Hot competition in county elections

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SANDPOINT — Participating in government is one of the perks of living in a democratic country, and voting is one of the most common ways Americans take part.

Above and beyond voting, some residents in Bonner County have chosen to do more.

Friday at 5 p.m. marked the deadline for registering as a candidate in this year’s upcoming election.

Fifty people are running in the May 17 primary election, over half of which are running as Republicans in the committee precinct races — 28 are running as Republicans, seven as Democrats.

Committeemen and women are elected by voters who are registered in their chosen political party. Because of the traditional two-party system, applicants can either run as a Republican or Democrat.

Despite the massive interest in becoming elected members of their chosen political party, committee members can only make decisions involving their own political party. All of the other positions in the upcoming election influence governance on a larger scope.

County commissioners function, more or less, as the president’s of the county. The three-member board has the power to approve or deny matters involving the county’s budget, local services — like the ambulance, and many other highly-necessary decisions that greatly influence an individual’s daily life in Bonner County.

Commissioner Chairman Dan McDonald is retiring after two terms, five people are vying for the District 3 seat— David C. Bowman of Sandpoint. Richard A. Harter of Clark Fork, Ron H. Korn Jr. of Sandpoint, Benjamin L. Omodt of Sandpoint, and Brian A. Riley of Sandpoint.

Also up in this year’s election is District 2 commissioner seat, currently held by Jeff Connolly of Priest River, who is seeking reelection. Also seeking the seat are Randi L. Flaherty of Priest River and Asia L. Williams of Blanchard.

However, the county commissioner seats are not the only elections that will experience a competitive race. Three people are in the running for county assessor. Put simply, the county assessor determines the monetary value of personal property, and real property for tax purposes. Incumbent Donna E. Gow of Hope is running for reelection against Jessi A. Webster of Sandpoint, and Grant W. Dorman of Sandpoint. Although not an incumbent, Webster currently works for the county as deputy clerk and public information officer for the Bonner County Commissioner’s Office.

The Treasurer’s Office will be a heads-up race between Dennis Colton Boyles of Sagle and

Clorissa A. Koster of Kootenai. Koster is currently working for the county in the Election Office — her employment within the election office will not impact the results of the Treasurer’s race.

Coroner Robert W. Beers, and Clerk Michael Rosedale are both running unopposed for reelection.

After the May 17 primary, the general election will be on Nov. 20. To contact any of the candidates mentioned in this article, contact the Bonner County Election Clerk at 208-265-1432.