Benton County voters will decide a contested Democratic race for county commissioner on the May 19 primary election ballot.
The Democratic primary for the board’s Position 1 features two candidates — incumbent Pat Malone of Kings Valley and challenger John Wilson of Adair Village. No Republican candidates filed for the position, meaning the winner of the Democratic primary will be the only major-party candidate on the November general election ballot.
The Benton County Elections office planned to begin mailing ballots this week.
Malone, 78, owns Sunrise Tree Farm and is currently serving his second term on the board. His background includes service on the Benton Soil and Water Conservation board, the Linn-Benton Community College Budget Committee, Workforce Development Board and as chief of the Hoskins-Kings Valley Rural Fire Protection District. Malone holds a bachelor’s degree in history and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts from the University of Oregon.
Asked what led him to run, Malone said he has lived in Benton County most of his adult life and cares deeply about the land as a farmer and the people as a longtime community member. He said he saw an opportunity to give back to the community and put to use the knowledge he gained advocating at the Legislature and running a farm and business.
“During these challenging times, when people are struggling, experience matters now more than ever,” he said.
Wilson, 69, retired after more than 20 years in social work, with roles as a children’s services family case manager, disaster case management supervisor and director of disaster preparedness and response. His governmental experience includes serving as an Adair Village councilor since 2025, Benton County planning commissioner since 2023 and prior council and planning roles in Indiana. Wilson holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a master’s degree in leadership and ethics from Spring Hill College.
Wilson said his initial reason for running was what he described as the wrongly decided landfill expansion, on which he had voted with fellow planning commissioners to deny. He said he is running to provide honest, thoughtful leadership that listens to rural communities and to lead on housing, active transportation, mental health and services for unhoused residents.
“Benton County has good frameworks. What it needs is a commissioner who drives them to completion — with urgency, accountability and respect for every community,” he said.
The Philomath News invited both candidates to participate in the following Q-and-A in an effort to provide more insight to voters. Each candidate had a strict 100-word limit per question, with longer answers edited for length, and each was invited to submit a photo.
Q1. Housing affordability and availability is a challenge across the mid-Willamette Valley. What role do you believe the county should play in addressing it?
Malone: We need to put most of the affordable housing where services are. I support workforce housing and honor land use zoning for farm and forestry. For rural housing, is there water? Is the ground suitable for a septic system? Is this the place for housing if the owner has a long commute for work? The county’s role is supportive, like future improvements at 53rd and Country Club. Benton County actively supported Philomath getting grants to extend a sewer line so they can build more housing. We should update Benton’s comprehensive plan so our regulations agree with the state’s.
Wilson: The county’s role is active partner — not passive bystander. We control land-use policy, infrastructure investment and coordination frameworks. Right now we’re underperforming on all three. As an Adair Village councilor, I helped secure a $4 million state grant for our wastewater plant. You can’t build housing without supporting infrastructure. As commissioner, I’ll push for ADUs on rural residential properties, aggressively pursue state workforce housing grants and ensure the 2027 comprehensive plan centers housing equity and rural inclusion. Philomath’s Main Street housing concept needs a county partner who shows up — not one who waits to be asked.
Q2. How do you view the relationship between the county and the cities within it, particularly Philomath and Corvallis, and how would you approach working with municipal governments?
Malone: We are all partners in making things better for our communities. We have to work together for the economies of scale and dividing up the work. For instance, the county runs the health clinics that serve everyone, cities and county. Each governmental agency has limitations on what it can and can’t do. It’s important to identify all the stakeholders in a project so we can better understand all viewpoints. We hold quarterly meetings with city managers to exchange information and make sure our efforts are coordinated. I’ve known many of the electeds and managers for years. It’s about relationships.
Wilson: The county works best when it treats cities as genuine partners — not subordinates. Philomath has sometimes felt like an afterthought in conversations dominated by Corvallis. That needs to change. I live in Adair Village. I serve on CAMPO alongside Philomath and Corvallis representatives, and on the Planning Commission. I know the difference between coordination that’s genuine and coordination that’s performative. As commissioner, I’ll hold regular meetings with Philomath leadership, ensure smaller communities aren’t left behind on state grants and make certain every city’s voice is heard in budget and comprehensive plan discussions.
Q3. County budgets are often a balancing act between public safety, social services, and infrastructure. What would be your priorities, and what principles would guide your budget decisions?
Malone: What functions are we currently doing that we could do more efficiently? Then we work hard to maintain these current services. We’ll look carefully at expanding programs when the budget allows, like more hours at the Crisis Center. Energy conservation, transportation and natural hazards go to the heart of reducing our carbon footprint, which is the essence of our future sustainability. We are facing increasingly severe natural hazards because of climate change and the fact that we are overdue for a large earthquake. That’s why I pushed for and got $5 million in funding for the new Emergency Operations Center.
Wilson: Budget decisions reveal values. Here are mine. First, protect services reaching the most vulnerable — behavioral health, homeless response, public safety. These aren’t line items to optimize; they’re why county government exists. Second, honest accounting. The county is heading toward a 2027-29 deficit, balanced today on one-time revenues. I’ll bring disaster recovery grant discipline — multiple funding sources, prioritization, honest tradeoffs made publicly. Third, federal funding is contracting fast. I’ll build on existing investments while aggressively pursuing state grants through Housing 360, DLCD and Oregon Health Authority.
Q4. What is your position on the county’s approach to land use, particularly as it relates to development pressure on agricultural and forest lands?
Malone: I’m a strong advocate for Oregon’s land use laws. Benton County continues to follow the land use laws regarding any development outside of the urban growth boundaries that our cities have. The county’s job is to encourage the cities to work harder at increasing density inside the UGB. The majority of land in Benton County is forest and farm. Natural resources are a critical part of our economy and need to be protected from development. Land developed will never be planted to crops again. I’m also concerned with population growth from environmental refugees fleeing water shortages and extreme heat.
Wilson: I voted against the Coffin Butte Landfill expansion on the Planning Commission — on the evidence, before the political pressure, before the reversal. That vote reflects my approach: Follow the criteria, protect resources that matter, don’t let corporate interests override community wellbeing. Benton County’s rural character is an asset, not an obstacle. Direct growth to infrastructure-ready areas. Protect prime agricultural land and watersheds. I’m also concerned about the BLM’s proposed logging expansion near Philomath, threatening the Rock Creek watershed that supplies 40% of Corvallis’ drinking water. Benton County must be a persistent, documented voice in that federal process.
Q5. Transparency and public trust in government are ongoing concerns at every level. What specific steps would you take to ensure county government remains open and accountable to residents?
Malone: Benton County is working hard to get accurate information out to our community. We have greatly improved access to board meetings through live and archived video. The county website has been updated, and we are continually working to improve it. Our communications team works diligently to get timely, accurate information to our community. The monthly newsletter has 12,000 subscribers. I’m available any time someone wants an appointment. I started “Chat with Pat” most Tuesday afternoons from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Kalapuya lobby. Check the county website for specifics. I go to as many community events as possible.
Wilson: Coffin Butte showed exactly what happens when public input is collected but not genuinely weighed — thousands testified against the expansion, the Planning Commission denied it, the board approved it anyway. The BOC finally denied it on reconsideration. My specific steps: social media notification for major proposals — paywalled newspaper notices aren’t adequate; direct mail to adjacent property owners for rural proposals; plain language summaries alongside legal notices; public decision timelines so people know when input actually matters; and town halls throughout the county. Rural residents deserve to be in the conversation before decisions are made.
