John Wilson For Benton County Commissioner

On Tuesday, April 21st come to the Corvallis Public Library at 6:30 PM to hear John and Pat answer questions about the issues facing the County and get a chance to ask them your questions too.

Thank you to League of Women Voters of Corvallis for hosting and NAACP Linn Benton Branch for co-sponsoring.

We’re proud to announce John has received the endorsement of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV). The OLCV works to protect Oregon’s natural legacy, elect pro-environment candidates, and hold elected officials accountable. Vote for John on May 19^th to help protect Benton County and Oregon’s environment. 

John Wilson is proud to announce the Progressive Democrats of America – Oregon have endorsed him for Benton County Commissioner in the May, 19th Primary.

“I am grateful to the Progressive Democrats of America – Oregon for their support in my campaign to bring fresh leadership to Benton County.”

We’re proud to announce the endorsement of Our Revolution–Corvallis Allies and would like to extend an open invitation for a Campaign Meet & Greet this Friday (3/20) at Sky High Brewing, Corvallis from 4-6 PM. Campaign photo at the Benton County Courthouse to follow

CORVALLIS March 3, 2026 – Adair Village City Councilor, and candidate for Benton County Commissioner 1, John Wilson, was happy to see the Benton County Board of Commissioner’s unanimous decision to affirm, the Benton County Planning Commission’s decision to deny Republic Services/Valley Landfill’s conditional use permit LU-24-027 to expand the landfill.

Coffin Butte Landfill, which sits in Northern Benton County, is operated by Republic Services and Valley Landfill Inc. which accepts over 900,000 tons of trash every year from outside of the County. Benton County contributes approximately 67,000tons of waste to Coffin Butte Landfill or about 7% of the waste entering the Landfill. Coffin Butte Landfill has also faced criticism from Benton County residents over its release of methane, hydrogen sulfide, and PFAS into the surrounding environment.

In November of 2025, the Board of Commissioners had, in a 2-1 decision, voted to reject the Planning Commission’s unanimous decision to deny a conditional use permit to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. Then in December of 2025 the Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 to withdraw their previous decision and re-open the public record for reconsideration.

“It is quite gratifying to see the Board of Commissioners decide that the expansion of the landfill is not in the best interests of the community. However, Commissioner Malone’s deliberation statement was inadequate to explain why he changed his vote,” said John Wilson, Candidate for Benton County Commissioner. “It shouldn’t take the political pressure of a primary challenge to do the right thing for Benton County.”

The affirmation of the Planning Commission’s decision clears the way to begin addressing the future of the Coffin Butte Landfill. John Wilson has demonstrated his willingness to prioritize both the residents and environment of Benton County in his capacity as a Planning Commissioner and would continue to prioritize them as County Commissioner.

John Wilson is running for County Commissioner, Position 1 in the May 19^th Democratic Primary. “I’m ready to work tirelessly as County Commissioner and I look forward to earning your vote in the Primary.”

Learn more here about what John stands for. If you have specific questions, email John at john@john-wilson.org

COFFIN BUTTE LANDFILL

John has served as a Benton County Planning Commissioner for four years. Last year, after reviewing thousands of pages of evidence, listening to both Republic Services and Community members, and evaluating all the evidence in the record JOHN VOTED AGAINST EXPANSION of the Coffin Butte Landfill. John was incredibly disappointed when the Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 to disregard the Planning Commission’s recommendation and approve expansion of the landfill.

HOUSING

• Provide services
  
  John worked for over 20 years as a social worker. John will take that experience to serving all residents of Benton County, including the unhoused. John will work with the state and local providers to expand the role of Benton County’s Coordinated Homeless Response Office (CHRO) and on expanding emergency shelter capacity.
  

• Support Housing
  
  As an Adair Village City Councilor, John has supported infrastructure improvements to accommodate new housing developments. As your Commissioner, John will continue to support collaboration between the county and cities to support new workforce housing in Benton County so people who work here can live here!

• Allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
  
  John wants to see Benton County join neighboring counties in allowing ADUs to be developed on rural residential properties. John will support county code changes to allow rural ADUs.
  

