Jefferson County voters handed both incumbent commissioners decisive primary victories on May 20, while sending a clear message to library advocates: the county is not ready to take on major new debt.
Position 1: Wunsch Defeats Curtiss
Commissioner Mark Wunsch, the current Commission Chair, turned back challenger George Curtiss with approximately 58.6 percent of the vote. Curtiss, who grew up in Crooked River Ranch and mounted a community-focused campaign, received roughly 40 percent.
Wunsch has served on the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and touted his experience managing county finances and infrastructure. Because he ran in a contested race with only two candidates, Wunsch's primary win secures his position — no November runoff is needed for non-partisan county races where a candidate clears 50 percent.
Position 2: Simmelink Clears a Crowded Field
Commissioner Kelly Simmelink, who has served since 2017, faced a three-candidate field: Ara Erdekian, Greg Mead, and Bill Atherton. She won with approximately 54 to 55 percent of the vote. Erdekian was the closest challenger, receiving around 24 percent.
Simmelink's broad margin in a four-way race demonstrates significant incumbent support across the county. Like Wunsch, her primary victory is decisive.
Library Bond Rejected
The most striking result of the night was the defeat of the Jefferson County Library District's bond measure, which asked voters to approve $22.5 million to fund a brand-new library building in Madras and a smaller satellite facility in Culver. The bond failed with approximately 66 percent of voters saying no.
It was not the first time the library has been turned down by voters — a similar bond effort failed in 2025. Library advocates had hoped updated plans and a revised price tag might swing opinion, but the result was decisive.
The failure leaves the Jefferson County Library, located in downtown Madras, without a path to expansion in the near term. Library leadership has not yet announced plans to bring the measure back to voters in a future election.
What's Next
With the commissioner races settled, attention in Jefferson County shifts to the November general election — specifically the contested sheriff's race between incumbent Jason Pollock and Tyler Anderson, whose law enforcement credentials were permanently revoked by state authorities in May. That race will be the defining local contest of fall 2026.
Filing for the November election for Madras City Council and mayor is also open, according to the city's website, giving community members an opportunity to shape Madras' next chapter of leadership.