Salem City Councilor Tom Andersen resigns to focus on campaign for Oregon's House District 19
Councilor Tom Andersen, of Ward 2 in south-central Salem, resigned Monday during the Salem City Council meeting to focus on his campaign for the state Legislature.
"It is so crucial to make sure we have a representative in the state capitol that has the city's interests at heart, and I am ready to dedicate myself to being that representative," he said.
Andersen told the Statesman Journal last year he was not seeking reelection and was instead running as a Democrat in the primary for the newly redistricted House District 19.
He won the primary in May and faces Republican T.J. Sullivan in November.
Linda Nishioka won an uncontested race to represent Ward 2 and was scheduled to replace Andersen in January. The Salem City Council voted Monday to have her sworn in Aug. 15 instead.
House District 19 has been a stronghold of Republicans for more than two decades, but district boundary changes have moved the more conservative areas of Turner, Aumsville and neighbors east of Salem into other districts.
According to the new legislative maps, House District 19 is now comprised of neighbors in Andersen's Ward 2, South Salem and southeast Salem.
Andersen said he typically put in more than 30 hours of unpaid work on city and council business.
Andersen, who also works full-time as an attorney, said campaigning was taking up more and more of his time as election day nears.
Andersen said he is confident he is leaving Ward 2 in Nishioka's capable hands and looks forward to representing Salem in the Legislature.
Nishioka said she wants to hit the ground running.
Her key priorities once in office will be ending homelessness, supporting responsible development, preserving parks and greenspace, investing in sidewalks, crosswalks and bikeways, and helping downtown thrive. She said she believes her mission to represent all facets of the city regardless of partisan politics is why she ran unopposed.
Mayor Chuck Bennett and several councilors thanked Andersen for his service and collaboration on council.
Council president and Mayor-elect Chris Hoy said he appreciated Andersen's years of mentorship and experience.
"I just wanted to thank you for your work on behalf of the residents of Ward 2 and for the entire city," Hoy said. "I know we're all better off because of your service."
Andersen was first elected to city council in 2014 after winning more than 50% of the vote in a three-way race. He won reelection in 2018. His term was set to expire on Dec. 31.
Often spotted sporting a bow tie and cycling downtown and around Bush's Pasture Park, Andersen was a longtime advocate for safe bike routes, addressing climate change and social justice.
When he was elected, he said he was the only progressive on the council. Now, he said, the council has a progressive majority and sees the city moving in a positive direction.
In his time representing Ward 2, Andersen said he's worked to craft a Climate Action Plan and measures to build a new police station and seismically safe library.
"I'm proud of the work I've done on the council," Andersen said, adding that he appreciated the hard work of city staff and collaboration with other councilors, even if they didn't always see eye-to-eye on issues.
He pointed to recent work done to support the creation of more affordable housing and micro shelters to address the housing crisis and homelessness.
"I put my heart and soul into this for eight years," Andersen said. "I'm sad to leave, but I know it's time to leave."
For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem City Councilor Tom Andersen resigns to focus on campaign
