Opinion
In Josephine County, where careful stewardship of public resources matters deeply to local families and businesses, Simon Hare is stepping forward once again to serve. A longtime resident whose family roots in the county stretch back to 1958, Hare is running for County Treasurer with a clear message of fiscal responsibility, greater openness, and practical experience earned through years of public service.
Hare first earned the trust of voters in 2010 when he was elected to the Josephine County Board of Commissioners, defeating an incumbent. Four years later, in 2014, residents returned him to office for a second full term. He completed both terms serving roughly eight years in total without being recalled or resigning from the position. During those years he worked alongside multiple fellow commissioners and two different county treasurers, gaining direct insight into how the Treasurer’s Office operates and how county finances, budgets, contracts, and services interconnect day to day.
That hands-on background is central to his candidacy. Over those eight years Hare helped appropriate and oversee more than a billion dollars in county funds, managed staff, and administered numerous contracts and grants. After leaving the Board of Commissioners, he later served the county as Budget Officer. In that role he was responsible for technical oversight of county funds, department allocations, and fiscal planning experience that further deepened his understanding of the systems the Treasurer’s Office manages every day. He describes himself as a fiscal conservative who believes in small, efficient, and transparent government.
What Hare Plans to Deliver as Treasurer
If elected, Hare has outlined concrete steps he intends to take:
- Increase transparency around the substantial tax revenue that flows through the Treasurer’s Office so the public can more easily see how funds are handled.
- Expand office hours to better accommodate working residents whose schedules do not fit the current limited window.
- Create an Investment Advisory Panel made up of experienced professionals to help maximize non-tax investment returns while carefully managing risk.
- Keep the office focused on its core responsibilities and out of unnecessary or costly litigation.
These priorities flow from his stated belief that taxpayers deserve clear information and careful management of the resources they entrust to county government. His prior work with two county treasurers and his time as Budget Officer give him a practical foundation for implementing those goals.
Hare’s connection to Josephine County is personal as well as professional. Raised in the Illinois Valley, he graduated from Illinois Valley High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from Oregon State University, and has remained tied to the area as a small-business owner and resident. He has spoken of a strong sense of duty to give back to the community that shaped him.
In a race that will be decided by voters who care about steady, experienced leadership over county finances, Hare presents himself as a candidate who has already been tested at the ballot box twice, served full terms without interruption, worked directly with the Treasurer’s Office, and later served as Budget Officer. His campaign emphasizes practical improvements more openness, better access for residents, and disciplined investment practices aimed at strengthening public confidence in how the county handles its money.
For those looking for a treasurer candidate with deep local roots, two successful elections behind him, direct experience working with county treasurers, and additional service as Budget Officer, Simon Hare is asking voters to give him the opportunity to continue serving Josephine County.
Sources
Ballotpedia – Simon Hare (Josephine County Treasurer, Oregon, candidate 2026): https://ballotpedia.org/Simon_Hare_(Josephine_County_Treasurer,_Oregon,_candidate_2026)
Josephine County Official Voters’ Pamphlet, May 19, 2026 Primary Election (candidate statement furnished by Simon Hare): https://cms9files.revize.com/josephinecountyor/JOSEPHINE%20MAY26%20VP_Digital_V2.pdf
The Siskiyou (Southern Oregon University) – 2010 Josephine County election results: https://siskiyou.sou.edu/2010/11/02/latest-josephine-county-results-all-races/
Jefferson Public Radio / IJPR – reporting confirming Hare’s prior service as commissioner and later role as Budget Officer: https://www.ijpr.org/politics-government/2026-02-13/josephine-county-moves-closer-to-filling-two-open-commissioner-seats
