Salem City Council Ward 8 · Nov 3, 2026
Micki Varney
Candidate for City Council Ward 8 (incumbent)
Micki Varney, the incumbent, is running for Salem City Council Ward 8 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Chris Cummings.
Last day to register to vote · Tue, Oct 13, 2026
Salem city councilor for Ward 8 and former salmon biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lists service as chair of the Salem Climate Action Plan Committee and the Salem Parks Board.
- Endorsed by
- UFCW 555, City of Salem AFSCME Local 2067, SEIU Oregon, Senator Deb Patterson, Representative Paul Evans, Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Polk County Democrats, Progressive Salem. Oregon Voters' Pamphlet, Polk County, Nov 3, 2026 (Salem Ward 8 statements, p. 41)
- Campaign website
- www.mickiforsalem.com
A June 25 recount of the Ward 8 race matched the earlier totals, so Micki Varney and Chris Cummings meet in a Nov 3 runoff. Statesman Journal · Jun 29, 2026
Where Micki Varney stands: positions on the record
Immigration enforcement1 sourced position
Voted yes on Resolution 2025-33, declaring an emergency over local impacts of federal immigration enforcement (passed 6-3, Dec 2025).
Council voteSalem City Council minutes, Dec 1, 2025 · Dec 1, 2025
Homelessness3 sourced positions
Voted no on accepting a donation to fund two Homeless Services Team police officers for six months (passed 6-3, Oct 2025).
Council voteSalem City Council minutes, Oct 27, 2025 · Oct 27, 2025
Says she will keep pushing for shelter, housing and outreach spending, tied to regular public reporting on outcomes.
“I will keep pushing for continued investments in shelter, housing, and outreach contingent on Council getting regular public reporting on key metrics and outcomes.”
Own statementSalem Reporter · Aug 13, 2026
Voted yes on creating a one-time social service pilot program funded with $200,000 (passed 7-2, Feb 2026).
Council voteSalem City Council minutes, Feb 9, 2026 · Feb 9, 2026
Data centers3 sourced positions
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-40, establishing a moratorium on data centers (passed 7-0, Sept 2026).
Council voteSalem City Council minutes, Sept 21, 2026 · Sep 21, 2026
Moved to create a data center task force to report draft policy to the council by Dec 31, 2026 (passed 8-0, July 2026).
Council voteSalem City Council minutes, July 27, 2026 · Jul 27, 2026
Moved to have staff explore barring the city from non-disclosure agreements with data center developers (passed 8-0, July 2026).
Council voteSalem City Council minutes, July 27, 2026 · Jul 27, 2026
Growth1 sourced position
Lists limiting growth to reduce traffic congestion among her priorities for the next term.
“Limiting growth to reduce traffic congestion”
Own statementOregon Voters' Pamphlet, Polk County, Nov 3, 2026 (Salem Ward 8 statements, p. 41)
Housing1 sourced position
Voted no on a 10-year property tax exemption for a 49-unit apartment project at 590 Willow Street NE (passed 7-2, May 2026).
Council voteSalem City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026
Also running for City Council Ward 8
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