By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff
A lineup is set for the May 17 state and local primary elections in Bonner County.
Democrat Ken Meyers announced his candidacy for the Idaho Senate following the March 11 deadline to file paperwork. Meyers is unopposed in the Democratic primary election for the seat occupied by Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwood.
“I think the things that are happening in Boise with the state legislature—and particularly with Sheryl Nuxoll—has an idealogical basis,” Meyers said. “They’re not focused on making Idaho better.”
Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll.
A former Washington State University veterinary physiology professor and associate dean, Meyers said he’ll focus on economic issues, providing more opportunities for the working poor while improving conditions for the middle class. Meyers also emphasizes conservation, the protection of natural resources and the importance of Idaho’s public lands. He promises not to “waste time and taxpayers’ money on inconsequential issues or issues already decided by the Supreme Court.”
Nuxoll, meanwhile, faces a primary challenge from Carl G. Crabtree. As for representative races, incumbent Shannon McMillan, R-Silverton, will run against Priscilla Giddings for the Republican nomination. In the race for seat B, Kris Steneck challenges incumbent Rep. Paul Shepherd, R-Riggins.
In the Democratic primary for the Idaho House, Jessica Chilcott is the only District 7 candidate, running for representative seat A.
Legislative District 1 and Bonner County races are also heating up for an eventful primary. In local elections, Bonner County Sheriff incumbent Daryl Wheeler will run against challenger Terry Ford, a retired state trooper, for the Republican nomination. The Bonner County Board of Commissioners races see incumbent Todd Sudick matched against Jeff Connolly in District 2 and Dan McDonald and Lewis Rich vying for the District 3 seat vacated by Cary Kelly. Incumbent Louis Marshall runs unopposed as Bonner County prosecutor.
Ken Meyers.
In state races, longtime Senate incumbent Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, runs against Glenn Rohrer, a candidate emphasizing conservative positions. No primary election challengers have emerged for representatives Heather Scott and Sage Dixon, making them the presumptive nominees for the general election.
Things are a bit more complicated on the Democratic primary election, with some candidates having withdrawn from the race. But as it stands, Kate McAlister runs unopposed to challenge Heather Scott for a representative seat in the general election.
Steve Tanner is the only candidate seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Keough, and Bob Vickaryous has filed in the representative race against Dixon. Both perennial Democratic primary candidates, Tanner and Vickaryous have presented themselves as conservatives in past elections and have not been endorsed by local party leaders. According to Chilcott, the party is fielding Stephen Howlett to challenge Vickaryous as a write-in. A to-be-determined candidate will likely do the same against Tanner.
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