Decision 2026: Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler to run for reelection
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler announced Monday, June 8th, that she will seek re-election for a second term in November 2026. Kebler says she is campaigning to continue her leadership and advance progress on housing, homelessness, public safety, and infrastructure improvements.
Kebler is completing her first term as mayor, having been first elected to the Bend City Council in 2020 before voters elected her mayor in 2022. She states her re-election will provide tested and trusted leadership, aiming to protect the city's progress and keep Bend on track for housing affordability and smart planning.
Mayor Kebler emphasized her commitment to Bend's future in a statement. "I'm honored to have spent the past four years leading the City Council and getting results for Bend," Kebler said. "I'm running for another term as mayor to provide tested and trusted leadership in this pivotal moment. We must protect the progress we've made as a city from federal chaos, and keep Bend on track toward housing affordability and smart planning. I'm excited to lead our continued progress on housing, homelessness, public safety, and infrastructure improvements that are creating a better Bend for everyone."
During her current term, Kebler's administration has worked to reverse a decade-long trend of growing homelessness. This includes significantly reducing unsheltered homelessness in 2025 through investments in shelter and safe parking options. The city also created its first Navigation Center and collaborated with service providers to help hundreds of people transition to more secure housing.
In terms of housing affordability, Kebler's leadership saw rent increases flatten and median home prices turn a corner. The city achieved this by building more homes and investing over $15 million into income-restricted affordable housing. Additionally, permitting processes were streamlined, code changes implemented to allow more housing types, and new complete neighborhoods were planned with required percentages of affordable housing. As a result, Bend leads the state in both market rate and income-restricted homes produced per capita.
Public safety initiatives under Kebler's term include a significant reduction in police response to mental health calls through collaboration with the Deschutes County crisis response team. Concurrently, police resources were increased to address drunk driving and serious crime. The fire department maintained award-winning response times and cardiac survival rates while taking steps to provide more efficient services and cut overtime costs.
Kebler also secured over $60 million in federal grants and earmarks. These funds are designated to improve Bend's transportation system, update water infrastructure, enhance permitting processes, and create more affordable housing. Furthermore, local roads were paved, sealed, and swept, and projects from the 2020 GO Bond list, such as intersection improvements, new roundabouts, and safer infrastructure for people who walk and bike, were completed.
The mayor has garnered support from various local leaders. Congresswoman Janelle Bynum praised Kebler's dedication. "Mayor Kebler understands the needs of her community and has a proven track record fighting for real results for Bend's working families. She is the collaborative, forward-looking leader Bend needs," Bynum said.
State Senator Anthony Broadman highlighted Kebler's effectiveness in securing resources. "I've seen first hand how hard Mayor Kebler works for Bend, and how effective she is in Salem at bringing home the resources and policy changes that the city needs to make progress on some of our toughest issues. The people of Bend should be proud to re-elect their very own Bend High grad to another term as Mayor," Broadman stated. Kebler graduated from Bend High in 2001.
Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang noted Kebler's collaborative approach. "Re-electing Mayor Kebler will ensure Bend and Deschutes County continue to make progress on homelessness, housing, wildfire preparedness, and more. She has built important relationships with local leaders across the political spectrum to create positive change for our community," Chang said.
Former Bend Mayor Sally Russell expressed her full support. "Bend has seen solid leadership under Mayor Kebler. Bend and our region will benefit under her continued leadership the next four years. I fully support her re-election," Russell said. Another former mayor, Casey Roats, emphasized Kebler's steadiness. "Under Mayor Kebler's leadership, our local government has stayed strong and sound through the chaos and divisiveness coming out of DC. We need Mayor Kebler at the helm to navigate our toughest issues, create collaborative solutions, and stand up for our democracy. She has my vote," Roats stated.
Kebler has secured endorsements from a wide range of officials, including Representative Emerson Levy, Representative Jason Kropf, Deschutes County Commissioners-Elect Jamie Collins and Rick Russell, Bend Mayor Pro Tem Megan Perkins, and Bend City Councilors Steve Platt, Mike Riley, Megan Norris, and Ariel Méndez. Other supporters include Bend School Board Chair Marcus LeGrand, Bend Parks Board Chair Donna Owens, Vice Chair Cary Schneider, COCC Board Chair Erica Skatvold, COCC Board Vice Chair and former Bend Police Chief Jim Porter, former State Representative Judy Stiegler, former District Attorney Mike Dugan, former Bend Mayor Gena Goodman-Campbell, former Bend City Councilor Mark Capell, and former Parks Board Member Zavi Borja. Kebler will be seeking additional endorsements.
Before her mayoral term, Kebler worked as a prosecutor and a crime victims rights attorney. She currently serves as a board member for the League of Oregon Cities and has been an appointed member of Oregon’s Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability since 2019. Kebler lives in southeast Bend with her daughter. She plans to engage with the community during her campaign. "In my time as mayor I've learned to listen to all voices, not just those I agree with," Kebler said. "I look forward to engaging with people all across Bend in this campaign."
Voters interested in learning more about Mayor Kebler and her priorities can visit melaniekebler.com.
