James (Mac) McLaughlin

About this race

The county's chief law-enforcement officer. Runs the sheriff's office and usually the county jail, patrols areas outside city police departments, and serves court papers.

2 candidates ran for Deschutes County Sheriff in the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Immigration enforcement (ICE 287(g))

ICE's list of 287(g) participating agencies shows no agreement for Deschutes County's sheriff's office.

Under 287(g), ICE trains and authorizes local officers to carry out some federal immigration duties. From ICE's list of participating agencies, as of October 28, 2026. Whether to keep, change or end an agreement is up to the sheriff.

About James (Mac) McLaughlin

Lieutenant, Deschutes County Sheriff's Office. An 18-plus-year member of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office who has supervised the office's detectives and commanded its SWAT team. He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran (First Force Reconnaissance Company) and lives outside Redmond. In 2025 the Sheriff's Employees Association recommended him for the interim sheriff appointment that went to Ty Rupert.

What they say they'll focus on:

• Public safety
• Treating the people who provide public safety with dignity and respect
• Long-term planning (a "1,000-day vision")
• Rebuilding trust by telling the truth and keeping promises

Summarized in our words from source 1, source 2, source 3, checked October 2026. Not an endorsement.

Where they stand

This is a nonpartisan race, so we don't estimate where candidates fall from their campaign materials or look up their personal voter registration. We'd place James (Mac) McLaughlin only with a published academic score (from a voting record or campaign donors), and we haven't found one we can reliably source.

To see where they stand, read their own words: campaign site. What they say they'll focus on is listed above.

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More about James (Mac) McLaughlin

Campaign website · Facebook · YouTube · Ballotpedia

Social accounts are the ones linked from the candidate's own campaign site, or listed on Wikidata.

Are you James (Mac) McLaughlin?

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Also running

• Ty Rupert

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Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What does the Deschutes County Sheriff seat do?

The county's chief law-enforcement officer. Runs the sheriff's office and usually the county jail, patrols areas outside city police departments, and serves court papers.

Who is James (Mac) McLaughlin running against?

Ty Rupert, for Deschutes County Sheriff.

Should I vote for James (Mac) McLaughlin?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare James (Mac) McLaughlin's record, funding and endorsements with the other candidates in this race and decide based on what matters to you.