Sisters Mayor Jennifer Letz announces bid for Board of County Commissioners
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Sisters Mayor Jennifer Letz announced her candidacy for seat 5 of the Deschutes County Commission on Tuesday. Letz, who has served on the Sisters City Council since 2021, is running for a position that county voters recently designated as nonpartisan.
The announcement comes ahead of the May 19 primary election. Letz, a Central Oregon native and Bend High School graduate, said her experience as a city official and small-business owner has prepared her to manage the diverse needs of the county's residents.
Letz is a small-business owner who has served as a member of the Sisters City Council since 2021. Her professional background includes work as a wildland firefighter, backcountry park ranger and sustainability specialist.
A graduate of Bend High School, Letz is also the parent of a middle school student. The mayor addressed the nonpartisan nature of the commission positions, which was established by a county ballot measure.
"Deschutes County voters passed a ballot measure that ensures the Deschutes County Commission positions are nonpartisan, and I truly believe I am a candidate who fits that mandate," Letz said. "Voters don't want partisan decision-making to affect their lives. My experience as an open-minded problem-solver who has a track record of managing multiple stakeholders with diverse needs uniquely qualifies me for this role."
During her tenure on the city council, Letz worked with nonprofit organizations, government agencies and elected officials on local issues. She cited improvements to healthcare access, daycare and housing as primary accomplishments.
"I've collaborated with citizens and community leaders on a number of complex issues during my time on the council," Letz said. "We've improved access to health care and daycare, supported the creation of a wider variety of housing options, and ensured a more wildfire resilient future - challenges that face all communities and residents in Deschutes County."
Letz noted that her previous work on the council serves as a model for her approach to county government.
"I'm very proud to point to these successes as examples of my commitment to finding common ground and creative solutions," Letz said.
She also highlighted her background in land management as a tool for future decision-making. "I will bring my experience in planning and technical land use decisions to create informed and realistic solutions to real problems affecting the residents of Deschutes County," she said.
