The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Employee Association endorsed Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp as its choice for the next Deschutes County sheriff in a near-unanimous vote from union membership, the candidate said Thursday.

“It’s an incredible honor to have the endorsement from (the union,)” Vander Kamp told The Bulletin. “There’s nothing better than when your co-workers tell you that they want you to lead them … Win, lose or draw, I won last night by having their support.”

Vander Kamp is one of two candidates running for sheriff in the November election. The other candidate, Capt. William Bailey, has been endorsed by sitting Sheriff Shane Nelson, who announced last year he is stepping down when his term ends in January.

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Bailey told The Bulletin he respects the union’s decision and looks forward to “continuing conversations about how we can work together delivering public safety.”

The last time the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Employee Union Association endorsed a candidate for sheriff was in 2016, when the membership voted to endorse Nelson over his opponent, deputy Eric Kozowski. Vander Kamp said the union’s willingness to make an endorsement speaks to the credibility of his campaign in the community.

“The employees (at the sheriff’s office) don’t have much of a voice when it comes to the public because they’re restricted by policy,” Vander Kamp said. “Our boss are the voters — they are going to make the decision on Nov. 5 — and I think (the union’s endorsement) was their voice to tell their boss: This is who we need leading.”

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Since Vander Kamp announced his candidacy, the sheriff’s office has faced a series of political discrimination claims. So far, three employees have notified the county of potential lawsuits alleging maltreatment from department leaders for their support of Vander Kamp’s campaign and a new sergeants union.

Vander Kamp himself has also filed a tort claim notice — the official notification of a potential lawsuit — alleging election interference and discrimination for running against Nelson’s endorsed candidate, Bailey.