Stolley wins sheriff race by nearly 700 votes

BOUNDARY COUNTY — Travis Stolley has won the Republican nomination in the race for Boundary County sheriff with 1,958 votes, or 687 votes more than his closest competitor. 

There are no Democratic Party candidates. The last day for write-in candidates to file a declaration of intent to run in the general election is Sept. 6.

Stolley said the it doesn't matter whether someone voted for him or not, the role Sheriff is too lead the Sheriff Department and work alongside the men and women of the department it enforce the law. 

"I'm ready to got to work and create a professional work place and serve the community," he said. 

Stolley added that fellow candidate Jon VanGesen had called and congratulated him on election night once results were in. Stolley said between now and general election in November there could be a write-in candidate and force him to stay on the campaign trail. However, he was hopeful to use the time to start preparing his transition to Sheriff. 

He said Sheriff Dave Kramer is willing to help with the transition of a new Sheriff. 

With 51% voter turnout, he noted that the community was invested in the Sheriff race and he thanked all those that came out to meet with the candidates, did their research and voted. 

Jon VanGesen received 1,271 votes while Dave Schuman received 551 in the Sheriff's race. 

In the Boundary County Commission race in District 1,  Lester Pinkerton ran unopposed and earned 3,011 votes. District 3 incumbent Ben Robertson also ran unopposed and received 3,058 votes. 

County Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid ran unopposed and received 2,914 votes. 

Two Boundary County Republican Central Committee incumbents lost their seats to challengers. In the Bonners Ferry/Kootenai precinct Dave Walter defeated incumbent Gregory Lamberty 287 votes to 167. 

For the Copeland precinct, Erik Olsen defeated incumbent Mark Moselsey 192 votes to 137. Olsen was previously a state committeeman for the Idaho Republican Party. 

Running unopposed and retaining their BCRCC seats is Caleb Davis of Moyie Springs with 703 votes, Dave Wenk of Naples with 528 votes and Sue Larson of Valley View with 437 votes. 

Mike Klaus, city of Bonners Ferry administration/engineer ran unopposed for the North Bonners Ferry precinct, gathering 585 votes. The position was previously held by Lester “Les” Pinkerton who did not seek reelection, as he was running for county commissioner.