Both of Jefferson County's sitting commissioners will return to office after winning their primary races Tuesday, while a long-sought library expansion bond was rejected by a wide margin — results that are still unofficial ahead of the June 25 certification deadline.

Commissioner Position 1: Wunsch Holds Comfortably

Incumbent Mark Wunsch defeated challenger George Curtiss to retain his seat on the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners. With all precincts reporting unofficial results, Wunsch carried approximately 58.6% of the vote — roughly 3,600 ballots — compared to Curtiss's 40.5%, or about 2,493 votes. A small number of write-in votes rounded out the tally in the three-candidate race, which also included Tony Chard on the original candidate list.

Wunsch has served on the board for multiple terms and ran on a platform of fiscal stability and measured growth. Curtiss, a local rancher and community advocate, had challenged the incumbent on issues of agricultural water policy and county services in rural areas.

Commissioner Position 2: Simmelink Survives a Crowded Field

In one of the more competitive local races this cycle, incumbent Kelly Simmelink won re-election against three challengers — Ara Erdekian, Greg Mead, and Bill Atherton. Simmelink, who has held the seat since 2017, earned approximately 53.9% of the vote, or about 3,357 ballots, in a four-way race that drew significant countywide interest.

Erdekian finished second with roughly 23.5% (1,477 votes), followed by Mead at 15.3% (962 votes) and Atherton at 6.9% (432 votes). The total unofficial vote count in the race was approximately 6,256 ballots.

Because neither Erdekian nor Mead reached a majority, and Simmelink already holds the majority, the incumbent advances directly. Oregon primary rules require a majority to win outright in nonpartisan races; because Simmelink exceeded 50%, the race is decided at the primary level.

Library Bond: Voters Say No Again

The news was far less encouraging for library advocates. Measure 16-117 — a bond that would have issued up to $15 million in general obligation bonds to fund a new library facility in Madras and a smaller branch in Culver — was defeated by approximately 65.8% to 34.2%, with 3,512 votes against and 1,827 in favor.

The defeat marks the second time Jefferson County Library District voters have declined to fund a major library expansion. A similar measure failed in 2025. Library officials had hoped a revised, lower-cost proposal would gain traction with voters, but the result suggests strong resistance to a tax-backed building bond in the current economic climate.

KWSO Radio in Warm Springs, which covers Jefferson County elections closely, reported that voter turnout was moderate for a primary, with approximately 38% of eligible voters returning their ballots.

Two Smaller Measures Pass

Voters in the Camp Sherman area approved both local measures on their ballots:

  • Measure 9-182, a levy to fund fire, EMS, and wildfire preparedness staffing for the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District, passed 105–55.
  • Measure 16-116, a five-year renewal of a local option tax levy for Camp Sherman Road District 18, passed 130–32.

What's Next

Oregon Primary Election results will be officially certified on June 25, 2026. Any changes between now and certification could affect final vote totals, though the margins in both commissioner races make flips unlikely. The Jefferson County Sheriff's race, between incumbent Jason Pollock and challenger Tyler Anderson, will also appear on the November general election ballot — though Anderson faces a separate, significant legal hurdle (see related story).