Jefferson County’s two incumbent county commissioners won their respective May primary elections by comfortable margins, setting up a pair of November general election matchups.

Position 1: Wunsch Holds Off Curtiss

Commission Chair Mark Wunsch secured the primary with approximately 59% of the vote, defeating challenger George Curtiss, who finished with around 40%. Tony Chard, who also filed for Position 1, did not advance based on vote totals.

Wunsch has served as a Jefferson County Commissioner for several terms and currently chairs the board. Curtiss, who grew up on Crooked River Ranch, ran on a platform emphasizing accountability and representation for rural communities outside the Madras city core.

The November general election will be between Wunsch and Curtiss.

Position 2: Simmelink Leads Four-Way Field

Incumbent Kelly Simmelink, who has served since 2017, took approximately 55% of the vote in a crowded four-candidate primary that also included Bill Atherton, Greg Mead, and Ara Erdekian.

Because Simmelink did not secure more than 50% of the vote in a race with multiple candidates, Oregon election rules send the race to a general election between the top two finishers. The second-place finisher among Atherton, Mead, and Erdekian will face Simmelink in November.

What the Results Mean

The primary results confirm that both incumbents remain popular with the Jefferson County electorate, but neither race is over. The November general election will bring broader voter participation, including registered voters who did not cast ballots in the May primary.

The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners oversees a wide range of county services including roads, public health, land use planning, and the county budget. With fire season ramping up and ongoing infrastructure needs from Crooked River Ranch to Ashwood, the November outcome will have real consequences for how Jefferson County is governed through at least 2030.

Looking Ahead

General election ballots in Oregon are typically mailed to registered voters in late October, with Election Day on the first Tuesday of November. Candidates have until August to formally file for the general election.

Residents wanting to learn more about the candidates or confirm their voter registration can visit the Jefferson County Elections office at 66 SE D Street, Suite C in Madras, or call (541) 475-5151.