Madras is heading into a new era of city leadership. Unofficial election results from the November 3 ballot show Jennifer Townsend winning the city's mayoral race by a clear margin, positioning her to become Madras's next mayor once results are certified by the Jefferson County Clerk's office.
Townsend received 1,023 votes — 57.41% of ballots cast — compared to 743 votes (41.69%) for challenger Travis Montgomery. The gap has remained consistent since election night returns were first released, suggesting the outcome is unlikely to change as remaining ballots are counted and certified.
Opening Left by Lepin's Departure
The race opened when Mayor Mike Lepin announced he would not seek another term, ending his tenure at the helm of Madras city government. Both Townsend and Montgomery ran active campaigns centered on economic development, public safety, and community services — recurring themes for a city that continues to grow as the commercial and governmental hub of Jefferson County.
Townsend will now begin the process of preparing for her transition into office, working with outgoing administration officials to get up to speed on city operations, ongoing projects, and budget priorities heading into 2027.
Other Jefferson County Results
The Madras mayoral race was one of several items on Jefferson County's November ballot. Voters also weighed in on multiple Madras City Council seats and a Jefferson County jail levy. Full certified results are expected from the county clerk in the coming weeks.
The Madras Bulletin will follow the leadership transition as Townsend prepares to take office and outlines her vision for Madras going forward.