UMATILLA COUNTY — Two Port of Umatilla commissioners face challenges in the May 20 special election from opponents who have had careers in the public eye.

Bob Blanc is looking to serve another term in Position 1 on the Port of Umatilla Commission and faces a challenge from Dave Drotzmann, former Hermiston mayor. And Paul Chalmers, former Umatilla County assessor, seeks to oust incumbent Jerry Simpson in Position 3.

Several school board seats also are on the ballot.

Incumbent Vice Chair Emily Smith is seeking reelection to Position 1 on the Helix School District board and faces a challenge from local farmer and rancher Bobby Corey.

In the Hermiston School District, Sally Anderson-Hansell is not running for reelection, while Phillip Spicerkuhn and Shay Kennison-Beachy are vying for Position 4. Mark Millard and Chris Elliott are seeking Position 6, as Karen Sherman is not seeking reelection for her seat.

Ryan DeGrofft, regional development officer at Business Oregon, and Kendall Rosario, Title VI Youth Services manager for the Education Department of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, are running for the vacant Position 4 seat on the Pendleton School District board.

In the Stanfield School District, Incumbent Nikki McCann faces a challenge from Aileen Gabriel for the Position 4 seat.  Janice Sue Mills is not seeking reelection for Position 3, while Devin Bailey and Crystal Zielke are competing for the seat.

The only contested race for a cemetery district is at Pilot Rock Cemetery, where incumbent Tom Rugg is running for reelection and faces Greg Wheelhouse for Position 2.

Incumbent Tracy Finck is running for reelection for Position 1 in the Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District and faces a challenge from Amber Stanley.

And Doug Rothrock will not seek reelection for Position 4 in the Umatilla Hospital Service District,, while Charlotte Baxter and Enrique Navarro are vying for the seat.

These elections, held every odd-numbered year on the third Tuesday in May, determine board members for local school districts, cemetery districts, service districts, fire districts and water control districts.

For more information on the election, visit shorturl.at/m3w1r.