Lisa Gambee understands Wasco County. She understands that although our large county appears to be home to very different and unique towns (incorporated or not) there are, nonetheless, similarities that connect us. We have similar priorities and concerns and I have often heard Lisa address those issues and concerns with members of our different communities.
Lisa has a natural ability to speak and listen to each of us, whether we are in agriculture, small business or large business. She listens, whether we work at any level of government, or perhaps work in the recreation or service industries. She hears us if we are working or retired or searching for employment. Or perhaps we are struggling with increased insurance payments, looking for child care or concerned about the changes in our own community. Lisa listens to understand, doing so without judgment.
Lisa thinks clearly and has the ability to form a plan and execute it in ways that matter. And that is why I feel hopeful when I think about Lisa Gambee. She is that rare combination of a “people person” as well as being an organized, research-focused and detail-oriented Wasco County leader who loves our county and will work for us all.
I will feel honored to vote for Lisa Gambee for Wasco County commissioner. Please join me. Thank you,
Lisa Gambee is qualified. Qualifications for Wasco County Commissioner: truthful, willing to work hard, listener and understands the needs of the constituents. Lisa Gambee fits all these qualifications and more. She has experience in leadership for nine and a half years as Wasco County clerk.
As county clerk, Lisa has dealt with the difficulties surrounding COVID issues during an election year in a very professional manner. I was a poll watcher during that election. Lisa used Zoom to train and communicate with her volunteer poll watchers. She also posted a video on the Wasco County website to inform her constituents how the ballot is processed. It is still on the site. I also had a daughter that was living in England at the time. Lisa and her office were extremely helpful in assisting her, giving her the ability to participate in the election. Our elections were and are secure as a result of the leadership of Lisa Gambee.
As a community member, Lisa is committed to keeping our towns and outlying areas safe from wildfires. She lives in Tygh Valley and knows first-hand how devastating a fire can be after the Larch Creek fire changed the landscape of their property and those around her. Living in a rural community, Lisa listens to community members and understands the importance of working together and volunteering in community organizations. She will work to keep those volunteer organizations, such as fire and ambulance, functioning by seeking more stable funding. It is important to the rural communities to know those organizations will be there when needed.
There isn’t any candidate that is more qualified. Please join me. Vote for Lisa Gambee for Wasco County Commissioner on the November ballot.
My wife and I met Lisa Gambee and her husband John several years ago through the Wamic Grange as volunteers. Lisa’s volunteer efforts have helped maintain the Grange for Community meetings and family events in South Wasco County.
I also observed Lisa help the volunteers who established the South Wasco County Park and Recreation District. Without her able assistance, the district may not have been established.
Lisa’s dedication to the entire Wasco County Community grew over years through her service as the Wasco County Clerk. When elected, Lisa will bring competence, diligence and integrity to the Wasco County Commission. Please join me in voting for Lisa Gambee for Wasco County Commissioner.
I’m writing in support of Lisa Gambee for Wasco County Commissioner because she brings something rare and essential to county leadership: a deep understanding of public service grounded in fairness, transparency, and non-partisanship.
As Wasco County Clerk, Lisa oversaw our elections with a steady hand and an unwavering commitment to integrity. In a time when election systems across the country have been under intense scrutiny, Lisa ensured that every ballot in Wasco County was handled securely, every process was transparent, and every voter — regardless of party — could trust the outcome. Her work strengthened confidence in our local democracy, and that matters for all of us.
What stands out most about Lisa is her approach to decision making. She listens first. She looks at the facts. And she focuses on what will benefit the entire county, not just one group or political viewpoint. She understands that the role of county commissioner is not about partisanship; it’s about stewardship. It’s about making thoughtful, practical choices that support our communities, our rural areas, our local economy, and the people who call Wasco County home.
Wasco County deserves leaders who put people first. Lisa Gambee has already proven she can do that. The choice is clear for Wasco County’s future, and I hope you’ll vote for Lisa Gambee.
