Clackamas County chair race injects partisan factor into nonpartisan contest — again

Clackamas County Chair Race 2024

Former Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts is running against incumbent Clackamas County Chair Tootie Smith to lead the county government. If Smith wins reelection in the May 21 primary, it will be first time a county chair has kept the seat since 2008. Courtesy of campaigns

No Clackamas County Commission chair has won reelection since 2008, leaving the nonpartisan position seesawing between Democrats and Republicans every term since.

This year, incumbent Tootie Smith — an outspoken Republican raised on a farm and steeped in elected politics since her days in the state House two decades ago — hopes to change that.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.