The new Crook County Court will convene in January with only two members, who then must choose the third.

Of the candidates who have expressed interest, Jason Carr brings the best mix of knowledge, skill and commitment.

Carr has served on the Prineville City Council, as well as working for Economic Development for Central Oregon, Neighbor Impact, the Partnership to End Poverty and Cypress Creek Renewables. The former journalist has experience with high-level business negotiations and with budgeting and planning. He has deep knowledge of Prineville and Crook County issues, plus a regional focus that has included lobbying for local jobs in Salem.

Seth Crawford, now a commissioner on the court, won the top administrator position after incumbent Judge Mike McCabe decided not to seek re-election. Jerry Brummer defeated Carr for the other commissioner position.

That leaves Crawford and Brummer to name a new commissioner to fill out Crawford’s term.

Brummer has served on the Crook County Planning Commission and worked in Prineville’s Public Works Department for 20 years, including some years as its superintendent. Crawford, as well, has deep roots and involvement in the community, and his experience on the court will provide critical continuity.

Those strengths would be complemented by Carr’s broader background connecting Crook County’s issues with those of the region and state, and his more detailed understanding of business and economic development.

Crook County has made progress emerging from the recession and done well by making a successful home for Facebook and Apple data centers. But it still lags many other counties in attracting higher-paying jobs.

Carr is well-suited to assist in the critical planning and economic development needs of the county.

He is also smart, thoughtful and well-spoken, which would help keep dialogue constructive on contentious issues such as the recent Crook County Natural Resources Plan and related disputes between local residents and federal land managers.

Crawford and Brummer should choose Carr.

Editor’s note: This editorial has been corrected to accurately describe who Brummer defeated in the election.