Yes, the November 3rd election is approaching, and for us, that means checking Oregon’s campaign finance records.
At the end of the day, these are just people supporting other people, which we can all support.
But we can also report.
These figures show fundraising amounts and some gaps among Corvallis City Council candidates, with Ward 1 candidate Steve Clark reporting the largest total of the committees reviewed.
The amounts should not amount to that much. A lot of it depends on demographics, geography, ward size, and maybe… who you know. The “who you know” part does end up getting a little bit interesting. If you actually get to the end of this campaign.
Steve Clark’s campaign reported $25,575.81 in total contributions for 2026, followed by Ward 1 opponent Bre Irish at $6,615. So Ward 1 had both of the two highest receivers of campaign donations.
The next highest reported totals were Danielle Chambers in Ward 7 at $2,542.50 and Alexis Hammer in Ward 9 at $2,200, then the amounts fall off dramatically, or there are no reported contributions for the candidate.
Those figures reflect contributions reported to the Oregon Secretary of State’s ORESTAR campaign finance database as of October 23rd, 2026. ORESTAR is not an account of everything a candidate may have received.
Also, ORESTAR’s “Total Contributions” incorporates noncash contributions, such as donated goods or services, and nonexempt loans received.
It’s the individual transaction records that offer another view of the election. You know… who is contributing.
We picked out three contributors, all of whom illustrate a different connection to local public life: a homebuilder, a downtown developer, and an attorney whose own campaign for judicial office drew some scrutiny earlier this year.
Pete Slayden, president of Slayden Homes, contributed $3,000 to Clark’s campaign on August 17th. The Crescent Heights at Timberhill development identifies him as its builder. This contribution places a local housing construction business among one of Clark’s larger individual supporters.
Brian Obie, heard that name before? You should have. Brian is the president of Obie Companies, and he contributed $1,000 to Clark on September 29th. The Eugene-based company is developing the Gordon Hotel and Residences at First Street and Madison Avenue downtown.
Both of these transactions were reported as individual contributions. The filings do identify the donor’s business affiliations, but the contributions should not automatically be attributed to their companies.
The third donor we thought was of interest is Michael Flinn, who contributed $500 to Irish’s campaign on September 4th. His ORESTAR filing lists his occupation as lawyer… and his employer as Miller Castleton & Flinn in Albany.
Heard that name before?
Mike Flinn ran for Benton County Circuit Court judge, District 21, Position 3, in the May 19th primary. His voter pamphlet statement described a career divided between 15 years as a deputy district attorney and 15 years in the private sector, with experience in civil, criminal, family, and juvenile law.
Flinn lost to Yema Measho in the election and finished second in the three-candidate race.
These contribution filings all establish payment, date, and the donor’s reported occupation and employer. And that is all they establish.
They serve as a small but interesting snapshot of financial support across the council races: a homebuilder, a developer, and an attorney who ran for circuit court judge… with some controversy.
At the end of the day, these are just people supporting other people, which we can all support. Right?
This article was written by Jesse Grant, a contributor to The Corvallis Inquirer. Feel free to send us your stories to publish at: editor@corvallisnow.com
More recent stories:
→ Donate
We’ll still keep it ad-free and paywall-free even if you don’t. 100% of donations go to expanding local reporting, giving back to community causes, and minor operating expenses. Read more about our values and mission here.
Do you have a story for The Inquirer? Email: editor@corvallisnow.com
The current City Council and Mayor have been very disappointing. I did not vote for any of them.