Cris Patnode has emerged victorious in the Primary Election for Gilliam County Judge and will be the county's next executive officer, capturing more than 61% of the vote.
Patnode defeated Commissioner Leah Watkins and Condon Mayor Jim Hassing to win outright, with no need to hold a general election in the fall.
Patnode, who was raised outside of Condon and now lives in Arlington, has served as the Gilliam Co. Justice of the Peace for 24 years.
The Gilliam County Court is currently without a judge and commissioner, after Judge Elizabeth Farrar Campbell and Commissioner Pat Shannon were recalled last month. The county is awaiting for Governor Tina Kotek to name the interim judge and commissioner - and it is likely that Patnode will be chosen to fill that role.
In response to questions about her goals, Patnode says that she is excited to "create a unified vision for the prosperity county-wide."
Patnode says that her priorities as judge will be "healing county-wide, with a goal of working together for the good of Gilliam County, including talking with and listening to those we serve."
Having two-way and direct communication with staff and elected officials across all county departments is a key priority. "If it is necessary to enlist a trained communication professional to help us move forward, I am open to doing so," Patnode said.
Joining Patnode on the court will be Grant Wilkins, who won the Gilliam Co. Commissioner #2 race with 68% of the vote over incumbent Pat Shannon. By capturing more than 51% of the vote, Wilkins wins the election outright in the primary and there will be no need for a general election for commissioner in the fall.
Like Patnode, it is likely that Wilkins will be chosen to be the interim commissioner until his term starts in January of 2025.
A full article will follow in next week's edition of The Times-Journal.
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