Mid-term election on Tuesday
BONNERS FERRY — Tuesday, Nov. 4 is election day and Boundary County residents have a full ballot. Mid-term elections often bring out less voters than presidential ones, but a number of choices face Idaho voters this season.
Local races have Assessor David Ryals, Clerk Glenda Poston and Coroner Mick Mellett running uncontested.
In the commissioner races, District 1 has incumbent Republican LeAlan Pinkerton running against Independent Ron Smith. District 2 has incumbent Republican Walt Kirby facing off against a trio of challengers from Moyie Springs, Democrat Tim Tucker, and Independents Terry Capurso and John White.
State legislative races have long-time Sen. Shawn Keough from Sandpoint facing Constitution Party candidate Christian Fioravanti from Bonners Ferry for the state senator seat. For State Representative, Democrat Laura Bry from Sandpoint faces Blanchard’s Republican Heather Scott for the position A seat, and Republican Sage Dixon from Ponderay against Democrat Andrew Sorg from Sandpoint.
Also on this term’s ballot are the U.S. Senator race, featuring Republican incumbent Jim Risch against Democratic challenger Nels Mitchell, and the District 1 U.S. Representative race, where Republican Raul Labrador is running for another term against Democrat Shirley Ringo from Moscow.
In the governor’s race, Republican incumbent C.L. “Butch” Otter has five challengers, Democrat A.J. Balukoff, who has staked more than $2.7 million of his own personal money on the campaign, Libertarian John Bujak who has spent considerably less, Constitution Party candidate Steve Pankey and independents Jill Humble and Pro-Life, who legally changed his name from Marvin Richardson.
Other state offices on the ballot are lieutenant governor, with Republican Brad Little facing challenges from Constitution Party candidate David Hartigan and Democrat Bert Marley. Secretary of State, Republican Lawerence Denney, is facing Democrat Holli Woodings and Controller, Republican Brandon D. Woolf is running alone on the ballot.
State Treasurer, Republican Ron Crane, faces Democrat Deborah Silver and Attorney General. Republican Lawrence Wasden is facing Democrat Bruce Bistline. Republican Sherri Ybarra is running to replace Tom Luna for superintendent against Democrat Jana Jones.
A constitutional amendment for the state of Idaho is also on the mid-term ballot, HJR 2, which clarifies the separation of powers between the Idaho legislative and executive branches. A yes vote on HJR 2 affirms the legislative branch’s power of oversight on executive rulemaking by state agencies through the governor’s office. A no vote would support the idea that the state constitution already provides adequate authority for state legislators.
Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on election day, Nov. 4.