I have known Lisa and her family for decades, basically. She is a loyal friend, but I have also seen her in action when I helped during elections. Lisa in action allows you to see how intelligent, thoughtful, and hardworking she is. She has the ability to listen, solve problems, and respond to the needs of the people she is working with. I have no doubt she will apply those incredible skills to the work she will do as a county commissioner.
If Lisa Gambee is elected as our next Wasco County Commissioner in November, she will bring with her an extensive resume of public-sector experience and know-how, as well as private sec-tor entrepreneurship and communication skills to the job. As our Wasco County Clerk for almost a decade, Lisa served the County with integrity, transparency, and accountability. And as County Clerk, she safeguarded our elections process, strengthened public trust, and ensured that every vote cast was counted, fairly and securely.
In addition to her management of our county voting system, she modernized critical systems, helped craft the county’s first culture guide, and worked directly with every community in the county — building trusted relationships that gave her a clear, ground-level understanding of our local needs.
And now Lisa is ready to serve Wasco County as its next County Commissioner with insight, fairness, and a steady hand.
This election, I hope that you will join me in voting for Lisa Gambee for our Wasco County Commissioner.
Wasco County Commissioners play a vital role in our communities and I support the candidate who has not only exemplified integrity and transparency but has the experience to hit the ground running.
Lisa Gambee served as our Wasco County Clerk and has a deep understanding of county operations: elections, public records, budgeting processes, interdepartmental coordination, and direct service to county residents. She collaborated with every county department and every community in Wasco County and built solid, trusting relationships with local leaders, volunteers, and residents. She developed a practical understanding of what people need and how county decisions affect their daily lives.
I worked as an election worker under Lisa’s leadership. I witnessed her exemplary transparency and communication of the ballot intake and counting processes, careful adherence to the laws, and excellent active listening skills. She met a steady stream of Wasco County citizens who arrived with questions and concerns with calm, compassionate support and effective answers. Every one had value in her County Clerk office.
If you want integrity, transparency, and experience on the County Commission, then Lisa Gambee is your candidate. She has the experience to serve Wasco County from day one and has demonstrated the integrity and compassion to represent everyone in Wasco County. Please join me in voting for Lisa Gambee!
I will be voting for Lisa Gambee for the Wasco County Board of Commissioners, and I hope you will, too.
Lisa Gambee has the experience we need on a commission of relative newbies, having served nearly ten years as Wasco County clerk. She already knows much about the issues of every community and has always been open to listening to the needs of every county resident.
Gambee is a consensus builder while maintaining her own values and integrity. The continuity she will bring to the commission will help to fill the huge gap left behind by the tragic loss of another great listener, Phil Brady. Her knowledge of both city and rural issues has helped her develop excellent working relationships with city, county and state offices and agencies.
Gambee, as a resident of south Wasco County and coincidentally personally experiencing wildfires again, has a unique perspective that we will find invaluable on our new county commission.
Gambee's strength of character, openness and proven leadership will transfer well to her service for us on the Board of Wasco County Commissioners.
Effective, compassionate, and conscientious leadership is more important than ever, and Wasco County needs candidates with a proven record of service. That is why I am grateful Lisa Gambee is running for Wasco County Commissioner. I served with Lisa on the Wasco County Board of Property Tax Appeals (BOPTA) for two terms while she was County Clerk, and I witnessed firsthand a leadership style grounded in strong moral character, integrity and fairness for all. While overseeing the Board of Property Tax Appeals, Lisa ensured board members were properly trained and encouraged them to listen and respond fairly to residents’ appeals.
As the former Executive Director of the Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, I appreciate her awareness and understanding of our community’s housing needs.
Based on her proven leadership as County Clerk, Lisa will represent all of Wasco County fairly and develop practical solutions to our community’s needs, regardless of politics. She understands how Wasco County government works and is ready to serve on day one. I can think of no one better equipped to help guide us through the challenges we face today.
