UNION COUNTY — Jake Seavert has edged Mark Simmons for a seat on the Union County Board of Commissioners, according to unofficial results from the Nov. 5 election.

Seavert and Simmons emerged from a nine-person primary election in May. Seavert maintained an early lead throughout the evening of Nov. 5 and into the next morning.

“I am incredibly honored to have been chosen by the people of Union County to serve as your County Commissioner,” Seavert said in an official statement. “Thank you for placing your trust in me — I am excited to serve Union County and help make it a better place for everyone.”

Election results will not be certified for weeks to come, but the latest unofficial results, updated at about 4 a.m. on Nov. 6, showed Seavert with 6,712 votes (52.2%), while Simmons had 6,087 votes (47.4%).

Seavert, the president of the Union County Cattlemen’s Association, spent election night attending the 75th annual Farmer Merchant Banquet. Even though he knew the banquet date conflicted with election night, Seavert said he didn’t ask for the banquet date to be moved because he didn’t want to appear selfish.

In the end, he said, the evening served as a good distraction. Once the banquet wrapped up, he continued the evening with family and friends before returning home.

Seavert, who is also a division manager of Oregon Trail Livestock Supply, stressed the importance of agriculture to the county’s economy during his campaign. He emphasized the need to boost water availability.

“As your commissioner, I promise to keep working to strengthen our local economy, protect our resources, and ensure a bright future for the next generation,” he said.

Both candidates were looking to succeed Donna Beverage. Beverage is finishing her eighth and final term as commissioner.

Simmons was a state representative from 1997-2002 who served as speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives from 2000 to 2002. He is now the owner of Simmons and Co., a firm that negotiates sales between seed dealers and farmers.