Harney County election races suddenly crowded (OR)

Eight people running for one County Court spot
By Scott Hammers / The Bulletin
Published Mar 6, 2016 at 12:03AM

... With three days to go until the filing deadline for the May 17 primary election, eight people have jumped into the race for a single seat on the county’s three-member County Court, the most crowded race in recent memory ...

Three people signed up to run for county judge — the chairperson of the court — when sitting Judge Steve Grasty declined to run for re-election. Harney County Sheriff David Ward, who along with Grasty was one of the most visible local faces throughout the occupation saga, has drawn a challenger, and two candidates are vying for the position of district attorney ...

County judge candidate Pete Runnels .. currently a county commissioner ... said the occupation and the issue of local control have spurred a level of interest in county races not seen in past years ... Runnels said he believes collaborative efforts can be productive in addressing land use issues .. but ... recalled the development of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan developed for the Malheur refuge, put in place about four years ago ...

When the plan moved to the public comment period, Runnels said only one local resident came forward to offer input ...

http://www.bendbulletin.com/exports/newsletters/main/4072085-151/harney-county-election-races-suddenly-crowded