COTTAGE GROVE – Mayor Candace Solesbee announced that she will not be running for reelection this fall, and instead endorsed council member Greg Ervin at a city council meeting on Monday night.

Solesbee started on the city council representing Ward 3 from 2018 to 2022. She is serving her second term as mayor after being elected in the November 2024 General Election. Her current term expires at the end of the year.

She has served on various boards and committees over the past nine years, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Business Improvement District, the Budget Committee, the Mural Committee, and the Artwalk Committee. Currently, Mayor Solesbee holds advisory roles to Downtown Cottage Grove, the Community Foundation Board, and Lane Council of Governments (LCOG).

“I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching, and I’ve come to a difficult decision about how I can be most effective in leadership to our community,” Solesbee said. “This decision comes from careful thought about work responsibilities, the commitments already in motion, and what our community deserves from its leadership.”

While being a business owner of 5 Flying Monkeys Antique, Vintage, and Gifts and Shampoo Dolls, Solesbee is also volunteering her time to work on large projects for the city. She said she plans on focusing her time on preparing for the 2027 Wall Dogs MuralFest and the 50th anniversary celebration of “Animal House.”

Focusing on WallDogs

The WallDogs are a group of worldwide recognized artists who take over one city per year. The highly skilled sign painters and mural artists from around the world restore and create historic artwork. Recent projects by The WallDogs have been done in Illinois, New Hampshire, and Indiana.

In 2027, around 300 artists will come to Cottage Grove and paint 15 murals around town in four days. Back in October last year, around 300 folks attended the Mayor’s Monster Ball to raise funds for the event.

“This is something that’s going to bring our community together and celebrate our history. We have so much to paint in Cottage Grove,” Solesbee said in September 2025, during the dedication ceremony of the Goose Train mural at Bohemia Park.

“I believe good leadership means showing up fully for the promises we make, and I need the time and focus to see this work done to fruition. That is the major part of why I made this decision,” Solesbee said.

“Stepping away from the mayor’s position is bittersweet. My passion and love for Cottage Grove are the reason I said yes in the first place, and they are the reason I still care deeply about the future that we are all building together.”

As she wrapped up her speech, Solesbee included an endorsement for councilor Greg Ervin.

“A few years ago, I asked Council President Ervin if he would consider running for mayor. I asked because he has exemplified integrity, honesty, and the ability to listen and work. At the time, he had too much on his plate, but he has since expressed that he has already pursued this position. I could not be happier to offer a full personal endorsement for the leadership he is prepared to bring,” she said.

Ervin endorsement

Ervin was appointed to the city council in 2018 as the Ward 4 City Councilor to fill a vacancy until the November 2018 Election. At the November election, he was elected to fill the remaining two years of the term. He was re-elected in November 2020 and again in November 2024 for two consecutive four-year terms. His current term expires in 2028.

He has also served on the budget committee since 2013 and, in 2017, was appointed its chair.

The cat was out of the bag; Ervin confirmed that he will be running for mayor in the upcoming election.

“I feel a deep duty, and there is excitement about a vision that I can’t shake for this town, one that I see prospering, one where community pulls together, one where we continue to honor the traditions of the All-American City, and have a place that our children want to and can build their own lives and families,” Ervin said.

“I appreciate serving alongside you, Mayor, for a lot of years, through a lot of seasons,” he said. “To the people of Cottage Grove, I appreciate your service, and love to see you working in your strengths, and I’m excited for what’s to come with the art that’s coming in many different forms.”

Ervin has lived in CG since 2012. According to his councilor biography, he values engaging with the community and continually looks for ways to improve the quality of life for present and future generations.

Since this was an endorsement, not a nomination, Ervin will still have to run in the November General Election. Anyone who lives inside city limits and is otherwise eligible to run can do so.

Two seats on the city council also expire in November, including Ward 1, held by Christine Hyink, and Ward 3, held by Dana Merryday. If interested in filing, contact Mindy Roberts at 541-767-4112. The filing period opens June 3. The filing deadline is Aug. 18 for incumbents and Aug. 25 for all other candidates