Everything that’s appearing on the May 21 primary election ballot in Central Oregon
Published 5:15 am Wednesday, March 27, 2024
- A ballot drop box sits outside the Deschutes County government building in 2023 at 1300 NW Wall St. in Bend.
The primary election is May 21. Here’s everything you need to know about what local measures and candidates will be on the ballots in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties.
Deschutes County
Phil Chang, Brian Huntamer, Rob Imhoff and Judy Trego are running for Deschutes County Commission, Position #2. This race is nonpartisan. Chang currently holds the seat.
Bend-La Pine Schools has a 5-year local option levy on the ballot to raise funds for career-technical education pathways, student support, class size management and other issues. It would be $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value for five years.
The La Pine Rural Fire Protection District has renewals of a 5-year levy for operational costs and a 10-year levy for capital projects on the ballot. The 5-year levy would be for $0.64 per $1,000 of assessed property value, while the 10-year levy would be for $0.23 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Newberry Estates Special Road District has a renewal of a 5-year local option tax on the ballot for dust abatement. It would be for $0.60 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
The city of Redmond has three measures on the ballot to amend the city charter. The amendments are to add councilor term limits, change the mayoral term length and limits, and change the qualifications to hold elective office.
Crook County
Susan Hermreck is running unopposed for Crook County Commission, Position #1.
Monty Kurtz, Seth Crawford and Ken Fahlgren are running for Crook County Commission, Position #3.
John Gautney is running unopposed for sheriff.
Gregory Kelso is running unopposed for county surveyor.
Crook County has a ballot question that asks whether residents would support moving Crook County into Idaho.
Crook County School District has a bond for repairs and updates to schools and district facilities.
Jefferson County
Cindy Brockett, George “Wes” Curtiss, Ara Erdekian, Brandie McNamee, Rick Molitor, Shawn Stanfill and Seth Taylor are running for Jefferson County Commission, Position #3.
Jeff Rasmussen and Yoonsun Reynolds are running for Jefferson County treasurer.
Steven Leriche is running unopposed for Jefferson County District Attorney. He has served in the role since 2009.
Jefferson County Rural Fire Protection District #1 has a ballot measure for bonds for new equipment and improvements for fire stations and firefighting and emergency medical equipment. The measure seeks $14.5 million.
The ballot will have two measures relating to the recreation district. One asks whether the Madras Aquatic Recreation District should be dissolved to form a new district, while the other will ask for the formation of the Madras Aquatic Center and Recreation District. The current board members of the Madras Aquatic Recreation District are running for the board seats of the Madras Aquatic Center and Recreation District. Both the dissolution and the formation measures need to be passed for change to occur.
President, statewide measures
Presidential primary candidates include Democrats Joseph Biden and Marianne Williamson and Republican Donald Trump.
U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario, is seeking reelection to the 2nd Congressional District. Jason Beebe is running against him for the Republican nomination. Steve Laible and Dan Ruby are running for the Democratic nomination.
U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Happy Valley, is seeking reelection to the 5th Congressional District, which includes Bend and Redmond. Jamie McLeod-Skinner and Janelle Bynum are running for the Democratic nomination.
Republicans Michael Cross and Will Lathrop are running to represent their party in the race for Oregon attorney general, along with Democrats Shaina Pomerantz and Dan Rayfield.
Candidates for state treasurer are Democrats Jeff Gudman and Elizabeth Steiner and Republican Brian Boquist.
Secretary of State candidates are Republicans Brent Barker, Dennis Linthicum and Tim McCloud and Democrats James Crary, James Manning Jr., Tobias Read, Dave Stauffer and Paul Damien Wells.
In state Senate District 27, Democrat Anthony Broadman and Republican Michael Summers are running unopposed in the party primary.
State Senate District 28 has two Republicans competing for the nomination: Diane Linthicum and Dave Henslee.
State Senate District 30 has Mike McLane, Douglas Muck Jr. and Robert Neuman competing for the Republican nomination.
State House District 53 has Democrat Emerson Levy and Republican Keri Lopez running unopposed for party nominations.
In state House District 54, Democrat Jason Kropf is the only candidate.
State House District 55 has Republican E. Werner Reschke and Democrat James Williamson seeking party nominations.
State House District 59 has a race among Republicans Vikki Breese-Iverson, Joseph Goodwin and Austyn Goody, while Brian Samp is the only Democrat in the primary, according to Oregon Secretary of State records.
Election Day is May 21. Here’s what you need to know to vote.