The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce Hosts Candidate Open Forum Tonight

Oct 5

Written By Columbia Community Connection

From The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce:
By Lynn Cox

The Dalles, Ore. Oct. 5, 2026 — The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Candidate Open Forum tonight, Monday, October 5, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center, 1112 W. 9th Street in The Dalles. Doors open to the public at 5:30 p.m.

The forum is free and open to the public and will bring together candidates seeking elected office at the city, county, and state levels who represent The Dalles and the surrounding area.

The Candidate Open Forum is designed to give community members an opportunity to hear directly from candidates in a consistent, nonpartisan setting and learn more about their perspectives on issues affecting the community and region.

Forum Format

Candidates running for the same office will be asked the same three questions and will receive the same amount of time to respond. Each candidate will have one minute to answer each question, with the speaking order rotating throughout the forum.

Questions were developed using submissions received through the Chamber's community question process, along with additional input intended to address issues relevant to each elected office.

There will not be questions taken from the audience during the forum. Candidates will have an opportunity to provide a brief closing statement, and community members are welcome to speak with candidates following the conclusion of the forum.

The forum will be facilitated by Mark Bailey.

Races Included in the Forum

Candidates were invited from the following races:

Wasco County Commissioner, Position #1
Wasco County Commissioner, Position #3
Oregon State Senator, District 26
Oregon State Representative, District 52
Oregon State Representative, District 57
City of The Dalles Mayor
City of The Dalles Councilor, Position #1
City of The Dalles Councilor, Position #3
Northern Wasco County People's Utility District
Chenowith Water People's Utility District
Wasco County Soil & Water Conservation District

Confirmed Candidates

As of October 5, the following candidates have confirmed their participation:

Wasco County Commissioner, Position #1

Lisa Gambee

John Grant

Wasco County Commissioner, Position #3

Mike Urness

Dick Schaffeld (Write-In)

Oregon State Senator, District 26

Nicole Bassett

Oregon State Representative, District 52

Hank Sanders

Scott Hege

Oregon State Representative, District 57

Greg Smith

Josiah Dean

City of The Dalles Mayor

Darcy Long

Joseph Slusher

Timothy McGlothlin

City of The Dalles Councilor, Position #1

Kim Morgan

Tristan Sheppard

City of The Dalles Councilor, Position #3

Scott Randall

Candidates in the Northern Wasco County PUD, Chenowith Water PUD and Wasco County Soil & Water Conservation District races were also invited to participate. Participation is subject to candidate confirmation and availability.

“The goal of the Candidate Open Forum is simple: to give our community an opportunity to hear directly from the people asking to represent them,” said Lynn Cox, President & CEO of The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce. “By providing candidates in each race with the same questions, the same response time and the same opportunity to participate, we hope to create an informative and respectful evening for both candidates and community members.”

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce does not endorse candidates. The Candidate Open Forum is intended to provide a welcoming, consistent and nonpartisan opportunity for community members to become better informed about the candidates seeking elected office.