With 11 of 12 precincts reporting, Lauren Stroh trailed in her bid to win the election for Kingfisher County’s next court clerk.

But when the final results were posted, the Okarche native found herself victorious.

Stroh won the closest race in the county Tuesday as she edged Jessica Conner by a count of 1,434-1,196.

She’ll succeed Lisa Markus, who is retiring at the end of this year.

Conner, who lives in Kingfisher, has worked on Markus’ staff for the past 10 years.

She carried three of the four Kingfisher precincts and garnered 99 more votes overall among those voters.

However, Stroh’s hometown pulled her through.

Voters on the county’s south end checked her name 220 more times in a race that saw her win by 238 votes and just over 9 percentage points.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank the voters of Kingfisher County. Voting is the foundation of our democracy and it is what shapes our great community,” said Stroh, who has worked the past eight years in the Canadian County court clerk’s office.

“Every vote matters and I’m so appreciative of those of you who chose to use your vote to elect me as your next Kingfisher County court clerk. All election results are unofficial until certified, but Stroh is expected to take office in January 2025.

“I am eager to be sworn in next January and serve our county diligently. I would also like to thank my family, friends and supporters for helping me along this journey,” Stroh told the KT&FP.

“From the encouraging words to graciously allowing me to place a sign on your property, every act of kindness did not go unnoticed.”