Sheriff candidate · Clackamas County · November 3, 2026
James Rhodes
Appointed sheriff; former undersheriff and Wilsonville police chief.
Reach the campaign
- electsheriffrhodes.com (opens in a new tab)
- info@electsheriffrhodes.com
- (503) 673-3973
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As published in their pamphlet statement and campaign site.
In their words
Said: I was born and raised in Clackamas County, where Patti and I raised our daughter and owned a small business.
Pamphlet p. 16
Candidate statement · November 2026 edition; extracted September 21, 2026
Clackamas County voters’ pamphlet · PDF page 16 ↗Skipped the “SHERIFF JAMES RHODES” heading and the “Proven. Local. Trusted.” labels. Verbatim opening of the candidate's own statement; publication by the county does not verify the claims.
The verbatim opening of their voters’ pamphlet statement, the same rule for every candidate. We chose nothing.
What they say they would do
Our summary of their platform, in our wordsPrioritizes frontline operations, traffic enforcement and serious-crime investigations.
- Protect patrol, jail and investigative services.
- Improve property-crime follow-up and restore traffic and DUII enforcement.
- Target fentanyl traffickers and coordinate with prosecutors.
Our reading
Our interpretation, not their wordsThe appointed incumbent names operational priorities more clearly than their cost; restoring traffic enforcement and adding property-crime follow-up implies staffing the statement does not quantify.
Where they stand
Homelessness and housing
Not foundNot found in the sources we reviewed. That is a research gap, not a position.
Crisis care, jail and deflection
Traffic and fentanyl focus- What
- Said: Would protect patrol, jail and investigative services, restore traffic and DUII (impaired-driving) enforcement, follow up on property crimes and target fentanyl traffickers.
- How
- Said: Budget savings found in fourth-floor administration, discretionary spending and programs before front-line services; partnerships with the District Attorney, courts, contract cities, schools and emergency-management partners.
- Measured by
- Not in their sources
Taxes and the budget gap
Cut administration first- What
- Said: Would start budget cuts at the top (administration, discretionary spending and programs) before front-line services, and report the budget publicly.
- How
- Said: Every dollar examined against one question, whether it helps the office conserve the peace and serve residents, starting with administrative overhead.
- Measured by
- Said: Regular public budget reporting with quarterly updates so taxpayers can see whether the office is staying on track.
Roads, bridges and air
Not foundNot found in the sources we reviewed. That is a research gap, not a position.
The choices this office faces
Every candidate in this race is asked the same 3 questions. James Rhodes is on record on 3. A question without an answer is a research gap, not a position.
On recordIf voters reject a levy again in May 2027, which levy-funded services go first?
Said: Says that when budgets are tight he starts with fourth-floor administration, discretionary spending and programs that must show value before cutting services residents depend on; which levy-funded services would go first is unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid.
When the Sheriff's Office budget shrinks, cut administration and programs before patrol and jail?
Said: Would find savings in top administration, discretionary spending and programs before touching patrol, corrections, detectives and parole and probation, with quarterly public budget reports.
Make response times in rural and unincorporated areas a measured priority?
Said: Would improve response times with more visible patrols and restore traffic and DUII enforcement; rural and unincorporated areas are not singled out.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid.
A question the evidence leaves open
What staffing or spending would change to restore traffic enforcement?
Sources (2)
- Clackamas County voters’ pamphlet · PDF page 16Candidate statement · November 2026 edition; reviewed September 18, 2026Written by the candidate or campaign. Publication by the county does not verify the claims.
- Rhodes · the planCandidate statement · Website reviewed September 21, 2026Campaign position. Claimed results and numerical premises have not automatically been independently verified.