Philomath Mayor Chas Jones announced that he is dropping out of the mayoral race and now supports challenger Christopher McMorran for the seat in the Nov. 5 general election.
Jones, 51, will serve out the remainder of his term, which ends Dec. 31.
A presence in local city government since 2019, Jones said he needs to focus his energy on a new business venture.
Letter: Mayor explains decision to drop out of mayoral race
Letter to the Editor: Mayor Chas Jones writes a letter to the community about his decision to drop out of contention for mayor in the November election and his endorsement of Christopher McMorran.
“Just as I continued to think about all the pressure and just the energy that’s required to not only serve as mayor but also to run a campaign, I was just feeling a little overwhelmed,” Jones said. “Frankly, I was just feeling like something was going to give. Knowing that this is a volunteer role and then also knowing that we do have great staff in place and we have folks that are willing and able to serve in these roles … that allowed me to make this decision.”
Jones served as a city councilor in 2019-20 before he was elected to back-to-back terms as mayor.
“I have given this six years and the city’s going to be OK,” Jones said as he tried to explain what went into his decision. “The city’s in good hands and I should be proud of all that we have done and I don’t have to feel like I have to be the person that carries it forward.”
Jones called McMorran late last week to share his decision.
“When he called me and told me, I was very honored and humbled to have his support,” McMorran said. “I look forward to making the most of this opportunity.”
McMorran, who will be 26 later this week, now shifts his mindset for these final two months before the election.
“I didn’t see that coming at all and was really gearing up for a pretty intense fall with campaigning and getting out there and talking to people,” he said. “I still want to make sure I do that but obviously the whole strategy and plan has kind of changed now.”
McMorran has served on the City Council since 2023 after attracting the most votes in the November 2022 election.
“I am very grateful for his leadership the last four years as mayor and then on the council two years before that,” McMorran said about Jones. “I appreciate that he is ready to pass the torch maybe at this point.”
Jones launched PICEA Consulting Group in August 2023 as a side gig to his full-time job. On June 30, he left his former position to commit all of time and energy toward the development of his company, which works with tribes and their partners on climate resilience and the transition to clean energy.
The mayor’s decision comes too late for his name to be removed from the ballot and the voter’s guide so there will likely be some level of confusion among some voters. The election in November will also include three candidates for three council vacancies. Running unopposed, Diane Crocker, Spencer Irwin and Brent Kaseman will be sworn in along with McMorran as mayor in January — barring some unknown circumstances.
“I am very honored to have the endorsement and to be kind of set on a path here,” McMorran said. “But I do still want to really make sure I’m earning the support of the community and not just becoming a default choice. So, I don’t want to take that for granted. I’m always a fan of contested elections where folks can really make a choice and obviously that’s not the way this is going anymore but that doesn’t look like an excuse for me to just pack it in at this point.”