Six Candidates Vie for Deschutes County Commissioner Seat

Diverse field includes a teacher, tribal member, and former Marine vying to replace outgoing Commissioner Patti Adair

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:04pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of an empty county government building or town hall, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows cast across the facade, capturing the solemn nature of local politics.As the race for a key Deschutes County Commissioner seat heats up, the quiet solemnity of local government belies the high-stakes political battle unfolding.Bend Today

An action-packed primary race for Position 3 on the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners features six candidates with a diverse set of backgrounds, including a teacher, a tribal member, and a former Marine. The seat is currently held by Commissioner Patti Adair, who announced a bid for the U.S. House of Representatives, leaving her seat and a four-year term up for grabs as the commission expands from three members to five.

Why it matters

This race has become divisive, with a contested endorsement from the Deschutes Democrats party and allegations of a 'smear campaign' against one of the leading candidates. The outcome could shift the political dynamics on the county commission and impact key issues like housing, public health, and environmental protection.

The details

The top two vote-getters in the nonpartisan May 19 primary will advance to the general election in November. If one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, they automatically win and forego the November election. Three candidates have strong financial and political backing, including Amanda Page, a member of the Klamath Tribes who has raised over $110,000, and Amy Sabbadini, a civics teacher who has the endorsement of many local elected officials.

  • The primary election is scheduled for May 19, 2026.
  • The general election, if needed, will be held in November 2026.

The players

Amanda Page

A member of the Klamath Tribes, Page is a flight medic and Redmond School Board member who has raised over $110,000 in campaign contributions, including $30,000 from the Tribal Democracy Project and $9,000 from the Color PAC.

Amy Sabbadini

A civics teacher and the regional program manager with the Civics Learning Project, Sabbadini has reported $72,801 in campaign donations from individuals and has been endorsed by many local elected officials.

Lauren Connally

The Republican-endorsed candidate, Connally is the office administrator for Deschutes Defenders, a state-funded nonprofit that provides public defense services. She has reported $14,886 in campaign contributions, including $5,000 from the Central Oregon Association of Realtors PAC.

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What they’re saying

“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. We don't just go along with things to ease the tension for people, or, 'let's be more moderate, moderate our message.' 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.”

— Amanda Page, Candidate

“I'm the person most of the electeds trust to win this position.”

— Amy Sabbadini, Candidate

“We need long-term, systems-driven thinking. When we allow policy to be driven by emotional rhetoric … then it's piecemeal.”

— Lauren Connally, Candidate

What’s next

The top two vote-getters in the nonpartisan May 19 primary will advance to the general election in November. If one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, they automatically win and forego the November election.

The takeaway

This race has become a battleground for competing visions of Deschutes County's future, with candidates offering diverse backgrounds and policy platforms on issues like housing, public health, environmental protection, and criminal justice reform. The outcome could have significant implications for the county's political landscape and priorities.