Wasco County is facing many complex challenges as are most rural counties. Decreased federal funding, housing shortages and lack of family wage jobs opportunities are to name a few. As a former Wasco County Commissioner, allow me to endorse, once again Lisa Gambee. Lisa won the primary vote by a wide margin and now it is time to support her for the general election in November. Lisa possesses an intimate knowledge of county operations as she served as the Wasco County Clerk for 9 years (think elections overseer, real estate recordings, marriage licenses etc.) and in that role, she rose as a team leader and helped shape a strategic vision for the county. She has what it takes to work on solutions for community challenges. In addition, she will work to uphold ethical and transparent decision making, call for accountability in county operations and strengthen public trust in county government. I know Lisa as a leader with integrity, a relationship builder and a nice person who truly cares about improving the lives of every person who calls Wasco County home.
As Wasco County Clerk, Lisa managed our elections with steadiness and integrity. At a time when election systems across the country faced scrutiny, she made sure every ballot was handled securely and every process was open and understandable. She spent whatever time was needed helping residents learn how our systems work so they could feel confident their votes were counted accurately. That dedication strengthened trust in our local democracy.
Lisa is not afraid to make difficult decisions, but she does her homework first. She listens to experts and people who may be affected by the decision, looks at the facts, and focuses on what will benefit the entire county. She understands that the role of County Commissioner is about stewardship and practical problem‑solving. It’s about making thoughtful choices that support our communities, our rural residents, our economy, and all of us who call Wasco County home.
Lisa Gambee protected the foundation of our democracy for 9 1/2 years when she was Wasco County Clerk. She ensured our elections were secure, transparent and safe. Now Lisa is running for Wasco County Commissioner and we need her experienced leadership now.
Lisa will thoughtfully and intelligently represent all citizens of Wasco County. She understands the needs and concerns of all areas of our county from The Dalles to Antelope and from Maupin to Mosier. She will be able to address these needs from her first day in office.
We TRUST Lisa to LEAD on her first day in office, as Lisa does not need to learn the county systems having already served for a decade as our county clerk.
We know Lisa will GIVE ALL RESIDENTS a voice. She has a “commitment to ensuring the people who LIVE HERE ARE SERVED FIRST ”. That is a perfect stance—support those who live here first ! From The Dalles to Antelope, from Maupin to Mosier, Lisa will make sure no community is left behind. After all, ~ 40% of the county lives outside The Dalles. She gets small towns having lived in one for so long.
But most importantly to us in the rural areas of the county—water! Residents who live in rural parts of the county have intimate knowledge on the topic of our aging water systems. We have heard Lisa talk about water systems for as long as we have known her. It is not just a talking point for her. Her ideas to have the county help us is what is needed. As she says “Wasco County has a RESPONSIBILITY to help small systems secure funding, technical expertise and long term stability their residents deserve.”
Please vote Lisa Gambee so all of the county is considered in every decision.
Wasco County is very fortunate to have Lisa Gambee as a candidate for the Wasco County Board of Commissioners.
As the former Wasco County Clerk, she has worked closely with the board of commissioners and has extensive knowledge about county organization, its processes and its people. Experience in volunteering on county projects made clear to me how extensive and diverse the obligations of county government are. The Wasco County Budget for the current fiscal year totals $39.5 million, and is detailed on over 640 pages. https://cms5.revize.com/revize/wascocounty25/FY26%20Wasco%20Adopted%20Budget.pdf?t=202509051044160&t=202509051044160
Becoming familiar with and able to make good decisions about all of the subjects contained within that budget requires time and experience, something that few candidates will have in advance to the extent already possessed by Lisa Gambee.
In 2024, Lisa was one of five of Oregon’s 36 county clerks recognized by the National Association of Secretaries of State. The Medallion Award was given in recognition of her being “one of the people who make democracy work,” in spite of “ongoing threats, harassment and false information campaigns.” https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/SOS/Posts/Post/2024-national-association-secretaries-state-medallions
Lisa Gambee has demonstrated her dedication to Wasco County and her leadership abilities. I urge you to take advantage of her willingness to serve, with your vote.
Support Gambee
We are writing in support of Lisa Gambee for Wasco County Commissioner. She is a proven leader with a deep knowledge of our county.
