Moody

ENTERPRISE — One name is no longer on the May 21 primary election ballot and one more has been added, according to the Wallowa County Clerk’s Office.

Former Wallowa County Sheriff Steve Rogers has withdrawn as a candidate to replace Todd Nash on the Wallowa County Board of Commissioners.

“I know this will disappoint my supporters, at this time I am working out of town and have various other commitments which make it impossible for me to campaign effectively and educate myself on the numerous issues our commissioners deal with daily,” Rogers said in a press release issued Wednesday, Nov. 29.

Rogers was replaced as sheriff in January 2021 after losing a reelection bid to Joel Fish. He currently works for the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office.

“I miss Wallowa County and look forward to the time when I can be back in the county full time,” Rogers said. “I sincerely thank my family and friends for their enthusiastic support.”

Candidates still on the ballot to replace Nash in the May 21 primary election include John Amond, David Brandt, Joseph Mayor Lisa Collier and Angelika Dietrich-Garoutte. The deadline to file for office is March 12. The two top vote-getters in the primary will face off in the Nov. 5 general election.

Nash has filed to run for the state Senate seat of retiring Sen. Bill Hansell.

Turning the race for sheriff into a contested one, James E. Dickenson of Enterprise has filed to compete with Ryan Moody, a sergeant in the Sheriff’s Office, for the badge.

Dickenson spent 22 years full time with the Franklin County (Washington) Sheriff’s Office based in Pasco. He retired as a senior sergeant of patrol in January 2017. After graduating from Hermiston High School, he attended the Washington State Law Enforcement Academy, according to his candidate filing form.

Dickenson said in a press release that he and his wife, Terri, to whom he’s been married 40 years, have five children, the youngest a senior at Enterprise High School. They’ve been visiting the county for many years, though they just moved here in 2021.

“My wife and I plan on living the rest of our days in this amazing county and I still have a strong desire to serve in the law enforcement arena,” Dickenson said. “I have filed to run for election in 2024, however my decision is not 100% yet. With prayer and family discussions I will officially announce my candidacy the first part of next year.”

Sheriff Joel Fish has submitted his resignation effective Jan. 1. He said he plans to recommend Moody to replace him. Moody had already filed to run for the office when Fish announced his recommendation.