Deschutes voters dump incumbents for new leadership

Voters in Deschutes County are making their voice heard and looking for a new start as Commissioner Alan Unger and Bend City Councilor Doug Knight lost their seats on Tuesday.

Commissioner Unger, hoping to be elected to his third term, was defeated by Republican challenger Phil Henderson.

“I think there was, generally speaking, anti-incumbent mood in the country, in the Oregon race to a certain degree and locally here,” said Bend attorney, former mayor and political adviser Jeff Eager.

Eager said Unger needed to run an aggressive re-election campaign to hold on to his seat by spending money on campaign and radio ads, like his opponent Henderson did. to reach as many voters as possible.

Henderson, who works in the private sector, told NewsChannel 21 on Wednesday his campaign traveled to every corner of the county, speaking to voters about issues they face, like affordable housing.

Voters want somebody in office who’s hard-working person who looks at issues,” Henderson said.

New Bend City Council

Three new faces and one incumbent were elected to the Bend City Council for the next four years.

Justin Livingston, Bill Moseley and Bruce Abernethy are the three who will replace Jim Clinton, Doug Knight and Victor Chudowsky. Sally Russell was re-elected as councilor. beating Wade Fagen.

Knight was looking to be re-elected but lost his seat to tech CEO Moseley.

Moseley said he wants to build a bridge with local businesses after the current council made headlines by breaking with the Bend Chamber.

The council also caused some controversy with Bend-La Pine Schools, when they denied the rezoning change requested for Troy Field.

“The council has managed to tick off almost every part of the business community, and when people get really mad, they’re going to put resources in to make a difference,” Moseley said.

The new councilors will be sworn in the first week of January.