Columbia County ballots due Tuesday
Columbia County primary ballots are due Tuesday.
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Incumbent Kellie Jo Smith of St. Helens is facing Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole and Deer Island resident Jonathan Barclay in the race for Columbia County commissioner position 2.
A five-year replacement property tax levy for Columbia County 911 Communications is also on the ballot.
The rate of $0.29 per $1,000 of assessed property value is the same rate that passed in 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018, according to the Columbia County voters guide.
Kellie Jo Smith
Kellie Jo Smith
Proponents in the guide say emergency calls have more than doubled in the past decade, so funding is needed to sustain services. Opponents say the department has too much budgeted for capital projects, which should not be funded by levies, as those should only cover operations.
Ballots are due in Oregon drop boxes by 8 p.m. Tuesday or be postmarked by Election Day.
Commissioners
The county commissioner race is nonpartisan.
The top two vote getters move on to the general election, but if someone receives more than 50% of the vote, that person is the automatic winner.
Smith is serving in her first term on the Columbia County board.
The St. Helens High School graduate's campaign website says her family has owned and operated Oregon Trail Lanes, the city's bowling alley, since 1981.
She was elected to the St. Helens School District Board three times, serving as co-chair to secure a bond to build new schools, and also previously volunteered as a reserve deputy for the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
Cole's campaign website says he has served as Rainier mayor for over 23 years.
Jerry Cole
Jerry Cole
The Columbia County voter's guide says he is retired from firefighting, having served with Columbia River Fire & Rescue.
The Rainier High School graduate has also served on the Columbia 911 board, a Rainier School District budget committee, and the Columbia County local public safety coordinating council, the guide states.
Barclay has spent decades working in construction and hotel maintenance, according to the voters guide.
The Hillsboro High School graduate has served on the county planning commission, a Columbia 911 budget committee and as a Republican precinct committee officer.
Jonathan Barclay
Jonathan Barclay
Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify information about Kellie Jo Smith.
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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 4:28 AM.