The Political Center is proud to partner with the Salem Business Journal and What’s Happening Salem to host a virtual Salem mayoral debate on March 10, 2026 between Mayor Julie Hoy and City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke.

The debate will be live-streamed starting at 5:30 p.m. and free to access, continuing the Political Center’s commitment to expanding public access to meaningful, issue-focused civic dialogue.

[Register and submit a question in advance]

This marks the second mayoral debate sponsored and co-hosted by the Political Center. The first, held at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, drew more than 300 attendees and demonstrated strong community interest in substantive discussions about the future of Salem. While that event required either chamber membership or paid admission, this next debate removes those barriers entirely. (More about the first debate)

Accessibility is value shared by the Political Center, the Salem Business Journal, What’s Happening Salem, and the candidates themselves. Making the debate free and live-streamed ensures that anyone who wants to engage — regardless of schedule, membership, or financial constraints — can participate.

To further broaden participation, the live stream will be interactive. Viewers will be able to submit questions in real time, with the moderator selecting questions from the live stream for inclusion during the debate. This approach reflects the Political Center’s belief that civic engagement should be a two-way conversation, not a one-directional broadcast.

The debate will be held in the evening in an effort to accommodate residents who have busy work and family schedules, allowing more people to tune in or attend without sacrificing other responsibilities.

At its core, this debate is about bringing the issues that matter most to the Salem community into the open — in a format that is accessible, transparent, and focused on substance over spectacle.