Seth Crawford is leading the race for the open seat on the Crook County Commission against his opponent Ken Fahlgren. The race pitted incumbent Crawford, 44, against former commissioner and long-time Prineville business owner Fahlgren, 66. Crawford ran on the platform that he will maintain Prineville’s small-town feel by pushing back against government programs that don’t align with Prineville’s community values. Fahlgren, on the other hand, leaned on his business sense and eight years of experience working in the county government.

These results only reflect the first batch of ballots counted in Crook County, but Crawford said he was feeling optimistic. As of Wednesday afternoon, Crawford held 52.4% of the vote and Fahlgren had 47.2%.

“I think it’s great. I know they have more ballots to be counted — so it’s still wait and see — but I’m feeling pretty confident, and I think the numbers are going to keep going the way they are,” Crawford said. “I want to thank all my supporters, my wife and my three daughters for standing behind me and working so hard.”

In March, Crook County ditched its old form of governance — a court comprising two part-time commissioners and one full-time judge who operated as an administrator — to a commission with three full-time commission seats. The new seat pays $88,803 annually