Candidates and Ballot Measures
May 17 Primary Election
NOTE: Below you’ll find a list of candidates who’ll be on the ballot, along with their websites.
We are extremely short-handed on running down info about candidates. You will need to do your own research. We encourage you to consult with other NLs and neighbors. Helpful sources include: County Voters Pamphlet (will be mailed the week of April 20) and the Military/Overseas Voters Guide (candidate info which will be included in the mailing with the County mailing). It takes time, but there is no one who is going to do it for us. We need to take responsibility for our own education about this if we are to be successful.
Ballot Measures
There will be NO ballot measures in this election.
Candidates for State and Federal Offices
These candidates file with the Secretary of State. To see complete filing information for these candidates go to: https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/CFSearchPage.do
PARTISAN POSITIONS (State and Federal)
For information about partisan vs. nonpartisan races, click here.
U.S. Senator
6-year term
3 Democratic candidates–Ron Wyden is the incumbent
William E. Barlow III
Website: www.wmbarlow.com
Email: william@wmbarlow.com
Brent Thompson
Website: www.brentthompsonforussenate.com
Email: brentthom2000@gmail.com
Ron Wyden
Website: www.standtallforamerica.com
Email: campaign@wydenforsenate.com
U.S. Representative for Congressional District 2
2-year term
2 Democratic candidates running to unseat Cliff Bentz
Adam Prine
Website: www.prine4oregon.com
Email: adamprine@yahoo.com
Joe Yetter
Website: www.joefororegon.com
Email: joeleeyetter@yahoo.com
Governor
4-year term
15 Democrats are running to succeed Kate Brown, who cannot run again due to term limits.
Click here for info about the gubernatorial candidates.
State Senate
4-year term
Map of senate districts in Jackson County
SD 2
Not on the ballot this election cycle. It will be in 2024.
SD 3
Jeff Golden (Incumbent–running unopposed in the primary)
Website: https://goldenforsenate.org/
Email: jeffgolden10@gmail.com
SD28
Not on the ballot this election cycle. It will be in 2024.
State Representative
2-year term
Map of house districts in Jackson County
HD 2
Rainey S. Lambert (only Democrat running to unseat a Republican)
Website: www.lambertforor.us
Email: lambertrainey@gmail.com
HD 4
No Democrat filed for this house district. The Party is looking for a write-in candidate.
HD 5
Pam Marsh (Incumbent–running unopposed in the primary)
Website: www.PamMarshforOregon.com
Email: pam.marsh@gmail.com
HD 6
Dan Davis (only Democrat running to unseat Kim Wallan)
Website: www.dandavisformedford.com
Email: DavisforHD6@gmail.com
HD 56
This is a newly created house district including parts of Jackson and Klamath Counties.
Jonathan P. Chenjeri (only Democrat running)
Website: www.jpcford56.com
Email: JPCforD56@gmail.com
NONPARTISAN POSITIONS (State and Federal)
For information about partisan vs. nonpartisan races, click here.
Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)
Also known as the “Oregon Labor Commissioner”
4-year term
Find out more about BOLI at https://www.oregon.gov/boli/
7 candidates of various parties are running to succeed Val Hoyle, who is seeking another office.
Click here to see the candidates
Judge of the Supreme Court
Judge of the Court of Appeals
Find out here about the judicial positions.
Candidates for County Offices
These candidates file with the Jackson County Clerk. To see complete filing information for these candidates go to: https://jacksoncountyor.org/clerk/Elections/Upcoming-Current-Elections/General-Primary-Elections.
PARTISAN POSITIONS (County)
For information about partisan vs. nonpartisan races, click here.
Jackson County Commissioners
There are three positions on the County Commission. Two positions are on the ballot this year.
Position 1
Denise Krause (Democrat running unopposed in the primary, trying to unseat Rick Dyer)
Website: https://www.krause4commissioner.org/
Email: krause4commissioner@gmail.com
Position 3
Colleen Roberts is seeking re-election. No Democrat filed for the primary. Accordingly, there will be no candidate listed on your Democratic primary ballot.
We recommend that Democrats write in Al Densmore for Position 3.
Website: https://www.weloveal.com/
Here is information about Al Densmore.
Here are instructions on how to write him in.
Precinct Committee Persons (PCP)
2-year term
Each political party has elected representatives who make up their respective governing bodies. Any registered Democrat can run for election as a PCP (they can also be appointed by the party). Each precinct in the county has PCP positions; the number of positions depends on the population of the precinct.
It is very possible you may see the name of someone you know on your primary ballot, who is running for this office!
NONPARTISAN POSITIONS (County)
For information about partisan vs. nonpartisan races, click here.
County Clerk
4-year term
Incumbent: Chris Walker
Chris Walker is the only candidate who’ll be on the ballot. This position has taken on increased significance in light of the assault on the voting process and election officials that we’ve seen across the U.S. Even though no Democrat will be on your primary ballot, we recommend Democrats vote to re-elect Chris Walker, who has served with distinction since she was first elected in 2008.
Sheriff
4-year term
Incumbent: Nathan Sickler
Nathan Sickler is the only candidate. We have no further info at this time beyond what’s in your Voter’s Pamphlet and beyond what you’ve read and discussed with friends and neighbors.
The meaning of PARTISAN vs. NONPARTISAN
Partisan races: In Oregon, each party has its own slate of candidates. Democrats can only vote for Democrats, Republicans for Republicans, etc. The state has a number of political parties that may be having primaries this spring.
When there are two or more Democrats vying for an office, the candidate who wins the most votes will go on to the November general election, facing off against primary winners from the other parties. Jackson County Democratic Party does not officially endorse one Democrat over another. The Party has published a Slate of Candidates that you can download and give voters (or you can provide a link to the Slate via text message or email).
As a Neighborhood Leader, you may be asked your recommendation on who to vote for. You are welcome to share your recommendations with voters, but you must make it clear that you are not speaking for Jackson County Democratic Party.
Nonpartisan races: Some state and county offices are nonpartisan, which means candidates of all parties will appear on the ballot without mention of party affiliation. All voters get to select among the candidates. If one candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote, that candidate wins. If no one wins 50 percent, there will be a run-off in the November general election between the top two candidates.
If a position is nonpartisan, it implies that the issues of policy addressed by these office-holders are generally not seen as driven by political considerations.
