2026 primary election results

Republican Central Committee candidates sweep major offices

By Soncirey Mitchell
Reader Staff

More than 45% of Bonner County residents showed up for Idaho’s May 19 primary, according to the Idaho Secretary of State’s unofficial results, with the election’s outcome reflecting the broader power struggle between the increasingly disparate wings of the Republican party.

While ultra-conservative candidates did suffer primary losses throughout Idaho — including five of the so-called Gang of Eight legislators who oppose virtually all state spending increases — in Legislative District 1 and local races, candidates representing the more hardline wing of the state GOP earned wins in the area’s most powerful positions.

In Bonner County, the party has largely split into two factions: a more right-leaning side, exemplified by former-Sen. Scott Herndon, the Bonner County Republican Central Committee and its endorsed candidates, and a side often characterized as more “moderate,” with officials such as Sen. Jim Woodward and Rep. Mark Sauter. BCRCC candidates came out ahead in the primary; however, most will still face challengers from other parties in the Nov. 3 general election.

All tallies are unofficial until the state canvass deadline on Tuesday, June 9, at which point they will have been certified by election officials.

Bonner County Clerk Mike Rosedale told the Reader that the election’s voter turnout was “roughly where we thought” it would be, with vote totals similar to those of primaries past. Still, tallying and verifying each vote kept volunteers and elected officials up well into the early hours of May 20.

“This is the most complicated election out of every two-year cycle, and the reason it’s complicated is because it’s the primary,” said Rosedale. “This year, we had three parties, and nonpartisans. So you have those four ballot faces at every precinct, always.”

In addition to the different partisan ballots, some precincts saw fire district and school levies. For parts of the county, such as the Airport Precinct, polling places stocked as many as 16 different ballot types.

In the highest offices, incumbent Gov. Brad Little will go on to represent the Republican party in the gubernatorial election against Democratic challenger Terri Pickens. At the federal level, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch won the Republican nomination as the incumbent and will face off against Democrat David Roth and Libertarian Matt Loesby. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher also earned the Republican Congressional Dist. 1 nomination and will face Democrat Kaylee Peterson in November.

Legislative Dist. 1

BCRCC-endorsed candidates swept Republican races at the state level, marking a noticeable win for the area’s ultra-conservative faction. The race for the Republican nomination for Dist. 1 state senator was hotly contested, with Herndon looking to reclaim the seat from incumbent Woodward, who previously bested him in the 2018 and 2024 elections. Herndon won the nomination by a margin of only 1,040 votes and will go on to face Independent Steve Johnson in the general election.

“I’m honored by the trust District 1 voters placed in me and in the full slate of conservative candidates who won last night,” Herndon told the Reader. “District 1 again had the highest voter turnout of any legislative district in Idaho — our voters are engaged and they made their voices heard. My next steps are simple: prepare for the November general election and continue the work voters sent me to do — property tax relief, parental rights and accountable government.”

In addition to his time as senator, Herndon has served as the BCRCC chair and Westmond precinct committeeman.

The Republican nomination for Dist. 1 state representative went to BCRCC-endorsed challenger Jane Sauter, who will take over from current Rep. Mark Sauter (no relation). She, too, won by just 1,040 votes and will face Democrat Karen Matthee in November.

“Above all, I give thanks to God for His guidance, strength and grace throughout this election season,” wrote Jane Sauter on her campaign’s Facebook page. “Campaigns can test your faith, and I am amazed at the wisdom, peace, and perseverance He provided every step of the way.”

“This victory belongs to all of us who believe Idaho is worth protecting and that government works best when it remains accountable to the people it serves,” she later added.

Incumbent Rep. Cornel Rasor retained the Republican nomination for Dist. 1, claiming victory against challenger Chuck Lowman by a wide margin of nearly 4,000 votes, and earning the chance to face Democratic candidate Birgid Niedenzu.

“To the voters who placed their trust in me: Your faith in this campaign and in a better future for our communities means more than I can express,” wrote Rasor on his personal Facebook page. “You showed up, you spoke out, and you have chosen. I am deeply humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve you.”

Bonner County

Bonner County Dist. 2 Commissioner Asia Williams lost her seat to Jeff Roberts by nearly 3,500 votes, marking another win for the BCRCC’s majority. Roberts, a member of the anti-communist political group the John Birch Society and the anti-government militia group the Three Percenters, will go into the general election uncontested.

“It’s difficult to fully express my gratitude for the trust and responsibility the citizens of Bonner County have placed in me,” wrote Roberts on his campaign Facebook page. “Thank you. Throughout this campaign, I have leaned on faith, trusting in God’s divine providence and His plan for our nation and our home here in Idaho. I am truly grateful for the blessing of living in this great state.”

Uncontested Republican nominee Steve Smith will join him on the November ballot, running for Dist. 1 commissioner against Independent candidate Fred Arn.

The Republican nomination for Bonner County Clerk was one of only two local races divided between three candidates; at least initially, because though candidate JoAnne Guzzi appeared on the ballot, she dropped out well before the election. Despite that, she received more than 1,000 votes. Of the remaining two candidates, Roger Rudd beat Spencer Hutchings for the nomination and will enter the general election uncontested. Barring an unprecedented write-in campaign, Rudd will take the position over from Rosedale, who will retire after more than a decade with the county.

“To the people of Bonner County, I take this honor with much appreciation and humility,” wrote Rudd on his campaign Facebook page. “I promise to serve EVERY one of you with integrity, dedication, and a heart for this community.”

Due to the increasing prevalence of hard-line conservative ideals within the local Republican central committee, candidates and voters put special emphasis on precinct committee member elections this year. A coordinated wave of Republicans sought to challenge the existing hierarchy by running against BCRCC and Herndon-aligned candidates. Of the 15 candidates involved in the attempt to upset the existing committee power structure, nine won and/or maintained seats on the BCRCC. The board is made up of one representative from each of the county’s 30 precincts.

Ballot Measures

Of four proposed ballot measures throughout the area, only one passed: the Northside Fire Protection District Levy. The measure received 55.40% of the vote, giving the district temporary authority to increase its annual budget by $689,112 beginning in 2027 and expiring no later than 2029. The additional funds stem from a property tax levy, which will cost area homeowners an additional $21 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year. All money will go toward staff retention and operational costs.

Both the Westside Fire Protection District Levy and the Selkirk Recreation District Levy lost, despite winning more than 50% of the vote, given that they needed 66.67% to pass. Finally, more than 77% of Bonner County voters and 57% of Kootenai County voters sided against the Lakeland Joint School District Plant Facilities Levy, which would have added $3 million per year to the district’s budget for five years.

See a full breakdown of the state’s election results at voteidaho.gov.

CORRECTION: This article has been amended to reflect that Scott Herndon was not aligned with the Gang of Eight during his previous term in the Idaho Senate.