Three vie for Crook County judge; one candidate outspending others

It’s less than two months until Oregon’s primary election, and the race for Crook County judge is starting to heat up.

Current County Judge Mike McCabe — the county’s top elected official, a non-partisan post — is stepping down after 24 years, and three men are squaring off to fill the seat: current county commissioners Ken Fahlgren and Seth Crawford, along with Craig Brookhart.

All three candidates are bringing different ideas on hot topics such as the need for a new jail, job growth and affordable housing.

“I think it’s clear that the people in Crook County would like an experienced and effective leader to manage their affairs of their county,” Brookhart said.

The job’s salary is about $80,000 a year and the position is a four-year term.

Fahlgren said he wants to protect the Ochoco National Forest used by many residents.

“Growing jobs in Prineville is No. 1, if we could get to stable jobs, to jobs that pay well for families, it’s key to so many things,” Fahlgren said.

Crawford is looking at building a future for Crook County. Crawford said he would propose a bond measure that would go to voters to help build a new jail and start thinking about long term0projects that are in dire need.

He said long-term budget planning would help jump start a new swimming pool for the Prineville area.

Campaign finance records show Crawford has nearly $20,000 in funds for the campaign, more than twice the $7,951 in Fahlgren’s campaign coffers. Craig Brookhart says he has about $1,000 and won’t start posting his campaign signs until April.

Crawford said his campaign has spent the money locally by paying business for making his campaign signs.

Brookhart said he disagrees with raising big money and believes the judge race should be a grassroots effort on focusing on the county’s needs.

McCabe said late Wednesday he is supporting Ken Fahlgren in the May primary.

“Commissioner Fahlgren is the only candidate that has the knowledge to lead Crook County into the future,” McCabe wrote via text.

He went on to say he believes Fahlgren is the most informed candidates of the three and “knows there is more to being Judge than having a single issue.”

“There are many, many facets to our government, and Commissioner Fahlgren is the only candidate that understands this,” McCabe said.

If none of the three candidates get 51 percent of votes, the top two vote-getters in May will face off in the November general election.