By Jessica R. Wheeler
Longtime Sherman County Justice of the Peace Ron McDermid faces two challengers in the Oregon primary on May 19.
Deanna Christensen and Geremy Shull are also vying for the nonpartisan Sherman County Court position.
McDermid has served as Justice of the Peace since 2002. A retired wheat rancher, McDermid attended Sherman County School, Oregon State University and the National Judicial College. He’s served as chairman of the Deschutes River Policy Group, the Fulton-Gordon Canyon Watershed Council, and the Sherman County Emergency Services Advisory Committee.
“As a lifelong Sherman County resident, I value the quality of life this county provides and will continue to do my best to contribute to the well-being of its residents,” McDermid said in his voter’s guide statement.
Christensen is a graduate of Sherman County and has spent the past 15 years as an elementary school librarian, afterschool program coordinator and instructional assistant with Sherman County School District.
Before returning to Sherman with her family, Christensen worked as a counselor in outpatient and inpatient facilities, group homes for youths, transition homes, county correctional facilities and youth correctional facilities.
“It has always been my goal that any job I have has some element of service, and I have been blessed to be a part of many working teams that do just that,” Christensen said in her social media statement. “It is my hope to use all of my previous experiences to meet the expectations of Sherman County Justice of the Peace.”
Geremy Shull is also a lifelong county resident and graduate of Sherman County School. He worked as a police cadet in Klickitat County during his high school years, and after college worked as a Gilliam County Sheriff’s Deputy for three years. He received the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association Life Saving Award for his work in triage as a traffic safety deputy there. Shull then spent 11 years with the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office as deputy, detective and sergeant.
Shull has served as vice chairman of North Central Education School District and as a board member for the Sherman Preschool. He’s coached a number of youth sports over the past 20 years, including Little League, high school baseball and football, and has led umpire clinics locally.
“I believe my understanding of the community, my prior law enforcement and life experiences give me a well-rounded experience that fits with whom you need as a Justice of the Peace,” Shull said in his social media statement. “I have dedicated much of my life to the betterment of Sherman County. It’s my home, and I hope to be able to continue to serve you all as your Justice of the Peace.”