NEWPORT — Lincoln County voters will choose from 63 candidates running for 17 national, state and county positions in the Tue., May 19th 2026 primary election.

The list of hopefuls was last revised March 18 by Lincoln Co. Clerk Amy Southwell — herself an unopposed candidate for a second 4-year term — after some contenders dropped out and others switched positions before deadline. In strongly challenged races across the board, 12 compelling candidates emerged for three Lincoln Co. Commission seats paying $98,000 or more per year.

LIST OF CANDIDATES AND MEASURES

Two incumbents are fighting for their political careers. In one case, retired sheriff Curtis Landers faked a run for Pos. 2, then deftly cleared the field for a showdown at county commission Pos. 3 with incumbent Walter Chuck, an appointee. In another, first-term incumbent Casey Miller faces political headwinds from an administrative revolt, social media nags and five substantive challengers.

Six people are vying for Pos. 1, a four-year term that begins in Jan., 2027, including:

• CHERI BRUBAKER, a journalist and congressional district liaison for 4th Dist. Cong. Val Hoyle, wants to “rebuild public trust” and effective government;

• CASEY MILLER, incumbent, has been ousted by his own employees, hounded by fanatics and stymied by a rival he helped appoint, but he hopes the election will bring a new paradigm;

• NICHOLLE MOODY has an MBA degree, a background in business and social services, and owns and operates a cab company in Depoe Bay;

• CARTER McENTEE is a businessman with an MBA degree and a keen interest in “honest and transparent government that’s focused on serving and uplifting our community;”

• CATHIE RIGBY has a background that includes public policy, economic development and housing;

• and DRU EARLS is a casino surveillance agent with a Ph.D. in chemistry.

Four people are seeking to fill the unexpired term of the late Clair Hall at Pos. 2, a two-year term. The county clerk said a majority winner will be installed immediately:

• MARCI BAKER, a Lincoln City city councilor and businesswoman with a degree in anthropology who owns Marci’s Bar & Bistro;

• CRISTEN DON, a marine biology professional of 20-plus years who calls herself as a “pragmatic problem-solver;”

• JOE D. STEERE, a north-county rancher and leader in the woodlot timber industry, has conservation cred as a soil and water district decision-maker;

• and EDDIE TOWNSEND, who has worked as a deckhand, teacher, coach and business owner, said he values economic growth and public safety.

The only commission race guaranteed not to be thrown into a runoff is for Pos. 3:

• WALTER CHUCK JR., a former water plant manager and director at the Port of Newport, Chuck was appointed two years ago by Hall and Miller after Kaety Jacobson suddenly resigned;

• and CURTIS LANDERS, a former Lincoln Co. Sheriff who retired in 2024 after a 30-plus-year career in law enforcement.

The story of how retired sheriff Curtis Landers emptied the field of contestants so he could go head-to-head with Walter Chuck for Pos. 3 could be cited in a master class of politics, but only if he prevails.

“I’m not going to underestimate him,” said Landers, who pledged to return “stability and accountability” to the courthouse. “But to make the changes we need, we have to have strategic allies on the board. If he won that would be hard to do. He’s got to go.”

Chuck, who once placed fourth in a five-way race for commission, has the ‘progressive’ vote in his pocket. But Landers, a powerful presence on any ballot, pledges to rescue hapless, disjointed Lincoln County.

Under state law, a runoff election will be conducted when there are more than two choices on the ballot and no choice receives a majority of the valid votes cast. The ballot in a runoff election (Nov.) will be the two choices that received the largest number of votes on the original ballot.