In wake of Brady’s death, Urness will be only candidate for Wasco County Commissioner Pos. 3 in November
The Dalles, Ore., May 21, 2026 — Wasco County election officials say only one candidate will appear on the November general election ballot for the county commissioner seat following the death of Commissioner Phil Brady on Election Day.
According to a statement released Wednesday by the Wasco County Clerk’s Office, Mike Urness will advance alone to the November ballot after state election officials determined Oregon law allows only the remaining nominated candidate to appear following the death of a runoff candidate.
Brady and Urness were the top two finishers in the May 19 nonpartisan commissioner race and had been expected to face each other in a November runoff after no candidate secured a majority of votes in the primary election.
The Wasco County Clerk’s Office said it consulted with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office after Brady’s death to determine how the election should proceed. County Clerk Chrissy Zaugg said the county received guidance that Oregon Revised Statute 254.135(1)(c) applies when one nominated candidate dies before the general election.
“Under this provision, when one nominated candidate dies before the general election, only the remaining nominated candidate will appear on the November ballot,” the release stated.
In the Primary, Brady received 2,571 votes, or 35.84%, narrowly edging Mike Urness, who received 2,474 votes, or 34.49%, a difference of just 97 votes. Dick Schaffeld trailed closely behind with 2,111 votes, or 29.43%, underscoring a tightly divided three-way race for the Position 3 seat that would have advanced to a runoff in November under normal election rules.
The county also must fill the vacancy left in Brady’s current term on the Wasco County Board of Commissioners. The clerk’s office said Oregon law requires the remaining commissioners to appoint a qualified individual to serve the remainder of the term. The board is expected to announce a timeline and appointment process in the coming weeks.
The Wasco County Clerk’s Office said certification of the May primary election results will proceed on the normal timeline.
“We appreciate the prompt interpretation from the Secretary of State’s Office,” Zaugg said in the release. “This clarity allows the County to move forward with confidence in the integrity of the election process while we continue to mourn the loss of Commissioner Brady.”
