Mary Faith Bell, Tillamook County Commissioner, Position 3

06/08/2026

I got to participate in a Tillamook Working Lands and Waters tour today, made up of about 50 visiting leaders and elected officials from all over the state. It was my pleasure to visit over lunch with Crook County Commissioner Susie Hermreck. Crook County is where Patty and Doug Olson now live, and Commissioner Hermreck has already met the Olsons and talked with them. Small world.
The tour began at the Martin Dairy, and wrapped up at the Trask River Fish Hatchery. I have had the privilege of attending several of these tours since I have been in office, and every time I learn new things about our natural resources industries. Today I learned that with artificial insemination, dairy farmers can choose the gender of baby cows, so most of the babies are girls, which become part of the herd.

05/29/2026

Thank you Tillamook County voters for re-electing me as your Tillamook County Commissioner!

The unofficial results as of May 27, 2026 have me at 55.13%, 5,446 votes vs my opponent with 44.38%, 4,384 votes. The numbers may change slightly before the election is certified in June, but not enough to change the outcome of our race. Thank you!

I am humbled and amazed by my campaign volunteers. To the big hearted, generous people who hosted and attended house parties for me, worked on my website and graphic art, attended campaign meetings, put up signs, made dozens of phone calls, knocked on doors, manned my Home and Garden Show booth, wrote letters to the editor, promoted me on social media, talked to friends and neighbors about me, made contributions of their invaluable time, talents and resources, thank you! We ran a campaign to be proud of, thanks to all of you.

To the 406 people from all points of the county and across the political spectrum who publicly endorsed me I am honored to have your support, thank you!

To my friends and family who prayed for me, gave me pep talks, called to check on me, and uplifted me through the campaign, and attended my election night party, eagerly awaiting the initial results, thank you!

I am blessed by this community and grateful for the opportunity to continue to be of service for the next four years.

05/23/2026

GOT SIGNS? We won! Thank you for your support and for hosting my campaign signs!
I have hundreds of signs out across the county, and I could use your help. You are welcome to drop off signs at the Tillamook County Democrats office at 116 Main in downtown Tillamook. They're open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 to 2 p.m. on Sundays, and they will be happy to receive my signs.
Please message me for north and south county drop off locations, or if you need someone to pick up a sign. You are also welcome to save your sign for a potential future election. Thanks again! I couldn't have done it without you.

05/20/2026

05/19/2026

There is still time to vote! Drop your ballots off before 8 p.m. at your local ballot box. Thank you!

05/16/2026

Thank you for voting!

05/11/2026

Thank you Ed Gallagher for your support in the Tillamook County Pioneer

In Support of Commissioner Bell
Posted on April 17, 2026 by Ed Gallagher

As a county resident and citizen volunteer, I have worked with Commissioner Bell on economic development and affordable housing issues for a number of years. I have always been impressed with her knowledge, focus and creativity in addressing these important issues in Tillamook County. The county will benefit from Commissioner Bell’s continuing strong leadership in the years ahead.

Ed Gallagher
Nehalem

05/11/2026

Thank you Trish and Marc Johnson for your support in the Tillamook County Pioneer

We Support Mary Faith Bell
Posted on April 19, 2026 by Editor

To the editor:

Tillamook County Commissioner Mary Faith Bell is an exemplary public servant – deeply informed, collaborative, compassionate, experienced and dedicated.

Mary Faith has our enthusiastic support as she seeks reelection to a position on the County Commission.

We have observed and benefited from Commissioner Bell’s extensive understanding of critical issues in Tillamook County, including the importance of rural health and senior care and community level emergency preparedness.

Mary Faith has been a strong proponent for developing a nursing program at Tillamook Bay Community College, where she also served on the college board. Given her perspective on local health care issues Mary Faith understands that creating opportunities for local students to pursue health care careers close to home is critical to staffing local health care facilities. Her support for the Nehalem Bay Health District is very much appreciated.

The Commissioner has also been a strong advocate for preparedness and resiliency efforts in the county, including the work of the Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay.

It is essential that our county commission continue to have the service of dedicated, informed and engaged leaders like Commissioner Mary Faith Bell.

Please join us in supporting her in the May 19 primary election. She deserves to be reelected. We are lucky to have her in an important position of leadership in Tillamook County.

Sincerely,
Trish and Marc Johnson
Neahkahnie

05/11/2026

Thank you ML Hilton for your support in the tillamook Tillamook County Pioneer

Mary Faith Bell for County Commissioner
Posted on April 22, 2026 by Marie

To the Editor:

I’m writing this to express my support for Mary Faith Bell for County Commissioner, Position 3. Since she was first elected, Mary Faith has shown that she has the temperament, acumen, curiosity, and communication skills for the position. Even when she wasn’t an incumbent and first running for the position, she was clear about her passion to protect and grow local jobs, emergency planning, public safety, infrastructure, housing, literacy, education, healthcare, and fiscal responsibility. Anything her constituents asked of her, she would listen, evaluate, and act. Her background and curiosity enabled her to educate herself about the issues facing Tillamook and since she gained the position, she has collaboratively, competently, and consistently delivered solutions for our community. This is in stark contrast to her opponent who doesn’t have the time to attend city council meetings on Zoom or who can speak with any definitive clarity on any substantive issues facing us. You have to ask yourself, if you were hiring for a position, would you prefer to have someone who devotes some time and energy to doing their homework about the job or someone who jumps in and hopes for the best after they get hired? I may be going out on a limb here, but “trust me bro” is not a good basis for governance.

ML Hilton
Tillamook

05/11/2026

Thank you Nancy Whitehead for your support in the Tillamook County Pioneer

LETTER TO EDITOR: Vote for Mary Faith Bell for County Commissioner
Posted on April 27, 2026 by Editor

I first met Mary Faith Bell when she volunteered in my classroom where her son was a student. She was always dependable, kind, and interested in learning more about what we did in class, all while working full time nights as a baker in McMinnville. As she has taken on jobs with more and more responsibility she has exhibited these same attributes always.

When I contemplate Jeff Spink’s Headlight Herald interview comments, I’m close to appalled. He hasn’t ‘had time’ to learn what a county commissioner’s job is or about the current issues the commissioners deal with. He would be a know-nothing-to-begin-with commissioner, and it’s difficult to tell if he’d work hard to learn if elected.

As a resident of downtown Hebo since 1990, I’m especially excited about Mary Faith’s work to qualify south Tillamook County as an economic opportunity zone, unlocking investment dollars for our area. Mary Faith has championed housing, more jobs and training (her work on the TBCC board shows steadfast commitment), new sewer and water infrastructure, and more, for our area. All these will help south county thrive.

I’m voting for demonstrated competence and commitment. I’m voting for Mary Faith Bell.

Nancy Whitehead

Hebo Or