Decision 2026: Cummiskey’s Campaign for Bend City Council Gains Momentum with Endorsements
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bobbi Cummiskey's campaign for Bend City Council Seat Six has received endorsements from outgoing Councilor Mike Riley and commissioner-elect Jamie Collins of Deschutes County.
Councilor Riley currently holds the City Council seat Cummiskey is seeking. Commissioner-elect Collins is set to serve Deschutes County. Cummiskey's campaign focuses on responsible growth, better transit, housing affordability, and building a Bend that works for all residents.
Cummiskey is a climate and public transportation professional and a former engineering geologist. She lives in Bend with her partner and two young children and her decision to run for City Council stems from her commitment to the community.
Outgoing Councilor Riley outlined three reasons for his endorsement. He highlighted Cummiskey's valuable private and public sector experience for policy-making. Riley also noted her deep care for the community, particularly regarding a robust transit system and a resilient growth plan for Bend's future in a hotter, drier climate. He praised her thoughtful, listening-first approach to policy-making. “I'm endorsing Bobbi for three reasons,” Riley said. “First, Bobbi has valuable private and public sector experience to inform her policy-making. Second, Bobbi cares deeply about our community and two issues important to our future: building a more robust transit system and ensuring our next growth plan sets Bend up to be resilient in a hotter, drier future. And finally, because Bobbi is a thoughtful woman who will bring a listening-first approach to policy-making. She'll make a great city councilor.”
Commissioner-elect Collins of Deschutes County emphasized Cummiskey's ability to navigate disagreements and build consensus. Collins stated that Cummiskey treats people with respect while holding her ground, allowing her to find paths forward. “I have watched Cummiskey do the one thing you cannot teach in public service: walk into a room full of people who disagree, listen to every one of them and still find a path forward,” Collins said. “She treats people she disagrees with respect, holds her ground on what she believes is wrong and gets right back to building consensus. As Bend grows faster than almost any city in the Pacific Northwest, we need her practical experience weighing what our choices mean for our climate, our water and the environment that makes this place worth living in.”
Cummiskey expressed gratitude for the endorsements. She noted that Bend is at a pivotal moment, attracting people because of its special qualities and that the City Council's role is to preserve those qualities. “Councilor Riley's and commissioner-elect Collins' endorsements mean the world to me,” Cummiskey said. “Bend is at a pivotal moment — people are drawn here because this place is special and our job on City Council is to make sure it stays that way. I'm running because I believe we can grow a community that is sustainable and affordable, where people make decisions based on their values. That's the Bend I want to build and I'm grateful to have Mike and Jamie's trust as we do this work together.”
Cummiskey currently serves on the board of Commute Options, a regional nonprofit advocating for transportation choices across Central Oregon. She also participates in the Cascade East Transit Regional Public Transportation Advisory Committee and volunteers with the Deschutes Democrats. More information about her campaign is available at bobbiforbend.com. Media inquiries can be directed to Courtney Voss at vote@bobbiforbend.com or 215-909-0267.
Voters will decide the Seat 6 race on Nov. 3, 2026.
