Jefferson County voters delivered decisive results in the May 19 primary, returning both incumbent commissioners to their seats while setting the stage for a contentious November showdown for the county’s top law enforcement post.

Commissioner Positions 1 and 2: Incumbents Hold

In Commissioner Position 1, incumbent Mark Wunsch led challenger George Curtiss by a commanding margin of 58.6% to 40.5%, securing re-election outright.

Position 2 saw a more crowded field of four candidates, but incumbent Kelly Simmelink captured 53.9% of votes — just enough to claim an outright majority and avoid a November runoff. Challenger Ara Erdekian finished second with 23.5%, followed by Greg Mead at 15.3% and Bill Atherton at 6.9%.

Wunsch has made public safety and transportation his top priorities, noting that the county has added five officers over the past three and a half years. “We have a lot of nasty crime going on across the county when it comes to domestic violence, child sex crimes, you name it,” Wunsch said during a candidate forum at Madras Performing Arts Center. “We need to be able to be proactive, be able to have a team that can address those in a timely manner regardless of where they’re at.”

Simmelink, who has served on the commission since 2017, emphasized continued momentum on economic development. “Things are really steaming along on the economic side of things and I want to continue that momentum,” she said at a campaign forum.

Sheriff Race: Both Candidates Advance to November

Under Oregon law, the Sheriff’s race did not appear on the May primary ballot because only two candidates filed — incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock and former JCSO deputy Tyler Anderson. With only two candidates, the race goes directly to the November General Election.

The race has attracted statewide attention after a May 21 hearing in which a DPSST committee recommended stripping Anderson of his law enforcement certifications. Anderson, who is also listed on the Brady List, argued at the hearing that the investigation by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training had not been complete. The full DPSST board has final authority over the revocation.

The November general election is shaping up as one of the most consequential local races in Jefferson County in years. Voters will weigh questions of accountability, law enforcement standards, and community trust when they cast their ballots this fall.

Results from the May 19 primary were last updated by the Oregon Secretary of State on June 19, 2026.