Jefferson County’s two incumbent county commissioners swept their primary races on May 19, securing their positions heading into fall. Meanwhile, a bond measure that would have built a new public library for the county was rejected by roughly two-thirds of voters.

Commissioner Position 1: Wunsch Defeats Curtiss

Incumbent Mark Wunsch won the Position 1 race with approximately 58.6% of the vote, defeating challenger George Curtiss, who received 40.5%. Final certified vote tallies show Wunsch receiving 3,600 votes to Curtiss’s 2,493.

Wunsch, who has focused his tenure on public safety and transportation, spoke during the campaign about the need to continue building up the Sheriff’s Office. “We’ve been able to add five officers to the team in the last three and a half years and I want that to improve,” he said at a candidate forum at the Madras Performing Arts Center. “We have a lot of nasty crime going on across the county when it comes to domestic violence, child sex crimes — we need to be proactive.”

Commissioner Position 2: Simmelink Holds Off Three Challengers

Incumbent Kelly Simmelink, who has served as commissioner since 2017, won the crowded Position 2 field with 53.9% of the vote. Her three challengers were Ara Erdekian (23.5%), Greg Mead (15.3%), and Bill Atherton (6.9%).

Simmelink emphasized economic development and public safety during her campaign. “Things are really steaming along on the economic side of things and I want to continue that momentum,” she said.

Library Bond: Voters Say No, Again

Jefferson County voters rejected Measure 16-117, a general obligation bond for new public library facilities, by a wide margin. Roughly 66% voted no to 34% yes. The bond would have funded construction of a new Madras library and a smaller branch in Culver.

It marks the second time in recent years Jefferson County voters have rejected a library expansion bond. Library district officials will now need to reassess their approach before bringing another measure to voters.

Camp Sherman Levies Pass

Two measures from the Camp Sherman area passed by strong margins. A levy for the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District — to fund fire, EMS, and wildfire preparedness staffing — passed with 65.6% support (105 yes, 55 no). A five-year renewal of the Camp Sherman Road District 18 local option tax levy passed with 80.2% support (130 yes, 32 no).

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s race and County Clerk race will both be decided in the November 3 general election.