Decision 2026: WATCH – Candidates for Redmond Mayor Debate
Editor's Note: This debate aired at 6 pm on October 1, 2026 on KFXO-TV
LIVE BLOG:
6:50 PM - Patrick's closing statement: He's had 26 years volunteering as a city councilor, been apart of watching how the City works, worked with many people with diverse ideas and gotten along with them all. He will retire from his 27-year career (outside of council) if elected Mayor. He has 50 years of experience and qualifications and has worked in finding solutions for people his entire career. He noted three previous Mayors have endorsed him and he hopes to gain voters' trust.
6:48 PM - Fitch's closing statement: It's been an honor to serve as Mayor. Water is a critical issue. Central Oregon - all cities - only use 3% of our water -- solutions will be tough but is looking for ways to work with other agencies. Balance community geographically to assist transportation flow and housing -- take pressure off of Highway 97. Believes the east side of Redmond will continue to grow and bring jobs to community.
6:46 PM - Webster Baer's closing statement: Focus is on making Redmond a tech hub. He wants to create programs for Redmond and the State of Oregon that would cost taxpayers no money because they'd be run by volunteers and private donors, use AI and socials -- says Oregon does politics right and we need a larger online presence with these programs to lead by example with transparency.
6:43 PM - Aaron asked about raising water rates. Webster Baer replied saying water is a major issue in Central Oregon and we need to reduce our usage -- if raising prices achieves that, he supports it to protect our aquifer, and wants to protect our water. Fitch replied saying Redmond's water rate is very low comparatively speaking and believes the tiered-approach will help encourage people to conserve. Patrick replied saying he does not agree with the tiered-approached because it raises cost of living for Redmond residents.
6:40 PM - Spencer asked for clarification on Webster Baer's claim that homeless are being moved to Redmond. Fitch replied saying that is not the case. Patrick replied, agreeing with Fitch, and mentioning that many people have fallen on hard times and need assistance to find permanent housing. Webster Baer was asked to clarify where his claim came from -- he said he has heard it from locals and what he's seen. Fitch asked for a chance to reply, saying the homeless population has not grown in Redmond.
6:36 PM - Aaron asked about $26 million spent to assist homelessness and how we can address the issue itself. Fitch replied saying he doesn't know where that number came from but spoke of the organizations the City of Redmond been assisting along with County officials, goal to clear up areas and help people find a way into permanent housing. Spencer clarified the figure came from federal and state grants over many years. Patrick replied saying he doesn't think we can 'spend on our way into a solution' and we need to get the root of the problem -- mental health and addiction issues. Webster Baer said the City of Bend and Deschutes County has decided to 'put all their homeless people in Redmond', wants to create an area in Millican for the homeless community to support them. Fitch asked to reply -- he said a lot of homeless are those who have slipped through the cracks or fallen on hard times, not just mental health illness or addiction.
6:32 PM - Spencer asked Webster Baer to expand on legalizing 'magic mushrooms'. Webster Baer said it's already legal in Bend but you 'have to spend $5,000 and hang out with street people' and thinks it should be more available. Fitch replied saying he supports them for medical purposes, but he doesn't believe Redmond has a need to be able to buy them in the store. Patrick replied saying it's on the ballot, though he also doesn't believe there's a need for it.
6:28 PM - Spencer asked about the cap on marijuana dispensaries in Redmond. Webster Baer supports more dispensaries in Redmond, noted Bend has many more and we should have a free market -- believes Redmond residents should be able to grow and sell their own marijuana, including online, and supports allowing 'magic mushrooms' to 'make tons of cash'. Fitch replied saying they have two -- one in north and one in south -- because residents supported it and may increase if population grows but so far would keep it at two. Patrick replied saying it was passed years ago, he did not agree with it but he respects it -- as long as the police don't see a problem and laws are followed, he's fine with it. Fitch asked to add a comment -- he noted the financial benefit from their revenue and has not had any negative impacts thus far.
