Salem City Officials Urge Mannix to Stop Using Photos
The city contacted the campaign of Rep. Kevin Mannix after staff appeared in political mailers without their consent.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in City Hall
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The City of Salem has asked the campaign of Rep. Kevin Mannix to cease using images of city employees in political mailers. City officials stated that the use of these photos without permission could create a false impression of an official endorsement.
Why it matters
The city maintains a policy of neutrality and does not endorse candidates for elected office. Officials expressed concern that appearing in campaign materials compromises the perceived impartiality of city staff and the municipal government itself.
The mailer included 3 city employees and featured 4 total photos of Representative Kevin Mannix at public engagements. The images included Fire Chief Dave Gerboth, Interim Police Chief Brandon Ditto, and Deputy Police Chief Treven Upkes.
The players
Kevin Mannix
He is an incumbent currently serving in the Oregon House of Representatives for District 21.
Dave Gerboth
He serves as the Fire Chief for the City of Salem.
Brandon Ditto
He is the Interim Police Chief for the City of Salem.
Treven Upkes
He serves as the Deputy Police Chief for the City of Salem.
The details
The campaign mailer was funded by the Mannix for Oregon PAC and featured images of city leadership alongside the incumbent representative. The employees involved were reportedly unaware that their images would be utilized for political campaign purposes.
Timeline
Kevin Mannix began serving in his current role in 2022.
The city released a public statement regarding the mailer on October 24, 2026.
The upcoming election for Oregon House District 21 is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The city's move underscores a push to maintain institutional neutrality in an increasingly heated local election. Opposition groups often leverage such policy adherence to argue against the perceived misuse of municipal authority by incumbents.
Voters in House District 21 should be aware that the inclusion of city staff in campaign advertisements does not constitute an official endorsement by the City of Salem. This distinction helps residents clarify which materials represent government positions versus private candidate promotion.
The takeaway
Maintaining the separation between public service and political campaigning is a standard expectation for municipal employees. Residents are encouraged to verify candidate endorsements through official campaign channels rather than relying on imagery from public events.
Further reading
Learn more about local government operations and policies at City Hall.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Salem Reporter.
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Should political campaigns be restricted from using images of public employees in their campaign materials?