During her decade as Wasco County Clerk, Lisa worked closely with communities from Mosier in the northwest to Antelope in the southeast — Dufur, Maupin, Tygh Valley, Wamic, Pine Grove and Shaniko among them. She learned the character of each place, the challenges they face and the people who keep them going — priceless experience that matters. Lisa understands our county and has a strong record of collaborative, transparent service and integrity. She is the perfect fit to help lead our county now.
Lisa Gambee is a proven leader, having served almost 10 years as Wasco County Clerk, a position which required the establishment of effective working relationships with other leaders and community members throughout the county.
I am impressed with her heartfelt dedication to service. She now aspires to become a Wasco County Commissioner. Lisa’s determination to build upon her years of experience and move us forward through very challenging times earns her my vote. Please join me in voting for Lisa Gambee.
Connie Krummrich
Voting Gambee
To the Voters of Wasco County: As a multi-generation Wasco County citizen, I feel compelled to urge readers of this letter to cast their vote for Lisa Gambee. My reasons for supporting her candidacy include her integrity, work ethic, mature judgement and open mind.
Lisa has earned my support through her professional expertise serving as Wasco County Clerk. The knowledge she acquired in that capacity will be of benefit to all Wasco County citizens.
Lisa will administer the county budget for the benefit of all of us. Lisa understands the importance of agriculture and business in our local economy. Lisa supports public education and understands that democracy depends on an educated citizenry.
Both Lisa and her husband, John, have been volunteer contributors of time and talent enhancing the community they live in.
Lisa will listen to citizen concerns and obtain the information needed to make decisions for all Wasco County residents.
Please join me in voting for Lisa Gambee for the Wasco County Commission.
Dan Van Vactor
Lisa Gambee is a proven leader, having served almost 10 years as Wasco County Clerk, a position which required the establishment of effective working relationships with other leaders and community members throughout the county.
I am impressed with her heartfelt dedication to service. She now aspires to become a Wasco County Commissioner. Lisa’s determination to build upon her years of experience and move us forward through very challenging times earns her my vote. Please join me in voting for Lisa Gambee.
I am writing in support of Lisa Gambee’s bid to serve as a Wasco County Commissioner. As the Executive Assistant to the Board of County Commissioners, I worked closely with her throughout her entire tenure with the County. That experience gave me a front‑row seat to her character, her work ethic, and her unwavering commitment to the people of Wasco County.
Over the years, Lisa and I collaborated on many major countywide initiatives. We served together on the planning team for Leadership Summits, on the training team for all‑staff employee development, and on the creation of the County’s 100% Love culture initiative. I also supported her as she brought numerous items before the Board - each one thoroughly researched, thoughtfully prepared, and grounded in what would best serve our residents.
In every setting, Lisa demonstrated the same qualities: she is collaborative, strategic, ethical, and exceptionally hard‑working. She brings compassion to difficult conversations, innovation to complex challenges, and organization to every project she touches. She communicates clearly, operates transparently, and consistently elevates the people around her. Lisa is the ultimate team player; someone who listens deeply, seeks common ground, and leads with both heart and integrity.
Lisa Gambee will bring thoughtful leadership, practical experience, and a deep sense of responsibility to the role of County Commissioner. She has already proven her dedication to this community, and will continue to serve it with integrity. My vote is going to Lisa Gambee, and I invite you to stand with me.
I have had the honor of knowing Lisa Gambee for 37 years. What I have learned about Lisa that impresses me most is that when she puts her heart and soul into an endeavor amazing things happen.
While attending Portland State University (PSU) on athletic scholarship, Lisa was a two-time, first-team All American volleyball player with her team winning back-to-back National Championships both of those years. She is a member of both the PSU and State of Oregon Sports Halls of Fame. Several years after leaving PSU with a Bachelor of Science degree, Lisa returned and earned her MBA. With her MBA in hand, she started a successful marketing and brand strategy firm.
