Vernonia Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Susan
Wagner
Susan Wagner is running for mayor of Vernonia in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Charlie Kibben.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Charlie Kibben
- 02Susan WagnerYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Vernonia city councilor and former Vernonia School Board member who retired from Community Action Team in 2025. She served six years on the Planning Commission before joining the City Council.
- Party
- Nonpartisan race. City of Vernonia
Six candidates are on the ballot: Charlie Kibben and Susan Wagner for Mayor, and Gary Brown, Joseph Dombek, David Paul Sterner and Richard Traver for two City Council seats. Columbia County Voters' Pamphlet, November 3, 2026 General Election
The seats on the ballot are now held by Mayor Rick Hobart and Councilors Susan Wagner and Dale Webb; Rick Hobart and Dale Webb did not file to run. City of Vernonia
On the record: Susan Wagner
17 sourced01City budget2 sourced positions
as reported by Vernonia's Voice; not a direct quote
Says the city should keep using grants to pay for infrastructure such as street paving and the sewer system without raising residents' costs.
Own statementVernonia's Voice · Oct 15, 2026Link
Voted yes on adopting the FY 2026-2027 city budget (passed 4-0, June 2026).
Council voteVernonia City Council minutes, June 15, 2026 · Jun 15, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Local economy1 sourced position
as reported by The Spotlight; not a direct quote
Wants to bring back the Vernonia Economic Development Committee and encourage residents to shop locally.
Own statementThe Spotlight (Your Oregon News) · Sep 29, 2026Link
03Community involvement1 sourced position
Wants more residents, including younger people, to serve on city committees.
I would like to work with Council and City staff to encourage more community engagement in City committees and meetings.”
Own statementVernonia's Voice · Oct 15, 2026Link
04Police coverage1 sourced position
as summarized in the official Council minutes; not a direct quote
Was asked by the council to draft a letter to the Columbia County Sheriff's Department expecting it to respond to emergency calls during Vernonia police coverage gaps.
Own statementVernonia City Council special meeting minutes, April 27, 2026 · Apr 27, 2026Link
05Police chief contract3 sourced positions
as summarized in the official Council minutes; not a direct quote
Said police chief contract negotiations should be between the applicant and the City Administrator.
Own statementVernonia City Council special meeting minutes, April 27, 2026 · Apr 27, 2026Link
Voted yes on the police chief contract with five changes, including three months' severance (passed 3-2, May 2026).
Council voteVernonia City Council minutes, May 4, 2026 · May 4, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on the amended police chief contract with revised merit-increase language (passed 4-1, May 2026).
Council voteVernonia City Council minutes, May 18, 2026 · May 18, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Police on-call pay2 sourced positions
as summarized in the official Council minutes; not a direct quote
Said she was worried that allowing on-call pay for police would lead other city employees to ask for it.
Own statementVernonia City Council minutes, May 4, 2026 · May 4, 2026Link
Voted yes on directing the City Administrator to eliminate on-call time from the police budget (passed 5-0, May 2026).
Council voteVernonia City Council minutes, May 4, 2026 · May 4, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Burning rules1 sourced position
Voted yes on adopting Ordinance 950 regulating illegal burning as an emergency ordinance (passed 5-0, July 2026).
Council voteVernonia City Council minutes, July 20, 2026 · Jul 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
08Police radios1 sourced position
Voted yes on working with the City of Scappoose to apply for law enforcement radio grant funding (passed 3-1, June 2026).
Council voteVernonia City Council minutes, June 15, 2026 · Jun 15, 2026LinkHow the council voted
09Fireworks donation2 sourced positions
as summarized in the official Council minutes; not a direct quote
Said she was uncomfortable moving money from another budget line for the fireworks donation and proposed $1,000 or $1,200 instead.
Own statementVernonia City Council minutes, March 2, 2026 · Mar 2, 2026Link
Voted no on a $2,000 city donation toward the Vernonia fireworks show (passed 4-1, March 2026).
Council voteVernonia City Council minutes, March 2, 2026 · Mar 2, 2026LinkHow the council voted
10Committee liaisons1 sourced position
Voted yes on rotating council committee liaison assignments every six months (passed 4-1, February 2026).
Council voteVernonia City Council minutes, February 2, 2026 · Feb 2, 2026LinkHow the council voted
11Past candidacies2 sourced positions
Ran for Mayor in 2024 (lost).
Own statementColumbia County · Nov 27, 2024Link
Ran for City Council in 2022 (won).
Own statementColumbia County · Dec 1, 2022Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Susan Wagner: their words and their votes on the same issue
Police chief contract
In their words
Said police chief contract negotiations should be between the applicant and the City Administrator.
Apr 27, 2026 ·as summarized in the official Council minutes; not a direct quote ·Vernonia City Council special meeting minutes, April 27, 2026 · Apr 27, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on the police chief contract with five changes, including three months' severance (passed 3-2, May 2026).
May 4, 2026 ·Vernonia City Council minutes, May 4, 2026 · May 4, 2026
Voted yes on the amended police chief contract with revised merit-increase language (passed 4-1, May 2026).
May 18, 2026 ·Vernonia City Council minutes, May 18, 2026 · May 18, 2026
Fireworks donation
In their words
Said she was uncomfortable moving money from another budget line for the fireworks donation and proposed $1,000 or $1,200 instead.
Mar 2, 2026 ·as summarized in the official Council minutes; not a direct quote ·Vernonia City Council minutes, March 2, 2026 · Mar 2, 2026
On the record
Voted no on a $2,000 city donation toward the Vernonia fireworks show (passed 4-1, March 2026).
Mar 2, 2026 ·Vernonia City Council minutes, March 2, 2026 · Mar 2, 2026
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