Jefferson County’s May 19 primary election wrapped up with both incumbent county commissioners advancing to November, while the high-profile sheriff’s race bypassed the primary process entirely and will be decided by all voters in the fall.
Commissioner Position 1: Wunsch Holds Off Curtiss
Incumbent Commissioner Mark Wunsch fended off challenger George Curtiss in a relatively comfortable margin for a contested primary. Wunsch carried approximately 59% of the vote to Curtiss’s 40%, with the remaining fraction going to write-ins. A third candidate, Tony Chard, had been expected to file but did not appear on the final ballot.
Wunsch has served on the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and has focused his campaign on county services, infrastructure, and rural economic development. Curtiss, a newer voice in county politics, had drawn attention to issues of governmental transparency and community engagement.
Because this is a nonpartisan county race and no candidate reached an outright majority against multiple opponents, Oregon law does not require a runoff; the top vote-getter in the primary advances directly to the November general election. Wunsch will face no major party opponent in November based on the primary outcome.
Commissioner Position 2: Simmelink Leads a Four-Way Field
Commissioner Kelly Simmelink, who has held the Position 2 seat since 2017, captured approximately 55% of the vote in a four-way primary, besting challengers Ara Erdekian, Greg Mead, and Bill Atherton. Simmelink’s incumbency and name recognition proved decisive against a fractured field of challengers.
Simmelink has been a visible voice on issues ranging from Pacific Power’s recent outages to Jefferson County’s long-term economic planning. He advances to November without a runoff opponent based on primary results.
Sheriff: Pollock vs. Anderson — Straight to November
Because only two candidates — incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock and former deputy Tyler Anderson — filed for the sheriff’s race, Oregon election law required no primary vote. The two will face each other directly in November.
The race has since become one of the most closely watched in the region. Anderson was fired from the Sheriff’s Office in April 2025 following an investigation, subsequently placed on Brady Lists by two district attorneys, and most recently saw a DPSST oversight committee recommend permanent revocation of his law enforcement certifications. Anderson has vowed to appeal and remain in the race.
Pollock, who has served as sheriff since 2022, has not commented extensively on the DPSST proceedings but has continued to carry out his duties while the legal process plays out.
What’s Next
The full DPSST board is scheduled to take a final vote on Anderson’s certifications at its July 21 meeting. That outcome could significantly reshape the November race. Voter registration and general election information will be available through the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office as the fall approaches.