Following death of Commissioner Phil Brady on Election Day, runner up Mike Urness will appear on November ballot

No candidate for the nonpartisan commissioner position received a majority of the vote. As of 10:30 a.m. today, May 21, Brady has 2,571 votes (35.84%), Mike Urness 2,474 (34.49%), and Dick Schaffeld 2,111 (29.43%).

“Under ORS 249.088, this outcome would ordinarily require a runoff between the top two vote-getters in the November General Election,” Zaugg said. “However, following Commissioner Brady’s passing, the Wasco County Clerk has determined, based on the interpretation of law from the Secretary of State, that ORS 254.135(1)(c) applies. Under this provision, when one nominated candidate dies before the general election, only the remaining nominated candidate will appear on the November ballot.”

In this case, that is Urness.

“We appreciate the prompt interpretation from the Secretary of State’s Office,” Zaugg said. “This clarity allows the county to move forward with confidence in the integrity of the election process while we continue to mourn the loss of Commissioner Brady.”

Filling the current vacancy

Zaugg said a separate issue is Brady’s unexpired term. The remaining board members are responsible for appointing a qualified candidate to fill the remainder of the term, which expires Dec. 31. The board will announce the timeline and appointment process in the coming weeks, she said.

Brady, a first term commissioner, was running for reelection.