Two run for Crook County Court post
Former state lawmaker wants to be local voice
By Rachael Scarborough King / The Bulletin
Published: October 22. 2006 5:00AM PST
Eight years ago, Lynn Lundquist was one of most powerful politicians in the state, serving as speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives.
Now, Lundquist, a Republican, said he wants to return to the political arena in Crook County. He is challenging Democratic incumbent Mike Mohan for commissioner on the Crook County Court. Mohan has served one four-year term as commissioner, a part-time position that pays $30,507 a year.
Lundquist said he is seeking the seat on the county commission because he wants to take an active role in the residential and business growth that has already started to move into Crook County.
“I believe that Crook County has a great challenge ahead of it in regards to the rapid growth that’s going to come,” Lundquist said. “My desire is to oversee that growth at the same time that we maintain our rural lifestyle and culture as much as possible.”
Lundquist represented Central and Eastern Oregon in the state Legislature from 1995 until 2000, serving as Speaker of the House in 1997 and 1998.
He is currently the president of the Oregon Business Association and a part-time rancher in Powell Butte. He has lived in Crook County since 1976 and was formerly president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association.
He started his political career as a member of the Crook County Planning Commission.
Lundquist said that while he wwas working in Salem he kept the interests of Crook County at heart. For example, he worked on legislation that led to the creation of turning lanes on state Highway 126.
“I’ve decided it’s time to come home, so to speak, (to) bring my qualifications, experience and leadership to help Crook County,” he said.
Lundquist said that one of his top priorities throughout his political career has been education. He is especially proud of he and his wife’s efforts in taking in 11 needy teenagers over the years.
“These were kids that were having problems and these teenagers simply needed two basic things, they needed a love and they needed a loving discipline,” he said.
Another central goal, Lundquist said, is making the legislative process as transparent as possible. Last year, Lundquist disagreed with Mohan about rerouting Powell Butte Highway and served on a committee that recommended shaving the curves’ banks. Lundquist called the county commission’s actions in that situation “inappropriate.”
“They basically had their mind made up and then came to the people to get their input,” he said. He added that the county government should focus on customer service when serving the public.
Lundquist’s campaign signs have popped up around Powell Butte and Prineville, and he said he has also been mailing brochures and going door-to-door to talk to voters.
One series of five signs reads, “Common-Sense Approach/ Experience to Lead/ Listens to the People/ That’s Who We Need!/ Lundquist: Commissioner.”
“People will vote for someone if they have the trust in them because they may not agree with the candidate on every position,” he said. “I love Crook County, we chose to move here and I’m very, very sincere in wanting to keep Crook County as much Crook County as we can and still manage the growth that comes.”