Meet the Candidates: Newberg’s 2026 Mayor and Council Races 

NEWBERG, Ore. — Newberg voters will elect a mayor and three city councilors in the Nov. 3 general election. 

Mayor Bill Rosacker, elected to his first term in November 2022, faces a challenge from District 1 Councilor Elise Yarnell Hollamon, who would forgo more than two years remaining on her council term if she wins the mayor’s race.

Councilor Peggy Kilburg did not file for reelection, leaving the District 2 seat open to newcomers Britta Mansfield and Leisha Adams. 

Councilor Robyn Wheatley, first elected in 2022, faces challenger Larry Hampton in District 4. 

Councilor Derek Carmon, also first elected in 2022, is running unopposed in District 6. All four offices carry four-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2027, though council candidates must live in the district they represent, all seats are elected citywide.

Dundee city councilors Bryan Weil, David Hinson, Storr Nelson and Mayor David Ford are running unopposed, according to the City of Dundee website. 

To help voters compare candidates ahead of Election Day, Newsberg sent each of the seven a written questionnaire asking about their background, the issue they see as most pressing for Newberg, and how they would want their performance judged after one term. Their answers are reproduced below exactly as submitted, without editing. Candidate responses were limited to 150 words per question.

The Yamhill County Voter’s Guide was not published as of press time, so candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. 

Newberg Mayor

Bill Rosacker

Background: “I have lived in—and loved—this community since 1964. Newberg has shaped my life, my work, and my values. For the past four years, I’ve had the honor of serving as your mayor. I am not a politician. I stepped forward because I saw our city divided by the partisan politics of the prior council, and I learned they were preparing to allow “car camping” in Newberg. I knew our community could do better.

I also saw that permit fees—our SDCs—had become punitive, preventing small businesses from leasing downtown commercial space and slowing revitalization. I believed Newberg deserved leadership focused on practical solutions, not political division. So I stepped into the arena.”

Top issue: “The high cost of living — especially housing — continues to challenge our community. Working with our excellent city manager, we implemented a debt-reduction plan to bring down water-utility costs. Through careful stewardship, we paid off the first portion of that debt early, and residents saw a small reduction in their water bills in July.

With the support of several community and business leaders, I helped create a supportive housing program designed to help working people move toward purchasing market-rate homes — SPARK Newberg. I also supported the “No Tax Oregon” initiative, and I will continue taking reasonable, responsible cost-saving measures wherever possible.”

One-term goal: “I hope that the residents are saying; Mayor Bill has proven to be non-partisan. He has followed through to systematically reduce the cost of living in our amazing community. He obviously loves this community and the citizens. I hope that he will continue these efforts as mayor for the next four years.”

Elise Yarnell Hollamon

Background: “I love Newberg. I’ve built my life and raised my family here, and for eight years I’ve served this community on the City Council, including as Council President. I know how our city works and what it takes to move priorities forward.

My experience extends beyond City Hall. I’ve spent my career in executive leadership, healthcare administration, nonprofit leadership and public affairs, and I’m a small business owner. I’ve led large teams and managed budgets exceeding $100 million, making difficult decisions and being accountable for results.

I understand the Mayor’s role: set the vision, build consensus, represent Newberg and forge relationships that deliver results.

Most importantly, leadership requires conviction and humility — the ability to listen, learn and change your mind when someone brings a perspective you hadn’t considered.

I know Newberg, I know the work, and I believe better is possible.”

Top issue: “The most pressing issue facing Newberg is affordability — and local government needs to take responsibility for the costs we can actually influence.

My first priority will be bringing Dundee, Dayton and regional partners together to address long-term water infrastructure, with the goal of significantly reducing water rates without raising taxes. We should explore sharing costs, combining resources and competing together for state and federal funding rather than assuming Newberg must finance everything alone.

We also need living-wage jobs back in Newberg. I’ll work to bring key employment land, particularly the former mill property, back online so we can compete for employers; use available urban renewal resources to address development barriers; review our zoning code; and strengthen our partnership with PCC Newberg around career technical education and regional workforce training.

Affordability should be the test: Are we keeping taxes low and reducing the costs we can influence?”