In 1995, Lisa and her husband purchased property in Tygh Valley where they built the first straw bale house permitted in Wasco, County. Lisa put in countless days bucking straw bales, stacking and trimming the bales into walls, and applying plaster and stucco to finish the walls. Lisa applied the final coat of stucco while 8 months pregnant with Clara Tygh.
Lisa began her service as Wasco County Clerk in 2015. She was a dedicated public servant for the almost 10 years that she served. As County Clerk, Lisa increased election transparency and improved all processes associated with the Clerk’s office. Most importantly, she listened to the people of Wasco County treating all with respect and helping in any way that she could.
Lisa is ready and willing to put her heart and soul into Wasco County. Please join me in voting Lisa Gambee for Wasco County Commissioner, Position 1, amazing things can happen.
Years ago, I was a newly appointed interim board member for the White River Health District. I had a host of questions regarding option tax levies and funding for special districts and a variety of other topics. I emailed my list of questions to County Clerk Lisa Gambee, hoping that she could at least suggest resources where I could find the information I needed. Within the hour, I received both a phone call and a detailed follow up email from Lisa wherein she was able to answer all of my questions and more importantly, she explained the information within the larger context of how our tiny district fit into both county and statewide policies. I was deeply impressed by her depth and breadth of knowledge, her clear and concise answers, and her kindness and respect.
Fast forward to the present day and Lisa Gambee is now running for Wasco County Board of Commissioners Position 1. I have read her responses to questions in the S. Wasco County Times and again her depth and breadth of knowledge and extensive preparation surpasses others.
Within her role as Clerk and as a resident of Tygh Valley, Lisa has worked with citizens in The Dalles and all of the smaller communities throughout our county. She understands and shares our concerns regarding the lack of affordable housing, increasing economic diversity in our smaller communities, wildfire threat and aging infrastructure (particularly water systems). Lisa has concrete solutions to these concerns should she be elected. For me, the choice is clear. I hope you will join me in voting for Lisa Gambee for Wasco Co Commissioner Position 1 in May.
There’s nothing more crucial and more sacred to our democratic republic than safe, secure, and accessible elections. Lisa Gambee ensured we had just that during the decade she served as Wasco County Clerk. Now she’s running for County Commissioner (position 1) and there’s no one better suited to step into this role than Lisa.
She managed our elections (and plenty of other county clerk business) during the Covid shutdown and she managed them during the turmoil of national false claims of election fraud. She did so with professionalism and grace, with the confidence of a leader who is organized, skilled at solving problems, and determined to get things right for the people she serves.
I first met Lisa when I attended a public demonstration on how voting and elections are conducted in the county. The presentation gave me great confidence in the security of our local elections, and Lisa’s clear explanations and thoughtful answers to our questions reinforced that trust. I later volunteered as an election observer for several elections, which gave me additional opportunities to witness the high quality of Lisa’s work with her staff.
I also had the opportunity to work on a joint city and county ad hoc committee with Lisa for about a year and a half. She was, once again, professional, hard-working, and a very skilled leader.
I’ll be casting my vote for Lisa Gambee to be my next county commissioner and I hope you’ll do the same! (Plan to vote early if you mail your ballot back – the post office isn’t as efficient as it once was.)
I am supporting Lisa Gambee to become our Wasco County Commissioner. She is familiar with South Wasco County issues, which is appreciated. She lives in Tygh Valley, she is in South Wasco County and understands the issues we face: aging infrastructure, limited resources and increasing demands on local leaders and volunteers.
She has attended Maupin City Council meetings to learn about the issue our community faces. She is a member of our garden club.
She believes that communities need steady leadership and support from the Wasco County Commissioners.
As county clerk, she strengthened public trust, worked collaboratively and ensured people had the tools they needed to participate in civic life.
Most importantly, Lisa listens. She knows the best ideas come from the people doing the work: volunteers, small business owners, growers, ranchers, parents and neighbors.
This is why I’m voting for Lisa — because she is a leader who listens. I encourage my neighbors to vote for Lisa as well.
Carol Beatty
Mayor of Maupin
To our neighbors and fellow Wasco County residents,
As residents of Wasco County for almost 50 years, and through our many decades of serving on various local boards, we’ve gained a firsthand understanding of the complexities of our county. We strongly support Lisa Gambee for Wasco County Commissioner.
