The Rogue Valley Briefing
Clear Insights into the Decisions Shaping Our Valley.
✓ Register to Vote2026 Election Guide
The next major election cycle runs through 2026, with a Primary on May 19 and a General Election on November 3. Below is a complete listing of every elected seat in each Rogue Valley jurisdiction — including who holds non-ballot seats — so you know exactly what's up for a vote and what isn't.
Ashland
November 3, 2026📋 Source: City of Ashland — Elections
🗳️ What these seats decide: Ashland's 6-member council (council-manager form since 2021) sets city policy while a professional City Manager handles daily operations. Councilors vote on the city budget, zoning, land use, housing policy, and environmental programs. 4 council seats are on the 2026 ballot — the voting bloc formed will shape Ashland's direction on housing, climate, and economic health through 2030.
| Position | Currently Held By | Term | 2026 Ballot? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Tonya Graham | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | Appointed Feb 2023; elected to full term Nov 2024 |
| City Council | Jeff Dahle | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | Elected 2024 to a 2-year short term; up again in 2026 |
| City Council | Eric Hansen | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | Elected 2022; term expires 2026 |
| City Council | Bob Kaplan | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | Elected 2022; term expires 2026 |
| City Council | Dereck Sherrell | 2 years* | ✅ On ballot | Appointed June 2025 to fill vacancy; appointees serve only until the next biennial election |
| City Council | Gina DuQuenne | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | Elected 2024 |
| City Council | Dylan Bloom | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | Elected 2024 |
Important: With four council seats on the ballot, the top three vote-getters win full 4-year terms, while the fourth-place finisher wins a 2-year term to complete the remainder of the vacant seat's cycle.
⚖️ Municipal Judge — Directly elected by Ashland voters. Presides over city court: traffic violations, ordinance infractions, misdemeanors, and warrant issuance within city limits. Voters previously rejected making this an appointed position — it remains democratically accountable.
🌳 Parks Commission — Ashland's Parks & Recreation Commission controls its own budget funded by a dedicated levy, independent of the council. Commissioners set policy for Lithia Park, trail systems, sports facilities, and open space. 3 of 5 seats are up in 2026.
🌳 Parks Commission — Ashland's Parks & Recreation Commission controls its own budget funded by a dedicated levy, independent of the council. Commissioners set policy for Lithia Park, trail systems, sports facilities, and open space. 3 of 5 seats are up in 2026.
| Position | Currently Held By | Term | 2026 Ballot? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal Judge | Ryan Mulkins | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | Voters rejected a measure to make this appointed — remains a directly elected race |
| Parks Commission | Jim Bachman | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | 3 of 5 Parks Commission seats are up in 2026 |
| Parks Commission | Justin Adams | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | |
| Parks Commission | Rick Landt | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | |
| Parks Commission | Traci Darrow | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | Elected 2024 |
| Parks Commission | Corinne Viéville | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 |
Medford
November 3, 2026📋 Source: City of Medford — City Council
🏛️ What these seats decide: Medford is Southern Oregon's largest city (~90,000 residents), operating under a council-manager structure. The 8-member council (2 per ward) sets policy on policing, zoning, housing, infrastructure, and the city budget. Each councilor must live in their ward. The Mayor presides over meetings and votes only to break ties — not on the 2026 ballot.
| Position | Currently Held By | Term | 2026 Ballot? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Michael Zarosinski | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 |
| City Council, Ward 1 (Position 1) | Jessica Ayres | 4 years | ✅ On ballot |
| City Council, Ward 2 (Position 1) | Zac Smith | 4 years | ✅ On ballot |
| City Council, Ward 3 (Position 1) | Kevin Stine | 4 years | ✅ On ballot |
| City Council, Ward 4 (Position 1) | Nick Card | 4 years | ✅ On ballot |
| City Council, Ward 1 (Position 2) | Alex Poythress | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 |
| City Council, Ward 2 (Position 2) | Mike Zarosinski | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 |
| City Council, Ward 3 (Position 2) | Chad Moore | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 |
| City Council, Ward 4 (Position 2) | Nathan Slayton | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 |
Phoenix
November 3, 2026📋 Source: City of Phoenix — City Council
🏛️ What these seats decide: Phoenix's council and mayor control zoning, land use, and city services for a community still rebuilding from the 2020 Almeda Fire. These seats have significant sway over housing policy, building permits, and post-disaster recovery funding. The Mayor serves a 2-year term and is back on the 2026 ballot.
