Clackamas County commission races flip board’s conservative bloc

The decision by Clackamas County voters to fire two Republican commissioners significantly shifts the political dynamic of the five-person board.

Chair Tootie Smith and Commissioner Mark Shull, both conservative Republicans, lost their reelection bids to Democrats.

Craig Roberts , the retired Clackamas County sheriff, captured 57% of the vote to Smith's 43%, while small business owner Melissa Fireside drew 52% to Shull's 48% in a race called Tuesday by The Oregonian/OregonLive.

With nearly all ballots counted as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, Fireside had a lead of nearly 6,000 votes that Shull will not be able to overcome based on the news organization's analysis of the results.

The ouster of Smith and Shull, who each made headlines for polarizing stands on COVID-19, breaks up the nonpartisan board's conservative bloc, which includes Commissioner Ben West.

Commissioner Paul Savas is also a Republican; Commissioner Martha Schrader is the board's lone Democrat.

"I think that the commission is going to be so much more functional," said Sonya Fischer, a former commissioner and Democrat who lost in 2022 to West.

"It might be boring ... because they'll just get the work done," Fischer said.

Roberts declared victory last Thursday, saying he is "deeply honored by Clackamas County voters' vote of confidence in our mission to bring integrity, accountability and financial responsibility back" to the county chair position.

"I'm ready to work hard and bring people together to work on our challenges, protect what makes Clackamas County an incredible place to live and work, and to lead with transparency, respect and honesty," Roberts said in a statement.

In an interview, Roberts said he would make a "financial deep dive into the current county budget" a top priority. He said he'll also scrutinize the county's plan to pay for the new courthouse. Funding the courthouse project was among Roberts' campaign issues.

He also questioned the county commission's decision, which Smith endorsed, to use a private contractor to design, build and maintain the courthouse, projected to be finished in 2025 at a cost of $313 million.

"My goal is to really bring transparency to this," he said. "I think that's just critically important to provide this transparency on how much does this really cost and what impact is it going to be for the county?"

He said he'll also prioritize the county's response to homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction and helping people with mental illness. He said he's in the process of putting together a transition team.

Roberts said he also would take "a hard look" at the county's decision this year to disband the its equity and inclusion office.

He will bring a different leadership style than Smith, he said, and plans to "listen and validate the concerns that people have."

"I just believe I have an ability to kind of bring people together, figure out a mission and vision and goals and then kind of push the envelope to get there with some sense of urgency," he said.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Smith called serving as chair "a real privilege."

"To everyone who supported this campaign, please know that my commitment to Clackamas County doesn't end here," Smith said. "I will always work to protect our community and strengthen our future."

Amid the pandemic and the restrictions imposed by then-Gov. Kate Brown, Smith went on Fox News announcing her plans to host a large Thanksgiving gathering despite Brown's order limiting social gatherings to try to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Smith is a familiar name in Oregon politics. She was first elected to the county Board of Commissioners in 2012, but lost a bid for reelection in 2016. She served in the Oregon House and was later elected chair, succeeding Democrat Jim Bernard.

She campaigned on a message of continuity.

Shull, 72, a military veteran from Sandy, ran against Fireside, 43, a construction management consultant who lives in Lake Oswego. Four years ago, she lost her bid for a seat on the Lake Oswego City Council.

Shull and Fireside did not immediately comment on the outcome of their race.

Shull, first elected in 2020, made waves early in his tenure. In 2021, he faced backlash after sharing a meme on his Facebook account that appeared to compare COVID-19 health restrictions to the Holocaust. Fireside, a Democrat, said she ran to bring "prosperity and a competitive edge" to the county.

Commissioners are elected to four-year terms; each receives a salary of $130,213.