A proven entity we can trust: In politics, promises are easy. With Lisa, we don’t have to guess how she will lead because she has already served us as our county clerk for almost 10 years. The clerk’s office requires absolute accuracy, transparency, and fairness — and Lisa mastered that role. Because she has been in the trenches of our county government, she makes decisions grounded in experience, NOT in politics. She understands exactly how the “system” affects our daily lives and where improvement is possible.
Focusing on a resilient future: Lisa is interested in addressing the real needs of our communities, not just the latest “trendy” project. She is dedicated to making Wasco County more resilient. Whether you live in The Dalles, Pine Grove, or somewhere in between, Lisa has been there, and she has listened. Having a residence in Tygh Valley for 28 years, she has a lived perspective on our rural areas and knows that practical solutions matter more than flashy headlines.
A calm, honest voice: Lisa is remarkably calm and collected. She handles high-pressure situations with a level-headedness that invites collaboration rather than conflict. She is honest, straightforward, and listens more than she talks. She will hear our voices and our needs.
The bottom line: Lisa Gambee doesn’t need a “learning curve.” She’s already earned the trust of the citizens she served. Based on our own experience in local leadership, we know a steady hand when we see one. Lisa is the real deal — experienced, local, and honest. We hope you’ll join us in voting for her.
Dennis and Mary Beechler
Tygh Valley
I’m writing in support of Lisa Gambee for Wasco County Commissioner because she brings something rare and essential to county leadership: a deep understanding of public service grounded in fairness, transparency, and non-partisanship.
As Wasco County Clerk, Lisa oversaw our elections with a steady hand and an unwavering commitment to integrity. In a time when election systems across the country have been under intense scrutiny, Lisa ensured that every ballot in Wasco County was handled securely, every process was transparent, and every voter — regardless of party — could trust the outcome. Her work strengthened confidence in our local democracy, and that matters for all of us.
What stands out most about Lisa is her approach to decision-making. She listens first. She looks at the facts. And she focuses on what will benefit the entire county, not just one group or political viewpoint. She understands that the role of county commissioner is not about partisanship; it’s about stewardship. It’s about making thoughtful, practical choices that support our communities, our rural areas, our local economy, and the people who call Wasco County home.
Wasco County deserves leaders who put people first. Lisa Gambee has already proven she can do that. The choice is clear for Wasco County’s future, and I hope you’ll vote for Lisa Gambee.
Roseann Smeraglio
Maupin
Your Voice Matters: How to Write a Letter to the Editor
Your perspective matters more than any campaign ad. When you share why you’re supporting our vision for a more resilient Wasco County, you’re helping your neighbors see the real-world impact of local leadership.
Writing a letter is simple, and our local news teams at CCCNews and Columbia Gorge News love hearing from the community. Here’s how to get started:
3 Tips for a Great Letter
Keep it Personal: You don’t need to be a political expert. Just share a quick story about why you trust Lisa—maybe it was her help at the Clerk’s office, her work on the Pine Hollow boat ramps, or her roots in Tygh Valley.
Be Brief: Aim for 150–250 words. Short, heartfelt letters are more likely to be published and read!
Include Your Details: The newspapers need your full name, address, and phone number just to verify who you are (they won’t publish your private info).
Where to Send Your Letter
Columbia Community Connection (CCCNews)
Email: news@cccnews.com
Note: CCCNews loves "solutions-minded" stories about neighbors helping neighbors.
Columbia Gorge News
Email: news@gorgenews.com
Word Limit: They generally prefer letters under 350 words.
Need a Starting Point?
“I’ve lived in [Your Town] for [X] years, and I’m supporting Lisa Gambee because she understands [Water/Fire/Transparency/South County issues]. As our former Clerk, she’s already proven she has the integrity we need on the Commission...”
Let us know if you send one!
If your letter gets published, send us the link so we can share it on our social media pages to celebrate your contribution to the conversation.
