Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson was re-elected Tuesday, defeating his challenger Scott Schaier.
Nelson was ahead with 56% of the vote.
Nelson was appointed to the position in 2015 to replace the retiring Larry Blanton. He was elected to the position in 2016.
Schaier is a School Resource Officer with the Bend Police Department.
The two ran one of the more contentious races in the region with Schaier questioning Nelson’s leadership and the sheriff pointing out his challenger’s experience.
Just a week ago, a group of women gathered for a news conference speaking for former employees of Nelson who claimed they experienced a toxic work environment at the sheriff’s office.
The event was organized by a consultant group hired to elect Schaier.
Nelson responded to the event saying many of the accusations were inaccurate.
