HERMISTON, Ore.-The community had the opportunity to hear from Hermiston City Council candidates at a forum at City Hall on April 16.
The forum, hosted by the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, the City of Hermiston and KOHU 1360, provided candidates with the opportunity to share their views on multiple issues and topics with the community ahead of the May 19 election.
All four Hermiston City Council Ward positions are on the ballot in May, with two candidates vying for each seat.
Incumbent Jackie Linton is facing challenger Krista Van Veen in Ward 1, while Caleb Jacobs is challenging incumbent Roy Barron in Ward 2.
Jackie Meyers is not seeking re-election in Ward 3, and Barbara Martin and Leeann Wornell are contesting for the vacant seat, while in Ward 4 incumbent David McCarthy is facing challenger Manuel Flores III.
All eight candidates were invited to the forum, however, Flores III was unable to attend.
Angela Pursel of KOHU 1360 moderated the forum, posing a variety of questions, to which candidates had an equal amount of time to share their views.
Questions ranged from what each candidate considered the most important role of a City Council member, to what the City Council’s role in controlling growth and change in Hermiston should be, to water supply and usage in the area concerning larger industries and data centers.
Candidates were also asked their ideas for creating new sources of revenue, what needs additional attention if new resources were available, and ultimately what their visions for Hermiston 2040 are.
The Candidates
Krista Van Veen
Van Veen moved to Hermiston five years ago with her husband to be closer to family and grandchildren. Her professional background has focused on financial oversight, planning and accountability, and she has volunteered extensively.
“That experience reinforced something I’ve always believed,” said Van Veen in her opening remarks at the forum. “Civic responsibility goes beyond voting, it means volunteering, supporting local businesses, and stepping forward if you feel called to serve.”
Van Veen owns The Good Ledger bookkeeping service in Hermiston, and as a small business owner is dedicated to mentoring and helping other women business owners thrive.
“I’m running for city council because I care deeply about maintaining a safe community, supporting local businesses, encouraging civic participation, and planning thoughtfully for Hermiston’s future,” said Van Veen.
Jackie Linton
Linton was elected to City Council in 2022 and has long been involved in the community, with an extensive background in volunteering and activism, including at the Hermiston warming station (now Stepping Stones Alliance), she has also served on the City of Hermiston budget and urban renewal committees, as well as the accountability and library board, among other volunteer efforts.
“It has been my great pleasure representing and serving the citizens of Hermiston,” Linton said in her opening remarks. “Why are we so passionate about Hermiston? It is in my blood. My family moved here over seventy years ago, and it is my home. We want to be a part of this continued growth, development and success. We put every part of our being into making tough decisions, to fight for the citizens of Hermiston, and to ensure Hermiston’s success.”
Caleb Jacobs
Jacobs is running in Ward 2 on a platform of public safety and addressing the homelessness situation in Hermiston.
“Pretty much what I want to do for the City is to help fix the homeless situation and make the parks and everything safer,” said Jacobs.
Roy Barron
Barron, a two-time City Councilor who grew up in Idaho and moved to Hermiston after college, is running to retain his seat in Ward 2 and would be the most senior member of the City Council if elected, after the retirement of Jackie Myers.
“I will be the most senior councilor bringing the most institutional knowledge that we’ve had in the city in the past couple years,” Barron said in his opening remarks. “I believe with knowledge and strong leadership that I can provide guidance to the City Council.”
Barbara Martin
Martin, a healthcare professional at Balanced Chiropractic and Massage, who owns and operates Deeply Kneaded Therapeutics in Hermiston, is running against Leeann Wornell in Ward 3.
“In my daily work I connect with members of our community every day, and through that work I have firsthand experience of the strengths that our city offers and also the challenges that people are facing,” Martin said in her opening statement. “I’m running for city council because I care about keeping Hermiston a strong, connected, safe, practical place to live and work. I believe in being accessible, listening well, and making thoughtful decisions that reflect our community.”
Leeann Wornell
Wornell has a background in government, including working for the Oregon Employment Department as an Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, and she currently works for the labor union for government workers in the region.
“I’m a member of the community, and I should be engaged in it, and this is one of the highest forms of engagement,” said Wornell. “I wanted the opportunity to connect with all of you and have a voice to elevate yours.”
David McCarthy
McCarthy has served three separate terms as President of the Kiwanis, is a past President of the Hermiston Chamber, and has long been involved in community events, including hosting Melon Fest.
“I’m trying to be present, trying to be where people are and just trying to bring a little fun, a little excitement, that’s one of the reasons I’m doing this again,” said McCarthy. “Enough people reached out, enough people said, ‘David, you show up and I’d like to see you keep doing that and see what else we can contribute,’ I hope to hear more from you guys as I continue to represent you into the next four years.”
The 2026 Hermiston City Council Candidate Forum was also streamed through Hermiston’s YouTube channel and is available to view for those interested in the candidates’ full responses to all questions.
More information on the May 19 Primary Election is available online at Hermiston.gov/elections.