| Position | Currently Held By | Term | 2026 Ballot? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Al Muelhoefer | 2 years | ✅ On ballot | Elected Nov 2024 defeating incumbent Terry Baker; 2-year term up in 2026 |
| City Council, Place 1 | Krista Peterson | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | Term expires 2026 |
| City Council, Place 2 | Jim Snyder | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | Term expires 2026 |
| City Council, Place 3 | John Higgins | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | Term expires 2026 |
| City Council, Places 4–7 | (4 seats, elected 2024) | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | Elected Nov 2024; serve through Dec 2028 |
Talent
November 3, 2026📋 Source: City of Talent — City Council
🏛️ What these seats decide: Like Phoenix, Talent is rebuilding post-Almeda. The council approves land use, housing permits, and the city budget, directly shaping the pace and form of the community's recovery. The elected Mayor (4-year term, last elected 2022) is also on the 2026 ballot along with 3 council seats.
| Position | Currently Held By | Term | 2026 Ballot? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Darby Ayers-Flood | 4 years | ✅ On ballot |
| City Council, Seat 1 | Colette Paré-Miller | 4 years | ✅ On ballot |
| City Council, Seat 3 | David Pastizzo | 4 years | ✅ On ballot |
| City Council, Seat 5 | Eleanor Ponomareff | 4 years | ✅ On ballot |
| City Council, Seats 2, 4, 6 | (3 seats, elected 2024) | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 |
Grants Pass
November 3, 2026📋 Source: City of Grants Pass — City Council
🏛️ What these seats decide: Grants Pass is Josephine County's largest city. The council sets policy on policing, parks, housing, and local ordinances — including homelessness enforcement policies that reached the Supreme Court in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024). The 4 ward-based Position 2 seats up in 2026 will shape this policy direction through 2030. Mayor Clint Scherf was elected in 2024 and is not up until 2028.
| Position | Currently Held By | Term | 2026 Ballot? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Clint Scherf | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | Elected Nov 2024 |
| City Council, Ward 1 (Position 1) | Indra Nicholas | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | Elected 2024 |
| City Council, Ward 2 (Position 1) | Victoria Marshall | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | |
| City Council, Ward 3 (Position 1) | Erich Schloegl | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | |
| City Council, Ward 4 (Position 1) | Kathleen Krohn | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | |
| City Council, Ward 1 (Position 2) | Rob Pell | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | Term expires Dec 31, 2026 |
| City Council, Ward 2 (Position 2) | Rick Riker | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | |
| City Council, Ward 3 (Position 2) | Dwight Faszer II | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | |
| City Council, Ward 4 (Position 2) | Joel King | 4 years | ✅ On ballot |
Jacksonville
November 3, 2026📋 Source: City of Jacksonville — City Council
🏛️ What these seats decide: Jacksonville's council governs a small, nationally recognized historic district. Decisions on preservation rules, tourism management, business licensing, and event permitting define the character of the community. Mayor Donna Bowen was re-elected in 2024 for a 4-year term and is not up in 2026.
| Position | Currently Held By | Term | 2026 Ballot? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Donna Bowen | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | Re-elected Nov 2024 |
| City Council | Steve Casaleggio | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | Elected 2024 |
| City Council | John Jorgenson | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | |
| City Council | Andrea Thompson | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | |
| City Council | Ken Gregg | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | Elected 2022; term expires 2026 |
| City Council | Talon Reed | 4 years | ✅ On ballot | |
| City Council | Andrew Hellenthal | 4 years | ✅ On ballot |
Jackson County
Primary: May 19 · General: Nov 3, 2026📋 Sources: Jackson County Elected Officials · Oregon Votes
🏢 County Commissioner — The Board of Commissioners holds executive, legislative, and quasi-judicial authority over all of Jackson County. They set a budget of hundreds of millions of dollars, oversee the Sheriff and DA, manage unincorporated land, fund public health, operate the county jail, maintain roads, and can declare emergencies. Every county resident — city or rural — is affected by their decisions.
