One petition to recall Umatilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan is circulating
By Terry Murry on Monday, November 3rd, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA COUNTY – A petition to recall Umatilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan reported on here last week has been withdrawn. The petitioner, Christopher Waine of Pendleton, stated in withdrawing it that he wanted to change to stated reasons for the recall.
Elkhorn Media Group has learned that a petition that was filed earlier, rewritten, and refiled on Sept. 29 also calls for Rowan’s recall. It was filed by Nora Rodriguez of Hermiston.
Her official statement reads “May 16,2025, Sheriff Rowan was arrested and released for DUII and reckless driving. Subsequently Mr. Rowan pleaded no contest to both. Furthermore Umatilla County Sheriff’s tampered with a homicide investigation (on) June 10, 2025.”
Elections Manager Kim Lindell says Rodriguez is now collecting signatures. The required number of active registered voters’ signatures is 3,770. The deadline for gathering those signatures is Dec. 29.
The Umatilla County Election Division has 30 days from the date of the submitted petitions to verify and determine the result. If enough signatures are accepted, the sheriff will have five days to resign or submit a Statement of Justification. If he submits such a statement, a recall election will be held within 35 days.
Lindell said she will notify EMG if Waine refiles his petition.
