Democrat Nancy Thellman won a seat on the Douglas County Commission Tuesday night.

“One of my biggest issues was stewardship of the environment and trying to set aside our best soils for agriculture,” said Thellman, an ordained Presbyterian minister.

Thellman defeated Republican David L. Brown, a Vinland-area farmer and rancher and retired Douglas County Sheriff’s officer, 9,149 votes to 6,470 votes.

The Second District includes North Lawrence, southeastern Lawrence, Eudora, Baldwin City and the eastern half of the county.

In the last year, Thellman helped lead opposition to proposed industrial development near the Lawrence Municipal Airport saying prime agricultural soil needed to be protected. She also credited Brown for his work in the race.

Brown said he did his best and that both candidates stuck to the issues, such as the county’s role in a tough economy.

“I do have to credit the Democratic committee because they were very active,” he said.

Thellman’s victory means that Democrats now have a majority on the commission. Thellman takes over the seat of Republican Bob Johnson.

Republican Jim Flory, who won in the Third District Tuesday night, will join Thellman and Democrat Charles Jones on the new commission in January.