Deschutes County, Oregon

Deschutes County Sheriff

2 candidates are tracked for Deschutes County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Ty Rupert and James (Mac) McLaughlin. Candidate information follows official Deschutes County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Incumbent Sheriff Ty Rupert, appointed to the office in summer 2025, faces challenger James "Mac" McLaughlin, a detective lieutenant in the sheriff's office, per news reporting. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

What this office does

Sheriff. The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement agency, operates the county jail, provides courthouse security and serves court papers such as warrants, subpoenas and evictions. In many counties the sheriff's office is the primary police force for areas outside city limits. The sheriff hires deputies and manages the office's budget within what the county board approves.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. Every voter in Deschutes County votes on this seat.

Oregon › Deschutes County › Deschutes County Sheriff

Ty Rupert

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Rebuilding public trust in the Sheriff's Office
Supporting deputies and staff
Fiscal accountability and long-term stability

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Rupert is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a 20-year member of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office who was appointed Interim Sheriff by the county's Board of Commissioners in July 2025, per his campaign site. He also spent 15 years in the private sector, including as Vice President of a Bend-based manufacturing company, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

James (Mac) McLaughlin

Nonpartisan

Biography

McLaughlin is a detective lieutenant who has worked at the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office for more than 18 years, per The Bulletin. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.

Next on your ballotDeschutes County Treasurer

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Deschutes County Sheriff in 2026?

When is the Deschutes County Sheriff election in Oregon?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Oregon are on the Oregon election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Deschutes County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Deschutes County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Oregon election office, or see the full Deschutes County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Deschutes County ballot

10 tracked races in Deschutes County, Oregon. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Oregon House District 53 Oregon House District 54 Oregon House District 55 See all 10 Deschutes County races

Candidate profiles

Ty Rupert, full profile James (Mac) McLaughlin, full profile Official Oregon election office