Jefferson County voters had their say in the May 19 primary, and the results — now certified with all 17 precincts reporting — show a clean sweep for the county's two incumbent commissioners and a decisive defeat for a proposed library bond.

Commissioner Position 1: Wunsch Holds On

Incumbent Mark Wunsch won re-election to Commissioner Position 1 with 58.6 percent of the vote, collecting 3,614 votes to challenger George Curtiss' 2,497 (40.5 percent). Fifty-four ballots went to write-in candidates.

Curtiss mounted a credible challenge, but Wunsch's incumbency advantage proved decisive across the county's 17 precincts. Total votes cast in the race: 6,165.

Commissioner Position 2: Simmelink Leads Four-Way Field

Incumbent Kelly Simmelink, who has served on the commission since 2017, won the four-candidate field for Position 2 with 53.9 percent of the vote — 3,367 votes out of 6,275 cast.

Ara Erdekian finished second with 23.5 percent (1,479 votes), followed by Greg Mead at 15.3 percent (965 votes) and Bill Atherton at 6.9 percent (436 votes).

Because the commissioner races are nonpartisan, Simmelink and Wunsch's primary wins are effectively general election victories — no November runoff is required.

Library Bond Fails — Again

Voters rejected Measure 16-117, the Jefferson County Library District's general obligation bond proposal, by a wide margin: 3,525 No votes (65.8 percent) to 1,834 Yes votes (34.2 percent), out of 5,359 total ballots cast on the measure.

The bond would have funded construction of a new main library in Madras and a smaller branch facility in Culver. It is the second consecutive defeat for a library expansion measure in Jefferson County. Supporters will need to reassess the scope, cost, or community engagement strategy before bringing another measure to voters.

Camp Sherman Measures Both Pass

Two measures in the Camp Sherman area passed comfortably:

  • Measure 9-182 — Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District levy to fund fire, EMS, and wildfire preparedness staffing: 105 Yes, 55 No.
  • Measure 16-116 — Camp Sherman Road District 18 renewal of local option tax levy for five years: 130 Yes, 32 No.

Both measures passed with strong support among the smaller electorate in those districts.

Assessor Race

Ray Soliz ran unopposed for Jefferson County Assessor and received 4,028 votes, with 96 write-ins. Soliz will continue in the role going forward.

For complete certified results, visit the Oregon Secretary of State's elections portal at results.oregonvotes.gov.