🚔 County Sheriff — Directly elected and independently accountable only to voters. The Sheriff polices all unincorporated areas, operates the county jail, leads Search & Rescue, and serves court orders countywide. One of the most consequential elected positions in the county.
📋 County Clerk — Nonpartisan chief elections official. Administers every election, maintains voter rolls, certifies results, and keeps all county public records (deeds, mortgages, minutes). Foundational to democratic integrity.
🚔 County Sheriff — Directly elected and independently accountable only to voters. The Sheriff polices all unincorporated areas, operates the county jail, leads Search & Rescue, and serves court orders countywide. One of the most consequential elected positions in the county.
📋 County Clerk — Nonpartisan chief elections official. Administers every election, maintains voter rolls, certifies results, and keeps all county public records (deeds, mortgages, minutes). Foundational to democratic integrity.
| Position | Incumbent | Term | 2026 Ballot? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Commissioner, Position 1 | Rick Dyer | 4 years | ✅ On ballot (Primary May 19) | Term expires 2026 |
| County Commissioner, Position 2 | Colleen Roberts | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | Elected 2024 |
| County Commissioner, Position 3 | Danny Jordan | 4 years | ✅ On ballot (Primary May 19) | Term expires 2026 |
| Jackson County Sheriff | Nathan Sickler | 4 years | ✅ On ballot (Primary May 19) | Term expires 2026 |
| County Clerk | Chris Walker | 4 years | ✅ On ballot (Primary May 19) | Term expires 2026 |
Josephine County
Primary: May 19 · General: Nov 3, 2026📋 Sources: Josephine County Board of Commissioners · Oregon Votes
🏢 County Commissioner — The Board of Commissioners has faced immense upheaval in early 2026. Following Commissioner Andreas Blech's resignation in Dec 2025 and a successful voter recall of Commissioner Chris Barnett in Jan 2026, a temporary board appointed Gary Richardson and Colene Martin as interim replacements in February 2026 to govern alongside Ron Smith. Their interim terms expire in Jan 2027, making the November 2026 election critical for long-term stability.
🚔 County Sheriff — The Sheriff polices all unincorporated areas and operates the county jail. Currently held by Dave Daniel (re-elected 2022 to a third term), this 4-year position is set to appear on the 2026 ballot.
🧾 County Assessor — The Assessor determines the value of all taxable property in the county. Chris Parton currently holds this role on a 4-year term, and is not up for election until 2028.
🚔 County Sheriff — The Sheriff polices all unincorporated areas and operates the county jail. Currently held by Dave Daniel (re-elected 2022 to a third term), this 4-year position is set to appear on the 2026 ballot.
🧾 County Assessor — The Assessor determines the value of all taxable property in the county. Chris Parton currently holds this role on a 4-year term, and is not up for election until 2028.
| Position | Incumbent | Term | 2026 Ballot? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Commissioner | Gary Richardson | 4 years | ✅ On ballot (Primary May 19) | Appointed Feb 2026 to fill vacancy; interim term expires Jan 2027 |
| County Commissioner | Colene Martin | 4 years | ✅ On ballot (Primary May 19) | Appointed Feb 2026 to fill vacancy; interim term expires Jan 2027 |
| County Commissioner | Ron Smith | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | Only remaining commissioner from prior to the 2025/2026 mass vacancies |
| County Sheriff | Dave Daniel | 4 years | ✅ On ballot (Primary May 19) | Re-elected in 2022 to a third term; term expires 2026 |
| County Assessor | Chris Parton | 4 years | Not up — expires 2028 | Elected to a 4-year term; not up in 2026 |