Candidates face runoff, Watershed Measure sinks

The race for Lane County Commission Position 5 is headed to a November runoff after no candidate secured more than 50 percent of the vote in the May primary election.

Preliminary election results show Jake Pelroy leading the three-candidate field with 11,800 votes, or 48.3 percent. Heather Buch followed closely with 11,410 votes, or 46.7 percent. Bob Zybach received 1,168 votes, accounting for 4.8 percent of ballots cast.

Because neither Pelroy nor Buch reached the majority threshold required to win outright, the two candidates will face each other in the general election this November.

Pelroy, a Lane County native, Marine Corps veteran and small business owner, campaigned on reducing regulations, addressing homelessness and supporting sustainable timber harvests to help fund public services. Pelroy said his background in public policy and small business gives him experience fighting tax and fee increases while reducing government red tape.

His campaign received support from groups including the Associated Oregon Loggers, Lane County Farm Bureau, Oregon Small Business Association, Taxpayers Association of Oregon and the Lane County Peace Officers Association Executive Board.

Buch, a military spouse, mother and small business owner, focused her campaign on public safety, rural healthcare, housing affordability and economic development. She highlighted her role in helping establish the South Lane Clinic in Cottage Grove and emphasized support for emergency responders and affordable housing initiatives.

Buch was endorsed by organizations including the Oregon Sierra Club, Oregon League of Conservation Voters and the Democratic Party of Lane County.

Zybach, a reforestation contractor, educator and researcher, centered his campaign on increased active management of public forests. He argued that restoring sustainable timber harvests could reduce wildfire risks, create rural jobs and increase funding for schools, roads and law enforcement.

The Position 5 seat represents East Lane County, including many rural communities stretching from the McKenzie Valley south through Cottage Grove and surrounding areas. The November runoff is expected to draw significant attention as voters choose the next representative for one of Lane County’s largest and most geographically diverse districts.

And, while Lane County Ballot Measure 20-380 4-H youth and OSU Extension Programs was endorsed by a Yes vote of 59,767 (50.32%), Measure 20-373 to establishes rights for watersheds was voted down by 72,480 to 44,750 margin.