CLIMATE

• As a lifelong environmental activist, John has worked with communities to help them recover from Hurricane Katrina and the deep water horizon oil spill, he has protested nuclear proliferation, and has served as a volunteer ranger with the national park service. John will take his lifelong perspective to the county to support serious climate action.

TRANSPORTATION

• As a Benton County Planning Commissioner and member of the Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) John has been involved in Benton County planning for years. He is going to bring that experience to the county to support alternate transportation infrastructure, and expanding EV charging infrastructure.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

• John knows the best way to engage communities is to meet folks where they’re at. That’s why John is committed to holding town halls as often as possible to really engage with residents and hear from them.

FEDERAL OVERREACH

• Supports Oregon’s Sanctuary Laws
  
  John strongly supports Oregon’s sanctuary state status and laws that prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE. He recognizes that ICE’s primary mission has not been to enforce administrative regulations, but rather terrorize communities and stoke a culture of fear.

• Opposes Election Interference
  
  Voting in Oregon is managed by the counties. John knows the federal government has no place in the administration of elections and will never back down to federal attempts to ban vote by mail or state administration of elections.

• Protect LGBTQ+ Rights
  
  The father of a trans child, John will fight like hell to protect the LGBTQ+ community and stand up for the rights of all marginalized communities.

Thanks to people like you, the Campaign kick off party was a great success! Every dollar raised will be used to reach voters across the County. John is ready to earn your vote for County Commissioner in the May 19th, Democratic Primary.

Thank you to Common Fields for their hospitality.

Join us for a campaign kick off celebration, Saturday, January 10th, 1-4 PM at Common Fields in Corvallis. Candidate Wilson will share remarks at 2 PM. All are welcome.

Adair Village, OR – Adair Village City Councilor, and candidate for Benton County Commissioner John Wilson was shocked and pleased to learn this morning that in light of opponents’ appeal of the Coffin Butte Conditional Use Permit, LU24-027 to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA), the Board of Benton County Commissioners have chosen to avail themselves of an Oregon statute that allows for reconsideration of their decision.

“It’s unfortunate that Commissioner Malone decided to listen to the constituents on this issue only after I entered the race. It shouldn’t take the specter of a primary challenge to get the Commissioners to heed the overwhelming testimony in opposition to the expansion permit,” Councilor Wilson said. “Fresh leadership is needed to truly reflect the interests of Benton County voters.”

This decision is not a denial but a motion to withdraw the Board’s approval and allow for further consideration. “Reconsidering the expansion permit is a step in the right direction but the underlying issue remains, Commissioner Malone is out of touch with the constituents in our rural communities,” said Councilor Wilson.

Councilor Wilson asks the voters of Benton County for their support in the May 19, 2026 Democratic Primary. County leadership should be responsive to the community when health and safety are on the line.

ADAIR VILLAGE, Ore. – Adair Village City Councilor John Wilson has announced that he is running for Benton County Commissioner Position 1 and has filed his paperwork for the May 19, 2026, Democratic Primary.

“Benton County needs fresh leadership that listens to the voters and reflects back the expectations of the residents of Benton County,” Councilor Wilson said. “The voters deserve a change that better represents their priorities.”

Councilor Wilson said “I was very disappointed with the recent vote of the County Commission to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. As a Benton County Planning Commissioner, I voted against Republic Services’ land use application and the Board of Commissioner’s reversal of the Planning Commission’s unanimous denial felt like a gut punch.”

Councilor Wilson will listen to the voices of our rural communities and provide responsive leadership when approaching land use matters that may impact the health and safety of our residents across Benton County.

As an avid cyclist, Councilor Wilson has always supported active transportation, such as multiuse paths and bikeways, and is ready to work to connect our communities across Benton County.

Wilson’s background as a social worker positions him well to seek solutions to the affordability crisis in Benton County, and identify the needs of the unhoused. He will continue to support the work of the county’s Coordinated Homeless Response Office (CHRO) in addressing this acute crisis.

Councilor Wilson encourages the voters of Benton County to embrace positive change and asks for their vote in the May 19, 2026, Democratic Primary!