Candidates file for state, local races
SANDPOINT — The race for the District 1 seat on the Bonner County commission is a busy one.
Five people are vying for the position, according to Bonner County Clerk’s Office election records.
Incumbent District 1 Commissioner Glen Bailey is being challenged for the Republican nomination in the May 20 primary by Patricia Palmer of Sandpoint and Marcia Phillips of Careywood. The winner of that contest will go on to face Sagle Democrat Steve Johnson and Sagle Independent Harold Glen Rainey Sr., in the Nov. 4 general election.
Todd Sudick of Priest River and Bald Mountain resident Victoria Zeischegg are competing for the GOP nod for the District 2 seat held by Commissioner Mike Nielsen, who is not running for re-election.
Incumbent county Clerk Ann Dutson-Sater is a shoo-in for the Democrat nomination. Michael Rosedale, a Sagle Republican, faces no competition for the GOP nomination in the clerk’s primary.
Treasurer Cheryl Piehl, Assessor Jerry Clemons and, Coroner Kathryn Rose, all of whom are Republicans, currently have no challengers in the primary or general election.
The West Bonner County School District, meanwhile, is making another pass at persuading voters to approve a $3.5 million maintenance-and-operations levy. A similar request was rejected by voters on Tuesday, but the district will reprise the levy question in the May 20 primary.
Bonner County landowners who reside within the Lakeland Joint School District will be asked to approve a $9.6 million supplemental levy.
In legislative races, Incumbent District 1 Sen. Shawn Keough is being challenged by Danielle Ahrens for the GOP nomination. Christian Fioravanti of Bonners Ferry and Jack Mervin of Blanchard, both Constitution party candidates, will be on the general election ballot for the District 1 seat.
Laura Bry of Sandpoint and Steve Tanner of Bonners Ferry will go head-to-head for the Democratic nomination for the Position A seat in the House of Representatives. Heather Scott of Blanchard and Stephen Snedden of Sandpoint are vying for the Republican nomination for the Position A seat, which is being vacated by Republican Eric Anderson.
Incumbent Position B Rep. George Eskridge will compete with Sage Dixon of Ponderay for the GOP nomination in May. The winner of that contest will go on to face either Andrew Sorg of Sandpoint or Bob Vickaryous of Bonners Ferry, who are both seeking the Democratic nomination for that post.
Incumbent District 7 Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll of Cottonwood has no primary challenger, but faces Osburn Democrat Casey Drews in the general election.
Incumbent District 7 Position A Rep. Shannon McMillan of Silverton faces Shauna Hillman of Wallace in the race for the GOP nod. The winner of that duel will compete with Bonner County’s Jessica Chilcott, a Democrat.
Incumbent District 7 Position B Rep. Paul Shepherd of Riggins is a shoo-in for the Republican nomination, but faces Sagle Democrat Kenneth Murray Meyers in the general election.
The deadline for candidates to declare their intentions and get their name on the ballot was on Friday. The deadline for write-in candidates in the primary to declare their intentions is April 22.