Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Canby Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 6

council seats up

2 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Mayor · Unopposed

Brian HodsonIncumbentBrian Hodson is the mayor of Canby, with a term ending December 31, 2026.2sourced

City Council · Vote for up to 3

Brian AyresBrian Ayres is a mechanical and systems engineer who worked 25 years at an aerospace company.2sourced
Scott CantonwineScott Cantonwine is president of CWC Investment Company and vice chair of the Canby Budget Committee.2sourced
Andrew MullinsAndrew Mullins is the manager of Canby Ace Hardware.2sourced
Melody ThompsonMelody Thompson is a retired local-government professional and former Canby mayor.3sourced
Shawn VarwigShawn Varwig is a candidate for Canby City Council.1sourced

All voters choose the mayor and up to three of the five council candidates; councilors are elected at large to staggered four-year terms.

4 notes on these statements

Brian Hodson is the only candidate listed for Mayor on the city's candidate list. City of Canby

The city lists five candidates for three Councilor positions: Brian Ayres, Scott Cantonwine, Melody Thompson, Shawn Varwig and Andrew Mullins. City of Canby

Canby voters will also decide Measure 3-642 (city administrator residency) and Measure 3-643 (Canby Utility Board charter). Clackamas County Voters' Pamphlet, November 3, 2026

The city is holding a town hall on the ballot measures on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. Woodburn Independent · Sep 25, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Traci HensleyCouncil President; term ends December 31, 20282sourced Jason PaddenCouncilor; term ends December 31, 20283sourced Daniel StearnsCouncilor; term ends December 31, 20281sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz2 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesCity administrator, Canby Utility Board charter, Growth and housing rules Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register to vote

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

City administrator

Where it standsCanby has an interim city administrator, and voters will decide a charter change to the residency requirement.

What's on the tableThe council appoints the city administrator and would set any waiver rules if Measure 3-642 passes.

Measure 3-642 would let the City Council waive or modify the charter requirement that the City Administrator live within Canby. Clackamas County Voters' Pamphlet, November 3, 2026
Randy Ealy is listed as Interim City Administrator in the August 5, 2026 council minutes. Canby City Council minutes, August 5, 2026 · Aug 5, 2026
Mayor Hodson said in February he hoped the city would get a new city administrator in 2026. Herald Pioneer · Feb 26, 2026

Canby Utility Board charter

Where it standsMeasure 3-643 on the November ballot would rewrite how the Canby Utility Board runs water and electric service.

What's on the tableVoters decide the charter change; the council works alongside the board either way.

Measure 3-643 would create a single water and electric department under the Canby Utility Board and remove certain limits on its ability to issue revenue bonds and incur debt. Clackamas County Voters' Pamphlet, November 3, 2026
The explanatory statement says the Board is developing a new water treatment plant and that current Chapter X restrictions affect its ability to obtain funding. Clackamas County Voters' Pamphlet, November 3, 2026

Growth and housing rules

Where it standsThe state is proposing middle housing rules, and the council has asked the Mayor to send a letter to the state about them.

What's on the tableThe next council will carry on Canby's comprehensive plan work and local housing decisions.

In August 2026 the Planning Director said state proposed rules from HB 2258 would go against the framework Canby was developing for housing in its Comprehensive Plan. Canby City Council minutes, August 5, 2026 · Aug 5, 2026
Staff drafted a letter to the state stating the city's opposition and suggestions for changes, and the council approved the Mayor signing it (6-0). Canby City Council minutes, August 5, 2026 · Aug 5, 2026

Walnut Street and a possible hotel

Where it standsThe South Walnut Street extension has a construction contract, and the city is studying a hotel concept.

What's on the tableThe council oversees the road project and any city role in attracting a hotel.

The council approved Ordinance 1662 on Feb. 18, 2026, awarding a construction contract of just over $3.4 million to Canby Excavating, Inc. for the South Walnut Street expansion. Herald Pioneer · Feb 23, 2026
Mayor Hodson said the last government hurdle was ODOT approval for a signaled intersection. Herald Pioneer · Feb 23, 2026
Mayor Hodson said the city is developing a hotel design concept with Scott Edwards Architecture and has a room-night generator study with Johnson Economics. Herald Pioneer · Feb 26, 2026

E-bike rules

Where it standsThe council adopted a city e-bike and scooter ordinance in August 2026 and members discussed changes.

What's on the tableThe next council can amend Canby's e-bike ordinance, including age limits and citations.

Ordinance 1675 was adopted 6-0 by roll call on August 5, 2026. Canby City Council minutes, August 5, 2026 · Aug 5, 2026
Mayor Hodson noted the ordinance could be changed if portions were not working. Canby City Council minutes, August 5, 2026 · Aug 5, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. Should the city take an active role in attracting a hotel?
2. How should Canby regulate e-bikes and e-scooters?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Last day to register to voteClackamas County Voters' Pamphlet, November 3, 2026Oct 13, 2026
Ballots mailed (Clackamas County)Clackamas County Voters' Pamphlet, November 3, 2026Oct 14, 2026
Election DayCity of CanbyNov 3, 2026
Elected candidates take the oath of officeCity of CanbyJan 6, 2027

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Traci Hensley, Jason Padden, Daniel Stearns3 on this ballot

6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The council has seven members: a Mayor and six Councilors, including a Council President. City of Canby
The Mayor is elected for a two-year term; councilors are elected at large to staggered four-year terms. City of Canby
Under the council's policies, the mayor votes only to break a tie. Canby City Council Policies & Guidelines (Resolution 1469 version)
Councilor Herman Maldonado's term ends December 31, 2026. City of Canby directory
Councilor Paul Waterman's term ends December 31, 2026. City of Canby directory
Councilor James Davis's term ends December 31, 2026. City of Canby directory

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