Jefferson County’s May 19, 2026 primary election results have been certified, with both incumbent county commissioners holding leads in their respective multi-candidate races. Oregon Secretary of State results were updated through June 25.
In Oregon, nonpartisan races — including county commissioner and sheriff — use the May primary to narrow a field to the top two vote-getters, who then advance to the November general election.
Commissioner Position 1: Wunsch Advances
Incumbent Commissioner Mark Wunsch faced two challengers — George Curtiss and Tony Chard — in the Position 1 race. Wunsch led both challengers after initial vote counts on election night, and holds his position heading into November. The second-place finisher between Curtiss and Chard will join Wunsch on the November ballot.
Commissioner Position 2: Simmelink Advances
Incumbent Commissioner Kelly Simmelink, who has held Position 2 since 2017, faced a four-way primary field that included Ara Erdekian, Greg Mead, and Bill Atherton. Simmelink led all challengers in the primary count. The runner-up will advance to face Simmelink in November.
Sheriff: Pollock and Anderson Head to November
With only two candidates on the sheriff’s ballot — incumbent Jason Pollock and challenger Tyler Anderson — both automatically advance to the general election. That race has become significantly more complex in the weeks since the primary, as a state police oversight committee recommended Anderson’s law enforcement certifications be permanently revoked on May 21 (see related coverage).
Looking Ahead to November
Jefferson County voters will determine who governs their county for the next four years in the November 3, 2026 general election. The Board of Commissioners oversees the county’s budget, land use, public safety services, emergency management, and its relationships with the City of Madras and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Oregon is an all-mail-ballot state. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters in advance of the November election. Residents can register or update their registration at oregonvotes.gov. For local election information, contact the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office at 66 SE D Street, Suite C, Madras, or visit jeffco.net.