Jefferson County's two incumbent county commissioners came out on top in the May 19 primary, setting up fall general election matchups while fending off challengers who sought to reshape the Board of Commissioners.
Position 1: Wunsch Over Curtiss by 20 Points
Incumbent Commissioner Mark Wunsch held a commanding 20-percentage-point lead over challenger George Curtiss in the initial vote count for Commissioner Position 1. A third candidate, Tony Chard, also appeared on the ballot.
Wunsch, who has served Jefferson County on the board, ran on his record of county government experience and fiscal stewardship. Curtiss, a relative newcomer to Jefferson County politics, positioned himself as an outsider voice. The strong margin for Wunsch reflects a significant incumbency advantage in a county where name recognition and track record carry substantial weight.
Oregon's nonpartisan top-two primary system sends the top two vote-getters from each race to the November general election, regardless of vote share. Both Wunsch and Curtiss are expected to advance.
Position 2: Simmelink Leads Four-Way Field
Incumbent Commissioner Kelly Simmelink, who has served Jefferson County since 2017, captured approximately 55% of the vote in a contested four-way race for Commissioner Position 2. Her challengers were Bill Atherton, Greg Mead, and Ara Erdekian.
Simmelink's commanding share of the primary vote in a four-candidate field signals broad support from Jefferson County voters who have returned her to office. The second-place finisher from among Atherton, Mead, and Erdekian will advance to face Simmelink in November.
What's Next
Final certified results were updated through June 25 by the Oregon Secretary of State's office, accounting for all mail ballots postmarked by election day. The November general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
For Jefferson County residents, the November races will determine the direction of county governance on issues including land use, public safety infrastructure, drought and emergency management, and community development — particularly relevant as the county faces an active fire season and ongoing challenges with rural services.