Today -- Tuesday, June 9 -- is the final deadline for resolving any outstanding signature challenges from Jefferson County’s May 19 primary election, according to the Jefferson County Elections Office. With results last updated June 8 by the Oregon Secretary of State, here is where every key race stands heading into the November general election.

County Commissioner, Position 1

Incumbent Mark Wunsch won the Republican primary decisively, taking 58.6% of the vote (3,508 votes) against challenger George Curtiss, who received 40.5% (2,428 votes). Write-in candidates accounted for the remaining 0.9%.

Because both candidates in this race are Republicans in a county that does not have a competitive Democratic primary challenger for this seat, Wunsch will face Curtiss or another opponent in November. Wunsch has served on the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and entered the race as a clear frontrunner.

County Commissioner, Position 2

Incumbent Kelly Simmelink topped a four-way field with 53.9% of the vote (3,282 votes). Ara Erdekian came in second at 23.5% (1,434), followed by Greg Mead at 15.3% (930) and Bill Atherton at 6.9% (418). Simmelink, who has served since 2017, will advance to the November general election.

County Sheriff

The sheriff’s race between incumbent Jason Pollock and former deputy Tyler Anderson was uncontested in the primary, meaning both candidates advance automatically to the November general election.

That race has grown significantly more complicated since the primary. On May 21, Oregon’s Police Policy Committee -- a subcommittee of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) -- voted to recommend that Anderson have his law enforcement certifications revoked for life. The DPSST board will make a final ruling at its July 21, 2026 meeting, and Anderson has stated he plans to appeal.

Oregon law requires a sheriff to hold valid law enforcement certification within one year of taking office. Anderson, who was fired by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in April 2025 following an investigation into multiple allegations including untruthfulness and omission of prior employment and drug use on job applications, has maintained the investigation was incomplete and that he will continue his campaign regardless of the DPSST outcome.

What’s Next

The general election is November 3, 2026. Candidate filing for open seats, including the Madras Mayor and three City Council positions, is currently open. Jefferson County voters should watch for candidate filings and forums through the summer months.