Nine candidates vying for three Hillsboro City Council seats will appear before voters Thursday, Oct. 8, at Brookwood Library in the only scheduled in-person forum before ballots hit mailboxes.

The event runs 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 2850 N.E. Brookwood Parkway. Washington County begins mailing ballots Wednesday, Oct. 14, less than a week later. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The forum is not a traditional debate. Candidates will introduce themselves and explain why they are running, according to the Hillsboro News Times, which first reported the event details. A City of Hillsboro spokesperson said the library is hosting the forum because civic engagement fits its mission as a trusted public resource.

All three races are contested. Although candidates run by ward, every seat is elected at-large, so all nine names will appear on every Hillsboro ballot.

Ward 1, Position A has the largest field, according to candidate filings reported by the News Times in August: Luis Garcia, a data consultant; Diana Jackson, a legal assistant with experience on the Hillsboro Planning Commission; and Sarah Marugg, a revenue and tax specialist. Councilor Cristian Salgado, appointed to the seat in January 2025 after former Councilor Beach Pace was elected mayor, rounds out the race.

Ward 2, Position A features Karim Delgado, a bar owner and Marine Corps veteran, against Ivette Pantoja, cofounder of Brian Rose School and a current Hillsboro School District board member. The seat is open because Councilor Kipperlyn Sinclair is on the November ballot for the District 4 seat on the Washington County Board of Commissioners.

Ward 3, Position A draws Kimberly Culbertson, a retired banking professional who chaired Hillsboro's Community Participation Organization 9 (CPO 9); Dorian Russell, executive director of HomePlate Youth Services; and Titonian Wallace Sr., who works in digital marketing. Councilor Olivia Alcaire is term-limited and cannot run again.

Spanish-language interpretation will be available at the event. Residents who need interpretation in another language or accessibility support can call the library at 503-615-6500.

Tualatin Valley Community Television (TVCTV) will record the forum. The video will be posted to the Hillsboro Public Library's YouTube channel by Monday, Oct. 12.

The event will not be livestreamed.