Lane County, Oregon

Lane County Sheriff

One candidate is tracked for Lane County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Carl Wilkerson. Candidate information follows official Lane County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Nonpartisan. Sheriff Carl Wilkerson, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners in June 2025 after Cliff Harrold's resignation, drew no opponent; per Lookout Eugene-Springfield, the Lane County Home Rule Charter requires the Sheriff's race to appear on the ballot even without opposition. If elected he begins a full four-year term January 4, 2027. 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. Four-year term. Every voter in Lane County votes on this seat. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

Oregon › Lane County › Lane County Sheriff

Carl Wilkerson

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Addressing inadequate patrol deputy staffing, citing rising thefts and limited traffic enforcement countywide
Using contracts, grants and regional law enforcement partnerships as staffing 'force multipliers.'
Supporting legislative changes to bail rules he says allow release of violent offenders without added restrictions

Per the per Lookout Eugene-Springfield.

Biography

Wilkerson, 51, of Creswell, has been a Lane County Sheriff's Office deputy since 1996, working in corrections, patrol, the Traffic Safety Team and criminal investigations before serving as chief deputy since 2019 and being appointed sheriff in June 2025, per Lookout Eugene-Springfield and KLCC. He holds a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Bushnell University, per Lookout Eugene-Springfield. No campaign website was found as of September 9, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Carl Wilkerson.

Next on your ballotLane County Assessor

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Lane County Sheriff in 2026?

When is the Lane 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 Lane 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 Lane 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 Lane County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Lane County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Oregon Senate District 4 Oregon Senate District 6 Oregon Senate District 7 See all 13 Lane County races

Candidate profiles

Carl Wilkerson, full profile Official Oregon election office