Salem’s municipal government has formally asked Rep. Kevin Mannix’s campaign to stop using photographs of city employees in its election mailers. In a public statement released Friday, the city clarified that the images – which show three uniformed police and fire officials sitting beside the Republican candidate – were used without permission and do not represent an official endorsement.
City’s position on employee image use
The city’s legal department contacted the Mannix campaign after noticing the mailer, which was distributed to residents of Oregon House District 21. The statement said the three employees featured – Salem Fire Chief Dave Gerboth, Interim Police Chief Brandon Ditto, and Deputy Police Chief Treven Upkes – were unaware that their likenesses would appear in a political context.
“The City of Salem respects the right of individuals, including off‑duty employees, and organizations to participate in the political process,” the release read. “However, we recognize the importance of ensuring that campaign materials do not unintentionally create an impression that city employees, their departments, or the city itself endorse a particular candidate or political position.”
Details of the mailer
The contested mailer, paid for by Mannix for Oregon PAC, featured four photos at its bottom. The third photo displayed Mannix seated at a round table with the three city officials. All three were in uniform, which the city argued could give voters the false impression of official support.
City spokesperson Rob Layne told the Salem Reporter that the campaign did not request permission to use the images in this context, prompting the legal department’s intervention.
Political context
Rep. Mannix, the incumbent for House District 21 since 2022, is seeking re‑election on Nov. 3. He faces Democratic challenger Michael Welsh. The district includes parts of north Salem and Keizer. Mannix’s campaign website lists endorsements from the Salem Professional Firefighters Local 314 and the Salem Police Employees Union, underscoring the relevance of the employee images to his campaign narrative.
When contacted by the Salem Reporter, Mannix’s campaign did not respond to questions about the photo usage.
City’s broader stance on political participation
Salem’s statement reflects a broader municipal policy that city employees may engage in political activity on their own time, but city resources and official imagery must not be leveraged to suggest endorsement. This approach aligns with the city’s commitment to neutrality in elections while protecting the political rights of its workforce.
The city’s request is a reminder to all local campaigns that proper permission is required when using public‑employee images, especially when those individuals are in uniform and represent government services.
What’s next?
The Mannix campaign has not indicated whether it will revise the mailer or issue a new version without the city‑employee photos. The city’s legal team indicated it will monitor compliance and may pursue further action if the images continue to be used without authorization.
Voters in District 21 should expect to see updated campaign materials as the election approaches, and the city will continue to enforce its policy on the separation of public‑employee representation and partisan campaigning.
Original reporting: Salem Reporter — read the source article.
