Alan Heel, 68, of Hermiston, expresses his grievances Jan. 3, 2024, with Umatilla County code enforcement that is affecting his property, outside the county courthouse in Pendleton. Heel is running for the Position 3 on the county board of commissioners against the incumbent, Dan Dorran.

UMATILLA COUNTY — Umatilla County Commissioner Dan Dorran seeks reelection while facing a challenge from Alan Heel.

Dorran and Heel were to face off at a candidates forum Sept. 19 at Hermiston City Hall, but Heel, of Hermiston, did not show up.

Dorran is running for a second term and took the opportunity to plead his case and highlighted to the crowd his experience as commissioner.

Among the achievements, Dorran touted raising the sheriff’s office budget by 41%, putting together a commissioners manual, creating the county logo and helping to develop a homeless outreach program — Project PATH in Hermiston.

“I think being able to work with all the communities within Umatilla County is my biggest accomplishment,” Dorran said. “I think that we’ve done that as a team. I was lucky because I had a lot of connections and relationships throughout the county but it has been a joy working with the mayors and managers throughout to come to some kind of collaborative resolution.”

Dorran also said he has unfinished business with projects underway, such as getting sufficient funding for the highway trust fund and addressing the nitrate issue in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area.

The East Oregonian sought comment from Heel, but he did not respond.

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters can check their registration online through the Oregon Secretary of State, and must register by Oct. 15 to receive a ballot.

More information on the Umatilla County commissioner race, local races and ballot measures is available at county websites.