Five candidates are running for three open city council seats in Stayton, including all three incumbents. The victors will be decided with the Nov. 8 general election.
As of the Aug. 30 filing deadline, incumbent councilors Jordan Ohrt, David Patty and Paige Hook were seeking new terms. They were joined by challengers Stephen Sims and David Giglio.
The three candidates with the most votes from the Nov. 8 ballot will win four-year terms on the council.
Jordan Ohrt
Ohrt is finishing her first term on the council after being elected as a political newcomer in 2018. She described herself as a Realtor, general contractor, landlord and mother, with a background including events coordinator, lifeguard and bartender.
She said her time on the council has been defined by crisis, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the 2020 wildfires to the 2021 ice storm. She said these incidents forced the city to “hit the pause button” on long-term goals and she wants to play a role as the city gets back on track.
Her specific goals as a councilor include investing in infrastructure, strengthening the economy, supporting public safety and cultivating public input.
“I care about what happens in Stayton and I am willing to put in the work to make a difference,” said Ohrt. “Looking back at the last four years, even if you haven’t agreed with all my decisions, I hope the community can see my heart–that I will stand up for what’s right even when it isn’t popular.”
David Patty
Patty was first elected in 2018 and has since served on the finance committee and the now-defunct Public Safety Commission. He also works in the Office of Training, Investigations and Safety for the Oregon Department of Human Resources.
Patty said he wants to prioritize infrastructure investments such as improvements to roads and the water system, with a goal of pursuing grant funding to lessen the burdens on local taxpayers. He also wants to support local law enforcement, including creating a school resource officer position, and new policies to minimize the impact of homelessness in the community.
“I would like the opportunity to continue serving Stayton to see many current projects through to completion and ensure they meet community needs and expectations,” said Patty. “I am a strong advocate for local control and would defer to the voters as much as possible.”
Patty spent 10 years in the military and has an education background in criminal justice and legal studies.
Paige Hook
Hook was first elected in 2018 after spending time on the Stayton Planning Commission. She is a mother, community activist, and in 2020 was the Democratic nominee for Oregon District 17 Representative, which went to Republican incumbent Rep. Jamie Cate that year.
She has served as a legislative administrator to lawmakers in Salem, using her background in criminal justice and psychology. She also spent time as office manager in the House Majority Office in the state legislature.
Her 2020 election website said she draws on her deep family roots in Linn County to serve the needs of her unique, rural community. By press time Our Town had not received a reply to a request for comment.
David Giglio
Giglio is a local business owner and youth pastor who was born and raised in Stayton and hopes to do the same with his young family. As CEO and general manager of Skyline Video Productions, and a pastor at Grace Bible Fellowship, Giglio said he is deeply invested in his community and wants to preserve its unique qualities for the benefit of others.
“I’m running to ensure Stayton is a thriving town where our values are celebrated, our kids are safe in the front yard, and our entrepreneurs can easily grow a business,” he said.
“I want to build on what’s best about our community and ensure Stayton is a place where our kids will want to raise their own families.”
Giglio has not held public office before, but did serve as a legislative intern for former Rep. Jodie Hack and was campaign field director for Marion County Commissioner Colm WIllis’ congressional campaign.
Giglio said, just like the Republican candidates he supported, he wants to encourage the conservative values he developed in Stayton.
“Our city government needs to be radically responsive to the priorities, values, and well-being of our local community – not the priorities of state government or partisan interests,” he said.
Stephen Sims
Sims is a retired U.S. Navy commander who wants to give back to the community where he was born and raised. His mother descends from the family of Drury Smith Stayton, the city’s namesake, and he wants to make sure the community remains “a wonderful place to call home.”
“I will support my community and strive for improvements to the best of my ability,” said Sims. “I will be honest and forthright and hope to gain the trust of the citizens of Stayton to vote for me.”
He said his goals include bolstering public safety, including showing support for the women and men working for the police department. He also wants to support small businesses and ensure the downtown core is able to thrive, while taking steps to ensure a growing population is able to support local school enrollment.
Sims currently serves on the Stayton Parks and Recreation Board and hopes to continue supporting parks projects while on the council
“Improving our already fabulous parks and continuing with the planning and funding of Mill Creek Park is extremely important to me and to a thriving community,” he said. “I want to see Stayton break ground on the new park in the next four years.”
