Woodward, Sauter win in legislative races

Candidates expressed appreciation for voters, regardless of how they voted following the final counting of ballots in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

"I appreciate the support of so many throughout the community in this primary election campaign," Jim Woodward said after defeating Scott Herndon to claim the Republican nod in the District 1 Idaho Senate seat.

Woodward received 6,336 votes in Bonner County and 1,883 in Boundary County for a total of 8,219 votes or 51.94%, defeating Scott Herndon who received 5,752 votes in Bonner County and 1,854 in Boundary County for a total of 7,606 votes or 48.06%. 

Woodward will face Daniel Rose and Steve Johnson, who are running as independents, in the general election Nov. 5.

After a contentious primary election, Woodward said he is looking forward to continued conversations with district residents.

"My goal is to serve and represent the community which requires listening to and understanding the thoughts, needs, and desires of all," Woodward said. " I promise to do that and more. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions."

In race for the Idaho House 1A seat, Democrat Karen Matthee will face Republican Mark Sauter, who defeated challengers Jane Sauter, who is not related, and Spencer Hutchings.

Mark Sauter received a total of 7,622 votes between the two counties, 5,906 in Bonner County and 1,716 in Boundary County, for a total of 49.88% of the vote. Jane Sauter, who is not related, had 4,828 total votes (4,155 in Bonner County and 673 in Boundary County) for a total of 31.6% of the vote. Spencer Hutchings received 2,830 total votes (1,702 in Bonner County and 1,128 in Boundary County) for a total of 18.52% of the vote.

Matthee, who ran unopposed, received 1,048 votes (925 in Bonner County and 123 in Boundary County). 

In the race for the Idaho House 1B seat, Republican Cornel Rasor defeated Chuck Lowman, 7,623 votes to 7,042 votes, or 51.98% to 48.02% to claim the party's nomination for the race. Rasor received 6,091 votes in Bonner County and 1,532 votes in Boundary County. Lowman received 5,297 votes in Bonner County and 1,745 in Boundary County.

In the general election Nov. 5, Rasor will face off against Kathryn Larson, who won the Democratic Party nod for the seat. 

Kathryn Larson with 987 total votes (873 in Bonner County and 114 in Boundary County) for 91.9% of the vote, handily defeating Bob Vickaryous, who had 87 total votes (72 in Bonner County and 15 in Boundary County) for 8.1% of the vote.

In the District 1 county commission race, Brian Domke defeated Brian Riley and James Burroughs to claim the party nomination for the seat. 

Domke received 6,668 votes, or 54.28% of the vote; Riley received 4,868 or 39.64%; and Burroughs received 749 or 6.10% of the vote.

Running unopposed to represent the Democratic Party in the general election was Meghan Yeats who had 965 votes.

In the District 3 county commission seat, Ron Korn defeated incumbent Luke Omodt and fellow challenger Dimitry Borisov for the Republican nod for the seat. Korn received 6,356 votes, or 48.81%; Omodt received 5,023 votes, or 38.57% and Borisov received 1,643 votes, or 12.62%.

Korn will face Glenn Lefebvre, who is running as an independent candidate, in the November general election.

Omodt said the voters made their decision and have his respect.

"I wish commissioner-elect Korn the best and I look forward to devoting the time to my family that they deserve," Omodt said.

Korn thanked voters for their support and for those who worked hard on his campaign.

"It is overwhelming," Korn said. "I am honored, humbled and blessed with your support."

Korn said he's meet people during the campaign who would never otherwise have met. 

"I cherish these new relationships as well as my existing ones and look forward to serving you all if elected in November as your District 3 commissioner, Lord willing," he added. "My goal is to return constitutional government and representation to our Bonner County republic, as the people evidently do to per their votes."

Assessor Dennis Engelhardt, who was appointed to the seat in June 2023 is running unopposed. Engelhardt was appointed to the post after Grant Dorman stepped down for health reasons. In the race, Engelhardt received 10,240 votes.

Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall, who is running as a Republican, is unopposed for the seat. Marshall had 9,719 votes.

In the race for the Republican nod for Bonner County Sheriff, incumbent Daryl Wheeler defeated  challenger Steve Bradshaw, who previously held the District 1 Bonner County Commissioner seat. Wheeler had 9,822, or 77.17%, compared to 2,906 votes or 22.83% for Bradshaw. There is no Democratic Party candidate.

The Kootenai-Ponderay Sewer District Bond was approved with 429, or 73.84% voting for the measure, and 152, or 26.16 voting against.

Four candidates filed for the District 1 U.S. Representative race — Brendan Gomez for the Constitutional Party, Kaylee Peterson for the Democratic Party, Matt Loesby for the Libertarian Party and Russ Fulcher for the Republican Party. All are running unopposed for the right to represent their party in the general election.

Fulcher had 9,722 votes in Bonner County with an estimated half of the counties reporting; Peterson had 1,004; Loesby, 45; and Gomez, 46. In Boundary County, Fulcher received 2,935 votes, Peterson received 124 votes, Loesby received 9 votes, and Gomez received 7 votes. 

Statewide, Fulcher received 108,748 votes, Peterson received 13,980 votes, Loesby received 519 votes and Gomez received 325 votes.