Brady Outlines Housing, Wildfire, and Growth Priorities in Reelection Bid for Wasco County Commissioner
The Dalles, Ore., March 24, 2026 — Voters in Wasco County have a crowded and competitive races in the May 19 primary election for Wasco County Commissioner.
Two seats are open
And it comes at a turning point for the county’s future.
Four candidates — Lisa Gambee, John Grant, Nichole Biechler, and Robb E. Van Cleave — are running for Position No. 1, currently held by Scott Hege. Incumbent Phil Brady is facing Dick Schaffeld and Mike Urness in the race for Position No. 3.
This election comes as the county is seeing major new revenue from data center development, including millions of dollars tied to Google’s investment. How that money is used could shape Wasco County for decades.
The county is heading into what many expect to be more financially stable — even flush — years. The next board will help decide where that money goes and who benefits.
Commissioner is a full-time, elected position, with pay typically around $50,000 a year as well as health benefits.
If a candidate gets more than 50% of the vote in May, they win outright. If not, the top two move on to the November election.
In the end, voters will decide who leads Wasco County through this critical moment.
CCCNews will be using our podcast format to interview these candidates over the next several weeks. We start today with Phil Brady who is running for Position 1.
Phil Brady
Wasco County Commissioner Phil Brady is making his case for reelection, emphasizing housing development, wildfire preparedness and long-term financial stability as the county enters what he described as a period of growing revenue and opportunity.
Brady is the incumbent running for Position No. 3 in the May 19 primary. He faces Dick Schaffeld and Mike Urness in his bid to keep his position.
Brady said housing remains one of the county’s most urgent challenges and a key barrier to economic growth. He pointed to ongoing projects through the Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, including 130 units under construction in Hood River and another 76 units planned in The Dalles.
He said one of the most effective strategies for increasing affordable housing is securing land upfront — either through public acquisition or tools like community land trusts — which allows developers to focus resources on construction while keeping long-term costs lower for residents.
A proposal under discussion in Wasco County would involve the county purchasing land beneath projects such as the Basalt Commons development and leasing it back to developers, reducing upfront costs while keeping the land in public ownership.
Brady also highlighted wildfire resilience as a growing priority following the 2025 Rowena Fire, which destroyed dozens of homes near The Dalles. He said faster evacuation systems, expanded fuel reduction efforts and infrastructure protection — particularly water and septic systems — will be critical moving forward.
“We learned these fires move faster than we expect,” Brady said, noting the Rowena Fire reached its first structure within 12 minutes of ignition.
On rural fire protection, Brady said local districts should remain in control of operations but may require additional funding support, including potential tax levies, as volunteer numbers decline and fire risks increase.
He also addressed the county’s financial future as revenues tied to data center development — including millions of dollars annually from Google — continue to grow. Brady cautioned that current tax structures may create long-term instability due to depreciation of equipment and suggested exploring alternative models, such as excise taxes tied to production.
“We need a system that avoids boom-and-bust cycles and provides stable funding over time,” he said.
Brady said those revenues should be split 60/40 between long-term savings and targeted investments, particularly in infrastructure and housing, while avoiding ongoing commitments tied to one-time funds.
Looking ahead, he said economic development efforts should focus on livability — including housing, broadband expansion and quality of life — as the primary driver for attracting businesses and workforce talent.
He also voiced support for building a new high school in The Dalles, suggesting that peak revenue years from data center payments could help offset costs if paired with local investment.
The interview is part of an ongoing CCCNews podcast series featuring 7 candidates in the Wasco County commissioner races ahead of the May primary election.
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