One-term goal: “The Mayor doesn’t lead a side. The Mayor leads Newberg.

The Mayor’s office sets the tone for the city, and I want that tone to begin with respect. Leadership isn’t about being liked or winning every argument. It’s respecting people enough to genuinely consider their perspective — especially when it challenges your own — and ensuring every person is treated with dignity even when we disagree.

I’ve served through deeply divided years in Newberg and learned how to lead through conflict without allowing conflict to become the work. I can disagree with someone, respect where they’re coming from, find common ground and keep working toward an outcome that serves our community.

After one term, I want residents to say, “I didn’t always agree with her, but she respected and considered me. My voice mattered, and she worked for all of us.”

I will be the Mayor of we, not me.”

City council, District 2 (open seat)

Leisha Adams

Background: “Newberg is the community my family has called home for at least seven generations, and it’s the place that raised me. In my 20s I moved abroad to East Africa, where I built my career managing, monitoring and auditing non-profits. Now I am a Finance Analyst for Yamhill County offering to turn those skills toward Newberg’s budget, utility rates and planning. I want to give back to the community where I’m raising my children.”

Top issue: “Most of us are struggling to keep up with our bills. The City Council can’t do everything, but one thing they can affect is the water bill. How can we pay less each month for water while still catching up with necessary maintenance? Get more customers to share the costs.”

One-term goal: “Leisha helped me understand what my city taxes pay for and why.”

Britta Mansfield

Background: “My background is in nonprofit management and public history. I began my career in Newberg at the Hoover-Minthorn House Museum and now get to work with cities up and down the Willamette River through my role as the Executive Director of the Willamette Falls & Landings Heritage Area Coalition. My professional experience has been excellent preparation for serving on City Council. I am deeply familiar with Newberg and its history and have also had a chance to see how other cities operate. I regularly present at city council meetings and work with individual councilors. The Coalition is working to become a National Heritage Area, a program that requires Congressional approval, so I have become familiar with all levels of government. Working for and serving on various boards has given me experience collaborating with diverse groups of people who are working towards a common goal.”

Top issue: “The most pressing issue facing Newberg right now is a lack of civility. City councils should be focused on local issues. Newberg has some major capital improvement projects coming up and needs to be seriously planning for the future. Recently, I’ve noticed a lack of civility between council members, and between council and the public, that seem to distract from topics on which our local government should be focused. I plan to earnestly listen to the community while working to keep council focused on areas where it can actually affect change. Local issues should not be dictated by mainstream party politics. Everyone deserves to be heard when council is planning major road improvements, building new water treatment facilities, and working to keep long-term transportation costs down. I am committed to taking a Newberg focused approach to decision making and including citizen input as early as possible in planning processes.”

One-term goal: “I want residents to be able to say that I have represented Newberg well. I want to be a trusted community leader who brings balance and respect to local government. I am committed to being accessible and approachable so people know their city government is striving to serve them well. Newberg is a great place to grow and I want to help set it up to thrive for generations to come.”

City council, District 4

Larry Hampton

Background: “I have lived my entire life in Newberg. I attended Newberg schools, and for the past 35 years, I have worked in Newberg schools, and volunteered for various organizations (including school athletics, Habitat for Humanity, Kiwanis, churches, city committees, and the Friendsview Board). As a school and district level administrator for over 30 years, I worked with students, parents, CPRD and city officials, and the general public to make schools more accessible (physically and academically), and to listen to what people need and want in their lives. I like to think that I have brought empathy and compassion to each conversation and interaction. I have built trust in relationships, and have stood firmly for the values I hold.”

Top issue: “For want of a better term, I will say that affordability is the most pressing issue for Newberg at this time. Affordability encompassing not just the price of gas and groceries (which the City Council is hard pressed to remedy), but the price of housing – buying or renting, and the availability of living wage jobs. It also includes the cost of city utilities, and the cost to build (a new house, addition, ADU, or other structure).

