Phoenix Democrat Isabella Lee Tibbetts launches bid for Jackson County Commission

Tibbetts, 34, a development associate with Southern Oregon Climate Action Now, officially kicked off her campaign at the Phoenix Civic Center with roughly 100 supporters in attendance.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Phoenix Democrat Isabella Lee Tibbetts officially kicked off her campaign Sunday for a seat on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, drawing about 100 supporters to the Phoenix Civic Center. Tibbetts, who is the lone Democrat running for the county Board of Commissioners position held by Republican Colleen Roberts, told the audience that she is a millennial mother and a woman of color who was raised in the Rogue Valley, and that she is making a bid for county office on the message that local government must look more like the people it serves and act more decisively on housing, disaster preparedness, and transparency.

Why it matters

Tibbetts' candidacy represents an effort to bring more diverse representation to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, which has historically been dominated by Republican leadership. As a millennial woman of color, Tibbetts aims to give voice to communities and perspectives that have been underrepresented in local government.

The details

Tibbetts, who earned an associate of arts degree from Eastern Gateway Community College, sits on the Jackson County Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee. She is also the president of the Rogue Climate Board of Directors and has been the vice chair of the Jackson County Democratic Party for the last eight years. Her campaign priorities include rewriting county zoning ordinances to increase affordable housing, creating a countywide resiliency network to prepare for future disasters, and improving communication and transparency between the county commission and its constituents.

  • Tibbetts officially launched her campaign on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • The Jackson County Board of Commissioners position held by Republican Colleen Roberts is up for election.

The players

Isabella Lee Tibbetts

A 34-year-old Phoenix Democrat and development associate with Southern Oregon Climate Action Now who is running for a seat on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners.

Colleen Roberts

The Republican incumbent holding the Jackson County Board of Commissioners seat that Tibbetts is running for.

David Sours

The chair of the Jackson County Democratic Party, who introduced Tibbetts at her campaign kickoff event.

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What they’re saying

“We must look more like the people we serve and act more decisively on housing, disaster preparedness, and transparency.”

— Isabella Lee Tibbetts, Candidate for Jackson County Board of Commissioners (Ashland.news)

“Isabella Lee Tibbetts is the conscience in the room, asking who in the community isn't at the table and who will be affected by the decisions that are made.”

— David Sours, Chair, Jackson County Democratic Party (Ashland.news)

What’s next

Tibbetts will continue campaigning for the Jackson County Board of Commissioners seat, with the election scheduled for November 2026.

The takeaway

Tibbetts' campaign represents an effort to bring more diverse representation and a focus on community-driven priorities to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, which has historically been dominated by Republican leadership.