Scott, Nielsen and Rich prevail in general election

SANDPOINT — Republicans Mike Nielsen and Lewie Rich won their races for county commission seats, while Clerk Marie Scott was the only Democrat to prevail in Bonner County.

Nielsen won election to the District 2 seat by the widest margin of all the candidates in a contested race. He defeated former Commissioner Brian Orr by 3,972 votes. Nielsen ended the contest with 8,837 votes, compared to Orr’s 4,865.

“I like the fact that it was a good comfortable margin,” said Nielsen, who won the GOP nomination in May against incumbent Joe Young.

Nielsen said he was mostly satisfied with his first foray into politics, although he admits he could have prepared better for one of the forums back in the primary.

“Other than that, I was really pleased,” he said.

Orr was out of town on Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.

Rich fended off Democratic challenger Melissa “Mel” Davis by a margin of 3,717 votes. Rich crossed the finish line with 8,631 votes, while Davis finished with 4,914.

“It has been an amazing experience,” said Davis, who remained upbeat despite the loss.

Davis said her biggest struggle during the campaign was overcoming her disinclination toward public speaking. She was pleased with the result especially considering she is a political newcomer in a predominately Republican county.

Rich had the advantage of being able to campaign during county commission meetings, something Davis disagreed with.

“It’s really hard to organize a campaign when you have to put food on the table, raise children and make ends meet,” she said.

A message seeking comment from Rich was not returned on Wednesday.

Scott earned the privilege of a sixth term in office in a fairly close race with former Republican Commissioner Bud Mueller. Scott tallied 7,412 votes and Mueller collected 6,259, a difference of 1,153 votes.

“I can just be thankful that I have as many Republican friends as I do,” said Scott. “It takes people from all walks of life to put you in office and to keep you in office.”

Mueller did not respond to a message seeking comment.

Treasurer Cheryl Piehl and Assessor Jerry Clemons, both Republican incumbents who were challenged in the primary, were shoo-ins in the general, as was Coroner Kathryn “Kitt” Rose who had no competition this election cycle.

Magistrate Debra Heise kept her seat on the bench, with 8,972 people in favor of retention and 2,126 people who were not.

Scott said the unofficial voter turnout in the general election was just over 60 percent. There were 937 election-day registrations and 3,379 people voted absentee — the latter of which is a record for a midterm election.

In 2006, 2,589 people voted absentee. In 2001, 1,235 people elected to vote absentee.

Scott anticipates the number of absentee voters will increase as time goes on.

“People like the ability to be able to sit at their kitchen table with their cup of coffee and contemplate the ballot,” she said.