BEND, OR -- As the four-way race for Deschutes County Commissioner heats up, the candidates’ ability to cultivate relationships takes center stage. 

Judy Trego is the Executive Director of the Sisters Chamber, and says she recently worked with state lawmakers to secure funding for the courthouse expansion by lobbying in Salem for $150 million,"And we were successful in doing that when no one said we would get the money." She adds, "The minute Rep. Levy got elected, I invited her to Sisters and got all the businesses together to meet with her, took her on a tour of Sisters."

Incumbent Commissioner Phil Chang says he’s also formed relationships in Salem, including work on an omnibus wildfire package, "That bill has now delivered over $10 million of funds for private land fuels reduction treatments in our community." He also says he built relationships with critical groups in the private sector, prior to getting elected, "Since I’ve been in office, those collaborative relationships have resulted in things like hundreds of more childcare slots available in our community." Chang also touts his work with federal lawmakers, including securing a grant with the help of U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, "I was able to help the La Pine Community Health Center secure $3 million to help expand the health center."

Trego says she's also worked with Oregon's Congressional delegation, "When Rep. Chavez DeRemer first got elected, I invited her to Sisters and we did a roundtable with businesses to see what their challengers were, and give her a to-do list to take back to Washington, DC."

Small business owner and youth coach Rob Imhoff says, "Doesn’t matter if you’re in business, doesn’t matter if you’re an athlete, doesn’t matter if you’re in a club or part of a group, the relationships you have, that’s what gives you the benefit of the doubt. It allows people to trust in your intention." Imhoff adds, "I want to be a bridge builder. In terms of specific relationships, as they would relate to a county commissioner, I have already had some discussions with some high level people, with regards to- like, some of the Deschutes Basin Hydrologists." He says, "I carry an endorsement of a very important farm bureau. Why? Because I understand and relate to farmers, and I’m willing to have a conversation and not be closed off with any bias that I’ve come to the table with."

A fourth candidate, former addiction counselor Brian Huntamer, announced Monday he is dropping out of the race to support Imhoff. 

For the first time, this is a non-partisan race. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes on May 21st, the top two go to the November ballot.