Deschutes Sheriff Nelson files to seek full term
Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson, who was appointed sheriff by county commissioners when Larry Blanton retired earlier this year, filed formal papers Thursday to run for a four-year term in 2016.
NewsChannel 21 was on hand Thursday morning when Nelson submitted his official election bid at the county clerk’s office, with Blanton and his predecessor, Les Stiles, on hand in a show of support.
“I wanted to be here before the doors open, to show the citizens I serve that I am committed to this office,” Nelson said.
Just two months into the job, Nelson said he wants to make it permanent for the next four years.
“It’s a very serious commitment. I don’t take it lightly,” Nelson said.
The native Central Oregonian said he is ready to take on the title permanently, and the big job that comes with it.
“We still respond to every call for service,” Nelson said.
The calls he’s responded to have prompted the changes he would like to see as sheriff.
“We really want to work on alternatives to the criminal justice system that respond to those with mental health issues,” Nelson said.
Nelson was serving in his previous role, as jail captain, when inmate Edwin Mays died from a drug overdose late last year, sparking an investigation into the Deschutes County Jail by the state Department of Justice.
Nelson said he doesn’t believe the issue will hurt his chances of winning a full term.
“We’re in the emergency business, and we can’t always dictate the kind of emergencies we are going to handle,” Nelson said.
Still, he said, the incident was a tough lesson for the department.
“We don’t rest. We are always trying to better what we do,” Nelson said.
Thursday was the first day to file for offices on the May primary ballot, said County Clerk Nancy Blankenship.
If one or two people file to seek the sheriff’s position, it will be on the November ballot. If more than two file, they would be on the May ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to November.
