Pinkerton announces bid for Dist. 1 commission seat

Lester “Les” Pinkerton announced his candidacy for the District 1 Boundary County commissioner seat. The position is currently filled by Wally Cossairt, and the primary election will be held in May 2024.

“Retirement brought me back home to Bonners Ferry. I want to give back to this community which instilled the values and work ethic that helped me excel," Pinkerton said.

Pinkerton is from a local, multi-generational farming family. He was educated at Mt. Hall Elementary School and then Bonners Ferry High School. His work experience started young, working family farms, the local feed mill, heavy equipment and construction, Pinkerton said.

Pinkerton furthered his education at North Idaho College and finished with a degree in forestry which led to a 32-year career with the U.S. Forest Service beginning in timber sale layout, surveying and wildland firefighting. During his career, he was certified as a federal law enforcement officer working in Alaska and Washington, ending in South Dakota while managing law enforcement programs for five national forests over four states.

He participated in special operations which took him to Washington, D.C., and national forests all over the country. He eventually became the center director for Job Corps, a residential learning program for at-risk youth.

To this day, he still has passion for supporting youth and sees them as the future of the community, Pinkerton said.

Presently, he is completing a term on the Boundary County Republican Central Committee, as vice chairman. He believes that the Idaho Republican Party's Platform is foundational for any candidate to uphold.

“I now wish to use my experience of managing extensive budgets, organizing agency collaborations and overseeing intense situations, and my knowledge of our dynamic community to continue my service to the citizens of Boundary County,” Pinkerton said.

Information: Pinkerton4Commissioner@gmail.com