Jefferson County’s May 19 primary election advanced a set of races that will define local government for years to come. Voters will return to the ballot in November to decide the county sheriff’s race and two commissioner seats, with incumbents holding strong leads heading into the general election.
Sheriff: Pollock vs. Anderson in November
Incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock won his primary and will face former Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputy Tyler Anderson in the November general election.
The race has attracted statewide attention due to the circumstances surrounding Anderson’s candidacy. Anderson was fired from the Sheriff’s Office in April 2025 following an investigation that concluded he had been untruthful on multiple occasions — including omitting from his job application that he had previously been dismissed from a volunteer position with the Parma, Idaho Police Department.
Anderson was placed on Brady Lists maintained by two local district attorneys — rosters of law enforcement personnel whose credibility issues could complicate criminal prosecutions. He is also contesting a May 21 recommendation by the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training’s (DPSST) Police Policy Committee to revoke his law enforcement certifications for life. Anderson has announced he plans to appeal the decision and says he will remain in the race.
Oregon state law requires a sheriff to hold law enforcement certification within one year of taking office, a legal requirement that would affect Anderson if he were to win in November and his appeal fails.
Pollock, who was first appointed sheriff in June 2022 after winning the primary that year, is seeking his second full term.
Commissioner Position 1: Wunsch Leads Curtiss
Incumbent Commissioner Mark Wunsch carried a roughly 20-point lead over challenger George Curtiss in early returns for Position 1. Wunsch and Curtiss advance to the November general election. A third candidate, Tony Chard, did not advance.
Commissioner Position 2: Simmelink at 55%
In the four-way race for Position 2, incumbent Commissioner Kelly Simmelink — who has served since 2017 — captured approximately 55% of the vote in the primary, facing challengers Ara Erdekian, Greg Mead, and Bill Atherton. Final certified results from the May primary were last updated June 25.
All contested races now move to the November 2026 general election.