GREEN RIVER And the winner for the open Sweetwater County Commission seat is …. none of the above.

So now a judge will decide.

As some expected, the two remaining Sweetwater County Commissioners could not agree Thursday on a replacement to fill the unexpired term of the late Commissioner Joe Oldfield, who died last month.

"I guess we're at an impasse," said Commissioner Debby Boese.

The commission heard presentations and queried the three candidates sent by county Democratic Party officials for consideration during a heavily-attended public forum Thursday night at the courthouse.

The Democratic candidates included former two-term commissioner John Pallesen of Green River, longtime Green River City Councilman Randy Walker, and retired school teacher Howard Logan, also of Green River.

The 65-year old Oldfield, of Rock Springs, died Aug. 7 after a brief illness. The popular Democrat and veteran school teacher had two years remaining on his term.

Following the give-and-take with the candidates, Commissioner Boese threw her support behind Walker. Commission Chairman Wally Johnson, however, said he favored Pallesen.

The commission's next move will be to send an official letter asking a local District Court Judge to select a county resident to fill the open seat, as required under state law.

Johnson noted the District Judge will not be bound to select one of the three Democratic Party nominations and can tab any county resident to fill the open seat.

Commissioners, however, said they would urge the judge to pick a commissioner from one of the three candidates.

Read more on this story in Saturday's Casper Star-Tribune.