernadette Strome is running for mayor of Bend in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Melanie Kebler.
Last day to register to vote · Tue, Oct 13, 2026
Owner of The Denim Dealer, an independent retail business, and former operations manager at Jackson's Outpost. Her pamphlet statement lists no prior government experience.
- Campaign website
- bernadetteforbend.com
Bernadette Strome did not attend the Sept 22 Partners for Affordable Housing forum; organizers said she was not feeling well. Central Oregon Daily · Sep 23, 2026
Where Bernadette Strome stands: positions on the record
Transportation fee1 sourced position
Says the council bypassed voters to add the Transportation Utility Fee and calls the fee a tax.
“they call it a fee, but let’s be honest: it’s a tax. Bend families should not be treated as an endless source of revenue.”
Transportation spending1 sourced position
Says transportation fees should go to maintaining existing infrastructure and road safety, not to bike lane and sidewalk projects.
“The use and practical application of these transportation fees should be to maintain our existing transportation infrastructure, and to improve safety on our roads.”
Own statementBernadette Strome campaign blog · Sep 25, 2026
Greenwood Avenue1 sourced position
Says the city ignored community opposition to the Greenwood Avenue pilot and that she supports honoring the original 2020 transportation bond promise.
Own statementBernadette Strome campaign website
Housing incentives1 sourced position
Says the city should audit its developer incentives and expand the ones that work.
“We will audit our developer incentives to determine what actually works best for Bend and then double down on those successful strategies.”
Own statementBernadette Strome campaign website
Housing need1 sourced position
Says the state's housing target for Bend makes no sense and Bend should do its own housing need analysis.
“The state’s target makes no sense. I believe Bend should conduct its own housing need analysis.”
Own statementBernadette Strome campaign blog · Sep 28, 2026
Neighborhood housing1 sourced position
Says the city's middle housing code changes should be used to build more smaller, more affordable units through infill.
Own statementBernadette Strome campaign blog · Sep 28, 2026
Growth1 sourced position
Says she supports establishing as large an urban reserve as possible with Deschutes County.
“Yes, I support establishing the biggest urban reserve as possible in partnership with Deschutes County.”
Own statementBernadette Strome campaign blog · Sep 28, 2026
City spending1 sourced position
Criticizes the $130 million public works campus and says new public debt should be a last resort.
Own statementBernadette Strome campaign blog · Sep 28, 2026
Hawthorne bridge1 sourced position
Says she does not support the Hawthorne pedestrian and bicycle bridge project as it stands.
Own statementBernadette Strome campaign blog · Sep 25, 2026
Also running for Mayor
- Melanie Kebler (incumbent)
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