‘Thank you for the opportunity to serve’: Vander Kamp claims victory; Bailey, Nelson call to congratulate sheriff-elect
(Update: adding video, comments from Vander Kamp, Bailey and Nelson)
Jillian Fortner interviewed Capt. Vander Kamp for a report at Five
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A new sheriff has been elected for the first time in a decade in Deschutes County. Deschutes County sheriff's Sergeant Kent Vander Kamp claimed victory Wednesday after defeating Captain William Bailey in the hotly contested race by nearly 20,000 votes.
As of Wednesday morning, Vander Kamp had garnered more than 59,000 votes, or 60%, compared to nearly 40,000 for Bailey, or 40%
Vander Kamp told us Wednesday, "I think their (voters') mandate last night was very clear, with such a huge margin, that their expectation is change. And that's the change I'm going to bring."
Vander Kamp's victory marks the end of a long contentious campaign to succeed retiring sheriff Shane Nelson, who had endorsed William Bailey as his successor.
Despite Vander Kamp's allegations of election interference, he says the numbers don't surprise him.
"My goal was for serving the people and bringing that that new perspective to the sheriff's office. And I didn't get sucked into all the the outside stuff." Vander Kamp said. "I knew who I am and what I'm about. And I think I was able to deliver that message to the voters."
The race between Vander Kamp and his longtime colleague sparked sharp divisions within the sheriff's office. However, Vander Kamp believes the unification of the workplace has already begun.
"It's amazing when you're in a roomful of people, or most of them are employees, and they're - they're crying with tears of joy about how we're going to bring the office back together," Vander Kamp said. "And that's even before I started."
Vander Kamp says he received congratulatory calls from both Bailey and Nelson. He also mentioned that he and Nelson have a plan in place for the transition.
He said he's ready to get to work.
"We're going to make some fiscal changes, going to 'diet,' as they say," Vander Kamp said. "And then right behind that is going to be reconnecting with our community. We're going to start dealing with the homelessness issue, the drug issue, and then we're going to start bringing the office back together and making some plans for growth."
But Vander Kamp also expressed concern about the number of undervotes.
"That tells me that there are some people that are still disenfranchised with the sheriff's office. So I want to get those people back to the table and reconnect with them as well." he said. "But, of course, thank you for this opportunity to serve."
Bailey, meanwhile, provided this statement to NewsChannel 21:
"I have called Kent Vander Kamp to concede the election for Deschutes County Sheriff. I am disappointed in the election results, but proud of the campaign we ran focused on our most pressing public safety issues, specific action plans, and a vision for moving forward. My race was grounded in truth, integrity, and my lifetime of service will continue. Throughout the campaign, no matter the outcome of the election, Kent and I have agreed public safety must be the top priority."
Current Sheriff Shane Nelson, who endorsed Bailey as his successor when he announced his retirement last year, also provided a brief statement Wednesday morning to NewsChannel 21:
“I called Sheriff-elect Vander Kamp and congratulated him. Our S. O. administration and I are going to ensure a strong transition to ensure Sheriff-elect Vander Kamp has what he needs to continue supporting our teammates and office in working for our community. We work with great people who work hard providing service and fulfilling the mission of our office.”
Here's the news release Vander Kamp issued Wednesday morning:
Kent Vander Kamp
Elected Deschutes County Sheriff !
November 6, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Deschutes County, OR — Kent Vander Kamp has won the election for Deschutes County Sheriff with a decisive victory, capturing nearly 20 percentage points more than his opponent and demonstrating a decisive mandate from the voters. This significant win reflects the community's trust in Kent Vander Kamp’s vision for public safety, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and solutions to pressing issues like homelessness, drugs, and crime in Deschutes County.
Vander Kamp’s campaign was fueled by the hard work of more than 40 volunteers, supportive Sheriff’s Office employees, and countless community supporters. The DCSO employee union and public safety leaders from across the region also endorsed and campaigned for Vander Kamp, recognizing his commitment to enhancing safety measures and fostering partnerships within the community.
In a celebration held in Bend last night, hundreds of supporters gathered to honor this milestone victory. Vander Kamp expressed deep gratitude to all who played a role in his campaign and the residents of Deschutes County for their trust and enthusiasm for his vision.
“We ran a campaign grounded in the needs of the people, and it’s clear from tonight’s outcome that Deschutes County is ready for positive change,” Vander Kamp said. “This win belongs to the entire community, and I am deeply honored to serve as your Sheriff. I look forward to working to create a safer, stronger, and more united Deschutes County.”
As he prepares to take office, Vander Kamp is committed to bringing fresh ideas and strong leadership to the Sheriff’s Office. He aims to work closely with residents, public safety leaders, and community organizations to create lasting, impactful change. Vander Kamp expressed his dedication to building a Sheriff’s Office that reflects the values and aspirations of Deschutes County, ensuring safety, accountability, and unity for all. "Together, we will shape a future we can all be proud of," Vander Kamp affirmed.
