Published 7:17 am Wednesday, October 21, 2026

I’ve had the honor of serving as your Deschutes County Commissioner for six years, and I understand the challenges facing our county. That’s why I’m concerned about Rob Imhoff, who is running against Morgan Schmidt for Seat #5.

This fall, Imhoff declined invitations to a League of Women Voters candidate forum and an endorsement interview with the Source, leaving voters to wonder about his grasp of critical issues.

Fortunately, we can gauge his readiness from his 2024 answers at Connect Central Oregon and League of Women Voters forums, when he ran against me for Seat #2. They reveal troubling gaps in his understanding of the challenges facing our county.

Wildfire. Asked about the County’s role in protecting our homes, Imhoff never mentioned that the County helps homeowners harden their homes through education, technical assistance and cost share.…