For housing, I will look at the costs and limitations that the city imposes, and work to provide more flexibility. I will work to leverage city funds and resources to encourage the construction of more affordable options. I believe that Newberg should pursue partnerships with other cities nearby to seek more affordable and sustainable utilities (water, waste water, etc.). Newberg lacks adequate land for industrial and commercial growth. Growth that could ease the tax burden of home owners. I will strongly pursue an expansion of the available industrial and commercial land, and the development of the land we already have available (the old mill property).”

One-term goal: “I would hope people would say that I did what I said I would do, and that I listened, and adjusted based on what I heard from the community.”

Robyn Wheatley (incumbent)

Background: “I have served Newberg as an elected city councilor for nearly 4 years, so I am the best prepared for this role from experience. I grew up in the Newberg/Dundee area and raised my family here. I have lived in this community for most of my life. I am a mother of 4 children. Raising a large family makes a woman very aware of the quality of the community and where she wants to raise her family. I work hard as your current city councilor to ensure Newberg is affordable, safe, and livable because I not only want that for my family, but yours. I am a small business owner. Running my own business makes me acutely aware of what customers want, what they buy, and their feedback. If you want a successful business, you have to listen to the customer and pivot as needed. This is exactly how I serve as a city councilor. What does the customer (citizen want/need)? How can I provide it? Am I providing it well or do I need to make improvements? I hold myself accountable to my customers and Newberg citizens because I want success.”

Top issue: “We have solved so many problems and made life more affordable, livable, and safer in Newberg during my first term as city councilor. Honestly the most pressing issue is who will be elected to this council in November? Will they continue to keep rate increases low, pay off debt, and be as fiscally responsible as this council has been? Or will they delve into divisive social issues and partisan politics that divide and cost the citizens more money like previous councils? Newberg is being run better than it has been in a long time because we are focusing on real issues that citizens and businesses face. By re electing me I will continue the positive momentum by prioritizing paving roads, paying off debt to lower bills, making sure the police department has the funding they need to keep us safe, ensuring local businesses flourish to keep citizens employed, prioritizing enough clean water, and attracting family wage jobs to town. I will focus on real issues that city government actually has control over.”

One-term goal: “Robyn has accomplished all her campaign promises in her first term as city councilor. She made the city of Newberg a better place to live and grow. She does what she says she is going to do. She genuinely cares about the people who live and work here. She always responds to emails and makes herself available to citizens and business owners. She always shows up ready to serve.”

City council, District 6 (unopposed)

Derek Carmon (incumbent)

Background: “I have been a police officer for almost 27 years, where I have served in many different assignments, to include managing a million dollar budget. My current assignment is as a Sergeant for patrol and for our Crisis Negotiation Team. Prior to that I served in the United States Navy as an Intelligence Specialist. The most important experience came in the last 3.5 years while serving as a current city councilor, former NURA Chair, and current Council President.”

Top issue: “I believe the most pressing issue facing Newberg right now is maintaining our quality of life and affordability while responsibly managing growth.

Newberg is growing, and that growth brings opportunities, but it also puts pressure on the infrastructure. We need to fund this infrastructure, while at the same time families are dealing with higher costs of living.

If reelected, I would want to make sure we have a continued long-term infrastructure and financial plan with an eye on growth and the cost that it requires. We should be working with regional partners as we also pursue state and federal grants and avoid putting unnecessary costs on existing residents.”

One-term goal: “That I was responsive to the community, while keeping a laser focus in the goals set for the city those within our purview. I was available to listen, engage in difficult conversations, and do my best to make unbiased decisions that worked best for everyone in the community.”

Voters must register by Oct. 13 to participate in the election, either online through Oregon’s My Vote system at oregonvotes.gov, by mail, or in person; mailed registration forms must be postmarked that day, according to Yamhill County Elections.

Ballots go out first to military and overseas voters on Sept. 18, with absentee ballots available starting Sept. 21 and ballots mailed to out-of-state voters on Oct. 5. The county begins mailing ballots to all other registered voters and opens official drop sites on Oct. 14. The elections office’s final day to mail absentee, reissued or replacement ballots is Oct. 29. Election Day is Nov. 3, when the Yamhill County Elections Office will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; ballots must be postmarked or delivered to an official drop site by 8 p.m. that day to count.

Learn more at the Yamhill County Elections page.