Primary election draws county candidates

SANDPOINT – Candidate filing closed Friday, March 13, with several contested races set for the May 19 Primary Election.

Republican District 2 county commissioner incumbent Asia Williams of Blanchard is opposed by another Republican, Jeff Roberts of Priest River.

In District 1, incumbent Brian Domke isn’t seeking reelection, opening the doors for Fred Arn of Sagle and Steve Smith of Sandpoint. Arn is running as an independent and Smith a Republican.

With County Clerk Michael Rosedale not seeking reelection, three others will seek election to take his place. JoAnne Guzzi, Roger N. Rudd and Spencer Hutchings are all running as Republicans for County Clerk.

Three county positions are unopposed. County Treasurer Clorissa Kloster of Sandpoint is seeking another term. Corey Gabel of Sandpoint is running unopposed for Assessor. Incumbent Coroner Robert Beers is running unopposed. All three are Republicans.

One of the most watched races will be for District 1 state senator. Two Republicans who have both ran against one another and won before will have another election contest.

Incumbent Jim Woodward of Sagle will face Scott Herndon of Sagle.

Two unrelated people with the same last name will seek the 1A state representative position, both running as Republicans.

Incumbent Mark Sauter of Sandpoint will face Jane Sauter of Cocolalla.

Three people are seeking the 1B state representative position currently held by Cornel Rasor. Republicans Rasor of Sagle and Chuck Lowman or Sandpoint and Independent Kathryn Larson of Sandpoint are seeking election.

In statewide races, 16 people registered to run for governor, including incumbent Brad Little. Little will be opposed by seven other Republicans, four Democratic candidates, two Independent candidates and two Libertarians.

In addition to Little, Daniel C. Fowler, Ethan Giles, Justin R. Plante, Lisa Marie, Mark Fitzpatric, Ron James and Sean Calvert Crystal are running as Republicans. On the Democratic ticket, Channell Torrenz, Jill C. Kirkham, Maxine Durand, and Terri Pickens are seeking election for governor. Independent candidates Jacob Burnette and John R. Stenger and Libertarian Party candidates Mellissa-Sue Robinson and Paul Strand are also running.

A Democrat and a Republican have registered to run for Lieutenant Governor. Eric Myers will run as a Democrat and Scott Bedke will run as a Republican.

Republican incumbent Phil McCrane is running unopposed for secretary of state Two have registered to run as state controller, Democratic candidate Rakeesh Mohan and Republican candidate Brandon D. Woolf.

Democratic Party candidate Kevin A. Jones and Republican Party candidate Julie A. Ellsworth are running for state treasurer.

For state attorney general, incumbent Raul Labrador is seeking reelection as a Republican and Lori Hickman is running as a Democrat.

Three candidates are running for superintendent of public instruction, Republican Debbie Critchfield, Democratic candidate Debbie Sundin Mitchell and Constitution Party candidate Teressa Roundy.

For federal office, incumbent senator Jim Risch is seeking another term. He is running against three other Republican Party candidates. Denny LaVe, Joe Evans and Josh Roy are seeking election. There are three Democratic Party candidates, Brad Moore, David Roth and Nicolas 007 Bonds. Todd Achilles and Natalie Flemming are running as an Independent Party candidates. Matt Loesby is running as a Libertarian.

Russ Fulcher will face two other Republicans for election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Andy Briner and Joseph Morrison. Seeking election as Democrats are Kaylee Peterson and Kenneth Brundgart. Brendon J. Gomez is running as a Constitution Party candidate and Sarah Zabel as an Independent Party candidate.