James Rhodes is leading Brad O’Neil in the race for Clackamas County Sheriff, according to initial election night returns. As of 8 p.m., Rhodes held 52% of the vote to O’Neil’s 48%, a lead of 5,300 votes.

Should the early results hold, Rhodes will finish out the remainder of Sheriff Angela Brandenburg’s term. Brandenburg prompted the need for the race when she suddenly retired over the summer with two years left on her term.

Brandenburg’s resignation and the election have led to discord on the Clackamas County Commission. In a split vote last month, the commission decided to launch an independent investigation into Brandenburg’s decision to retire and who may have known about it.

Commissioners disturbed by the sheriff’s retirement backed Rhodes, whom they voted to appoint as interim sheriff in July.

Commission Chair Craig Roberts, who served as sheriff for 15 years before Brandenburg, backed O’Neil.

The top priority for whoever is elected will be helping to pass a renewal of the county’s public safety levy in next May’s election. Voters rejected a measure that would have renewed and increased the levy earlier this year. Without the levy, funding for 17% of the sheriff’s office essential services is set to expire at the end of next June.

Rhodes worked at various ranks in the sheriff’s office between 1997 and his retirement in 2021. Commissioners brought him out of retirement to serve as interim sheriff following Brandenburg’s resignation.

O’Neil, currently an undersheriff, has worked at the office since 1999.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/11/03/clackamas-county-portland-oregon-sheriff-race-rhodes-o-neil/