Built on Experience. Focused on the Future.
Practical leadership for McMinnville.
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Focused on What Matters
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Housing We Can Afford
A Strong, Local Economy
Responsible Growth & Infrastructure
A Vibrant, Livable McMinnville
Public Safety & Strong Neighborhoods
McMinnville needs more housing at every price point. We need to make it easier to build homes, expand housing options, and pursue practical solutions that allow working families, seniors, and young people to remain part of our community.
A healthy community needs a healthy economy. McMinnville should support local businesses, attract investment, and create an environment where employers can find and retain workers. Housing, jobs, and economic vitality are connected.
Growth is coming. The question is whether we manage it thoughtfully or react to it after the fact. We need to plan for roads, utilities, parks, public services, and development while protecting the character and livability that make McMinnville special.
Our downtown, neighborhoods, parks, schools, and public spaces are part of what makes McMinnville a great place to live. We should continue investing in the community while making sure those investments deliver real value for residents and businesses.
Everyone deserves to feel safe at home and in their community. McMinnville should support effective police, fire, and emergency services while addressing property crime, traffic safety, and neighborhood livability. Carson believes public safety requires both compassion and accountability.
The Math Has Changed
In 1992, Carson bought his first home
He was earning $20,000/year at Evergreen
The house cost $55,000
That was about 2.75 times his annual income
Today, the average McMinnville resident
earns about $73,700/year
A median-priced home sells for about $460,500
That is about 6.25 times the annual income
Today, buying a home is a very different equation for McMinnville families. And solving our housing challenges will take more than one approach.
Carson believes we need every tool available — more housing choices, better use of the land we already have, responsible planning for future growth, and fewer unnecessary costs and barriers to building.
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I'm In
Rooted in McMinnville
Carson Benner has spent decades leading businesses, managing complex projects, and serving the McMinnville community.
As the owner of Cellar Ridge Construction, Carson understands both the challenges and the rewards of running a small business. He knows what it means to create jobs, manage rising costs, make difficult decisions, and be responsible for the people who depend on your business. He also knows the satisfaction that comes from building something of your own, supporting a team, and contributing to the community you call home. Through his work in construction, he sees firsthand the challenges facing housing and development in McMinnville.
His experience also includes managing significant budgets and operations at Evergreen International Airlines and years of service to McMinnville's schools, nonprofits, and economic-development organizations.
Today, Carson serves Ward 3 on the McMinnville City Council. He's running to continue that work with practical experience, thoughtful decision-making, and a willingness to listen.