6:26 PM - Aaron asked about Redmond Airport, its expansion, and manager stepping down. Patrick replied saying council was asked to direct all Redmond Airport questions to Heather. Fitch replied saying the interim director has already stepped in, expansion is on time and under budget, and believes it will be a success. Webster Baer wants transparency in the expansion, to be proactive in long-term planning that everyone can see and understand.
6:23 PM - Spencer asked about managing economic growth and development in Redmond. Fitch replied with saying Redmond has gone out of their way to be easy to work with for businesses bringing good jobs to the community, referenced the pro-business mindset he's brought and development of land in east Redmond for businesses. Patrick mentioned Nossler's recent opening in Redmond, noted industrial land available near airport that will enable large businesses to come in. Webster Baer wants Redmond to become a big 'tech hub', wants to work with council to bring in tech businesses.
6:21 PM - Aaron asked about managing growth in Redmond. Webster Baer replied saying he will make sure those constructing residences in Redmond would have to be building apartments and zone the land in that fashion, may want to expand urban growth boundary to help with housing crisis. Fitch replied with frustration with micro-management from state on zoning regulations, wants to add housing where there is not already a traffic issue. Patrick replied saying managing growth is tough because many want to live here but we don't have the jobs to support cost of living, state is chipping away at opportunities.
6:16 PM - Spencer asked about fireworks ban in Redmond. Patrick replied saying it has already been decided -- there will be no fireworks in the city of Redmond, though he doesn't totally agree with it and may try a different approach if he is elected. Fitch replied saying it's a tough decision as he loves fireworks, but has to address the severe drought and the fires caused even by legal fireworks -- believes the ban is an appropriate action and may reconsider if drought ends. Webster Baer replied saying he fully supports the ban on fireworks in Redmond, though he would consider changing it if voters were passionate about it.
6:11 PM - Aaron with The Source asked about traffic cameras and balancing safety with privacy. Fitch replied with red light cameras being something he supports, hopes speeding will be reduced with cameras in place, and said he does not support flock cameras. Patrick replied saying the cameras' purpose were to change driver behavior and he will want to re-evaluate in a year to see if that's the case. Webster Baer replied saying whatever cameras are there he would leave operational, but he would not bring on any new cameras.
6:08 PM - Spencer with KTVZ News asked candidates about the biggest issues they believe Redmond is facing right now. Webster Baer replied with water, housing, and affordability. Fitch replied with water and transportation. Patrick replied with building and infrastructure priorities and water.
6:06 PM - Charles Webster Baer's opening statement: Began with asking for your vote. Focus and main priority is depopulation. Wants Redmond to become a depopulationist city in 2027. Believes Oregonians are leaders for change and that's what we need.
6:04 PM - Ed Fitch's opening statement: Began with a reminder to register to vote. Elected Mayor in 1998 and accomplished large infrastructure projects, economic development to support local citizens. Believes we are in an acute situation with water, housing, and affordability and is working with multiple agencies for solutions. Referenced his years of success as Mayor.
6:01 PM - Jay Patrick's opening statement: Believes Redmond needs a change and is at a crossroads. There's a lot coming in the next four years. Stated he has a team mindset to leadership and finding best solutions through collaborative efforts. Addresses the 'elephant in the room' of his voice - he was diagnosed with a neurological disease at a young age and the procedure to address it affected his voice.
5:58 PM - The debate has begun on FOX, KTVZ.com, the KTVZ News App and KTVZ+
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As part of KTVZ News' debate series, The Central Oregon Debates, this week the KTVZ News will host the candidates for Redmond Mayor.
Candidates Charles Webster-Baer, Ed Fitch and Jay Patrick are scheduled to appear LIVE on Thursday at 6:00 pm on FOX due to NBC's coverage of the MLB Playoffs.
The forum will be moderated by Lee Anderson. The broadcast panel will feature Spencer Sacks, KTVZ’s political reporter, and Aaron Switzer, founder and publisher of The Source.
This event offers the candidates an opportunity to address critical issues facing the City of Redmond and outline their strategic priorities for voters ahead of the upcoming election.
Viewers can tune in to the Redmond Mayoral debate this Thursday at 6:00 pm on FOX or stream the event live via KTVZ.com, the KTVZ News App and KTVZ+.
