BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson says he will not run for re-election in 2024. "I don’t have any concrete plans for the future. I’m going to finish the year and a half remaining in my term," he tells KBND News. 

Unlike the two Sheriffs before him, Nelson says he won’t step down early so a hand-picked successor can be appointed, "I think there’s a time and a place for that, and I think the prior Sheriffs had good reason to do what they did. During my last two elections, I had some questions from community members regarding that, and so I’ve just always said I would serve out the remainder of my term and then turn it over to an election of the people." But, he plans to endorse one of his command staff. 

Nelson says he was approached by Captain William Bailey during the last election, "We had a conversation that he was interested in becoming Sheriff, so I have made sure to include him in some of that decision-making process and some of the day-to-day opportunities the Sheriff has." He adds, "I know there’s always people who would be able to serve in the office of Sheriff and would do well. But I’ve worked closely with Captain Bailey for the last several years and in my mind, he is the individual I want serving as my Sheriff."

Bailey issued this statement Friday:

"The Office of Sheriff requires a strong and experienced person. I formed a PAC [Political Action Committee] to be ready in the event Sheriff Nelson decided not to run for re-election. I will be making a formal announcement of my campaign for Deschutes County Sheriff in the coming weeks."