Six candidates are running for Position 3 on the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, with the primary election set for May 19. The seat is open after Commissioner Patti Adair announced her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives last fall, leaving a four-year term available as the commission expands from three to five members.
The outcome will determine who advances to the general election in November, unless one candidate receives more than half of the votes in May and wins outright. With three candidates having significant financial and political support, observers say such an outcome is unlikely.
Amy Sabbadini and Amanda Page are leading among Democratic-leaning voters. Sabbadini received her party’s endorsement after a close vote, but supporters of Page alleged bias in the process and raised concerns about support for candidates of color within local party leadership. “Our campaign really draws out people who otherwise would sit this out, because they see that we’re different, they see we have a vision that’s fully in line with our values,” Page said. “We’re 100% here for working families here in Deschutes County. That’s our mission. We protect the land and we take care of people.” Page has reported $75,427 in campaign contributions, including donations from organizations supporting Native American and minority candidates.
Sabbadini described her fundraising as grassroots-driven and highlighted endorsements as her strongest asset: “I’m the person most of the electeds trust to win this position,” she said. Her priorities include planning for affordable housing, supporting public health programs and law enforcement, minimizing rural sprawl, and preparing communities for wildfire risks.
Lauren Connally is endorsed by Republicans and describes herself as a moderate choice: “We need long-term, systems-driven thinking,” Connally said. After serving in the Marine Corps from 2004 to 2007 and experiencing homelessness firsthand last year despite being employed full-time, she emphasized policies addressing housing affordability as well as mental health resources: “It really pushes me to say what are we doing to take care of our families and our youth…what are we doing to break that cycle,” Connally said.
Other contenders include Samuel Facey—a mill worker focused on wildfire threats—and perennial candidate Charles Webster Baer who advocates depopulation policies; Gary Campbell did not respond to interview requests but lists varied work experience including school bus driver roles.
As voters prepare for an expanded county commission structure this year amid rising concerns over affordability, land use policy, public safety issues like wildfire preparedness remain central themes among all major campaigns.
