Sutherlin Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Michelle
Sumner
Michelle Sumner, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Sutherlin in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Shawn New.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Shawn New
- 02Michelle SumnerYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Mayor of Sutherlin, appointed to her first term and elected to two more. Her career spans 21 years in public safety and 13 years with ODHS Child Welfare.
- Party
- Nonpartisan race. City of Sutherlin
On the record: Michelle Sumner
10 sourced01Public safety funding2 sourced positions
Says the city could have done better informing residents about the public safety fee and commits to earlier, clearer information.
One area where we could have done better was informing our citizens about the Public Safety Fee.”
Own statementNR Today · Oct 15, 2026Link
Moved and voted yes on rejecting the initiative petition on the public safety fee and sending it to the May 2026 ballot (passed 6-0, February 2026).
Council voteSutherlin City Council minutes, February 23, 2026 · Feb 23, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Downtown2 sourced positions
Voted yes on Resolution 2026.06, setting a registration form and fees for derelict buildings (passed 6-1, March 2026).
Council voteSutherlin City Council minutes, March 9, 2026 · Mar 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Lists downtown revitalization through Urban Renewal Grants and enforcement of city ordinances among her goals.
Enhance downtown revitalization through effective use of Urban Renewal Grants and enforcement of appropriate City ordinances so our downtown businesses can thrive and new businesses can prosper.”
Own statementNR Today · Oct 15, 2026Link
03Housing and homelessness1 sourced position
Cites Hastings Village, which she calls Sutherlin's first organized homeless community, as an accomplishment of her tenure.
We created and implemented Sutherlin’s first organized homeless community, providing a safe place for our unhoused residents to live while reducing impacts on parks, businesses, and public spaces.”
Own statementNR Today · Oct 15, 2026Link
04City spending1 sourced position
Voted yes on buying a 2025 Peterbilt dump truck for Public Works (passed 4-3, February 2026).
Council voteSutherlin City Council minutes, February 9, 2026 · Feb 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Liquor and tobacco sales1 sourced position
Voted yes on recommending the OLCC application of Oregon Smoke World for off-site sales (passed 4-2, February 2026).
Council voteSutherlin City Council minutes, February 23, 2026 · Feb 23, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06City budget1 sourced position
Voted yes on adopting the 2026-27 city budget, which the council approved in three parts (June 2026).
Council voteSutherlin City Council minutes, June 8, 2026 · Jun 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Marijuana measures1 sourced position
Voted yes on referring a repeal of the city's ban on marijuana facilities to the November 2026 ballot (unanimous, July 2026).
Council voteSutherlin City Council minutes, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
08City fees1 sourced position
Voted yes on Resolution 2026.16, the city fee schedule (passed 5-1, August 2026).
Council voteSutherlin City Council minutes, August 10, 2026 · Aug 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Michelle Sumner: their words and their votes on the same issue
Public safety funding
In their words
Says the city could have done better informing residents about the public safety fee and commits to earlier, clearer information.
Oct 15, 2026 ·NR Today · Oct 15, 2026
On the record
Moved and voted yes on rejecting the initiative petition on the public safety fee and sending it to the May 2026 ballot (passed 6-0, February 2026).
Feb 23, 2026 ·Sutherlin City Council minutes, February 23, 2026 · Feb 23, 2026
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