Domke declines early appointment to BOBC seat

SANDPOINT — If he's appointed, Brian Domke made it clear Friday that he will not serve — at least until he is slated to be officially sworn in as Bonner County District 1 commissioner Jan. 13.

Domke advised Bonner County Republican Central Committee members and Bonner County commissioners that he would decline to take the seat early following a BCRCC resolution finding the seat to be vacant and appointing Domke to the seat.

"Given the differing opinions between the Idaho Governor’s Office and the BCRCC on this matter, I believe that should the Bonner County Board of Commissioners take action to follow the recommendations outlined in the BCRCC’s resolution, legal action against the county could result," Domke said in an announcement sent to county officials and local media. "Our local Bonner County government and its taxpayers cannot afford to defend against litigation that can be avoided."

Since he is scheduled to take office Jan. 13, when officials will take their oaths of office, Domke said he would decline to accept the appointment if Bonner County commissioners Asia Williams and Ron Korn followed suit and moved to name him to the seat ahead of that date.

Domke said he also wishes to limit potential litigation if current commissioner Steve Bradshaw, who contends he remains a county resident and has no plans to step down from his seat early, files suit.

"It will be my honor to begin serving our community as the District 1 Bonner County commissioner when I take the oath of office on 1/13/2025," he added.

Domke's announcement drew praise from both Bradshaw and BCRCC Chairman Scott Herndon.

"Thank you, Brian, for being a wise man," Bradshaw said in an email response to Domke. "You are going to be an excellent commissioner and an asset to Bonner County."

Herndon applauded Domke for his "reasonable" position, then took a veiled swipe at Bradshaw.

"Thank you for living in Bonner County, being present, and actually being a resident and following the law while you prepare to represent us," he said.

Domke was elected to the District 1 seat in the Nov. 5 general election, defeating Democrat Steve Johnson, 20,178 to 8,559. Bradshaw had declined to run for reelection, instead challenging Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler for the seat.

Over the last several months, Bradshaw has largely attended county meetings via Zoom and last attended a meeting in person Oct. 8. Herndon said previously that Bradshaw said that he planned to step down in October and was told by several county officials that he stopped by their offices at that time to say goodbye.

The BCRCC declared the seat vacant in mid-November, saying Bradshaw's home had been vacated and knocks on his doors went unanswered. Herndon said documents show that Bradshaw had purchased property in Wood County, Texas.

Bradshaw has disputed claims he has moved to Texas; instead, he said he remains a Bonner County resident and plans to fulfill his duties as a commissioner until his term ends Jan. 13.

“If owning a piece of real estate in another state is an issue, then I guess half of our county and the state legislators have an issue,” Bradshaw said in a Nov. 7 response to an email sent by Herndon to BCRCC members earlier that day. “I have not declared residency other (sic) than Bonner County, Idaho.”

Saying that Idaho Code was clear on what constituted an open seat, BCRCC said they were obligated to act. The committee submitted three candidates, which included Domke, to fill the rest of Bradshaw's term after precinct committeemen voted to declare the seat vacant in mid-November.

However, Idaho Gov. Brad Little declined to act on the nomination, saying he'd received no resignation letter from Bradshaw nor written confirmation from the Bonner County Commission that a vacancy existed.