Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
La Pine Mayor & City Council Election 2026
2 of 4 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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How to vote · 11 days left
Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
Mayor
1 seatCity Council
Vote for up to 2- Stefan D'AuteuilSmall business owner in medical billing and practice management, and a licensed massage therapist. He lists participation in the La Pine 2045 Comprehensive Plan.5sourced
- Scott HendersonGeneral contractor with an associate degree in civil engineering. He lists service on the La Pine Public Works Committee.5sourced
- Kaj LarsenSmall business owner in Central Oregon for 25 years.2sourced
- Jeff PoteetReal estate broker and vice chair of the La Pine Planning Commission.4sourced
- Donny SavardMarine combat veteran and board member of the Crescent Creek HOA.4sourced
Voters citywide elect a mayor from two candidates and two councilors from five candidates.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- Governor
- Brett Smith · Pacific Green
- Tina Kotek · Democrat, Working Families
- Christine Drazan · Republican, Libertarian
- U.S. Senate
- David Brock Smith · Republican
- Jeff Merkley · Democrat, Working Families
- Gary Lyndon Dye · Libertarian
- Chris Henry · Progressive, Pacific Green
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
What the next council decides
01Data centers and industrial land3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn May 2026 the council voted to end consideration of selling industrial park land to Boxminer for a data center.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide how to respond to future proposals to buy or develop land in the industrial park.
- The council voted 4-0 to conclude the matter and close the proposed sale of the industrial park lot. La Pine City Council minutes, 05/27/2026 · May 27, 2026
- City staff reported substantial differences between Boxminer's revenue and job projections and staff estimates. La Pine City Council minutes, 05/27/2026 · May 27, 2026
- The developer had proposed a 20-megawatt data center on 19.5 acres in the La Pine Industrial Park. OPB · May 28, 2026
02Transportation System Plan update2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city is updating its Transportation System Plan with an ODOT grant, and staff projected adoption in spring 2027.
What's on the tableThe next council will review and decide whether to adopt the updated Transportation System Plan.
- In June 2026 the council approved an amendment to its agreement with ODOT for the Transportation System Plan update grant. La Pine City Council minutes, 06/10/2026 · Jun 10, 2026
- Staff said adoption of the Transportation System Plan update was projected for spring 2027. La Pine Planning Commission minutes, 04/15/2026 · Apr 15, 2026
03Housing and development rules3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city received two housing grants, for the Cagle Infill Project and a Housing Code Audit, but staff reported both on hold in July 2026.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide on housing code changes and how the city supports new housing.
- Staff reported two housing grants awarded to the city for the Cagle Infill Project and a Housing Code Audit. La Pine Planning Commission minutes, 04/15/2026 · Apr 15, 2026
- In July 2026 staff reported that the Housing Code Update and the Cagle Infill Project remained on hold. La Pine Planning Commission minutes, 07/01/2026 · Jul 1, 2026
- Staff said that under recent state law changes, subdivision applications must now be processed through administrative review. La Pine City Council minutes, 07/22/2026 · Jul 22, 2026
04Wildfire preparedness2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city is working with Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire and staff have described R327 fire-hardening building standards.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to adopt new wildfire-related building and development rules.
- In June 2026 the council extended its agreement with Headwaters Economics for wildfire planning services at no cost through Dec. 31, 2026. La Pine City Council minutes, 06/24/2026 · Jun 24, 2026
- Staff said the city was considering adopting R327 fire-hardening standards and was preparing an ordinance. La Pine Planning Commission minutes, 04/15/2026 · Apr 15, 2026
05Utility rates and fees3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn 2026 the council approved a 2.5% garbage rate increase and adopted a new master fee schedule.
What's on the tableThe next council will set city fees and approve utility rate changes.
- The council approved Resolution 2026-01, a 2.5% solid waste rate increase requested by Republic Services. La Pine City Council special meeting minutes, 04/21/2026 · Apr 21, 2026
- The council adopted the city's master fee schedule, effective July 1, 2026. La Pine City Council minutes, 05/13/2026 · May 13, 2026
- In June 2026 the city held an event marking completion of its water and wastewater expansion project. La Pine City Council minutes, 06/10/2026 · Jun 10, 2026
2 notes on these statements
Councilors Mike Shields and Karen Morse hold the two council seats on the ballot; neither is a candidate. City of La Pine
The League of Women Voters scheduled a La Pine City Council and mayoral candidate forum for Oct. 21, 2026. The Bulletin · Sep 14, 2026
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Who matches you?
Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.
1. Should the city pause the Transportation System Plan update until the new council reviews it?
2. What should the city's main approach to housing costs be?
Key dates
- Last day to register to voteDeschutes County ClerkOct 13, 2026
- Ballots mailed to votersDeschutes County ClerkOct 14, 2026
- Election DayCity of La PineNov 3, 2026
The seat math
2 stay (not up this year): Janis Curtis-Thompson, Cathi VanDamme2 on this ballot
4 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- Council members are elected by popular vote and serve four-year terms. City of La Pine
- The mayor is elected for a two-year term. City of La Pine
- The mayor presides over the council and votes only to break a tie between council members. City of La Pine
- The council elects a president from its members, who presides when the mayor is absent. City of La Pine
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