SPRINGFIELD – Sept. 11 marked the first day political candidates could file for their desired seats at the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division, and Ward 3 Springfield City Councilor Rodley wasted no time announcing her candidacy for Oregon House District 7 in 2026. This seat is currently held by nearly retired Rep. John Lively.
“My commitment has always been to bringing creative problem solving, compassion, and the ability to work with a variety of people and different perspectives to tackling challenging problems,” Rodley said. “I understand our community and think of myself as a pragmatic public servant, guided by my working-class Oregon roots.”
Rodley, in her second term on the Springfield City Council, has chaired the Springfield Economic Development Agency and the Human Services Commission and has participated in the Fire Governance and EMS Task Forces. She has also led the city’s Legislative Committee and is part of the management team for Lane County Developmental Disabilities Services, and previously served with United Way of Lane County.
In her announcement, Rodley noted her focus on housing, affordability, and livability challenges in Springfield over the past five years. “Raising my children as a working parent informs my belief in the need to invest in livable neighborhoods and strong communities, with a focus on affordable, accessible housing,” she said.
Rodley has endorsements from Lane County Commissioners Laurie Trieger and Heather Buch, fellow councilor Steve Moe, Rep. Lisa Fragala, Congresswoman Val Hoyle, and local community members and businesses.
Buch has also filed to run for another term representing East Lane County, emphasizing the importance of local government addressing affordable housing, reliable law enforcement, and healthcare access.
In Buch’s candidacy announcement, she stated that she has supported public-private partnerships to build more than 600 affordable housing units and voted to increase sheriff patrols, add six new mobile crisis vans on the roads in metro and rural Lane County, and build a new stabilization center for those experiencing mental health and addiction crises.
In other races, 4th Congressional District Rep. Val Hoyle is facing challenges from Democratic candidate Melissa Bird and Green Party candidate Justin Filip.
Sen. Jeff Merkley announced in July that he is seeking re-election.
