Elections sees changes in local, state leadership

BONNER COUNTY — The race is over, for now, for Bonner County’s energetic election season with a majority of the contested races seeing a change in leadership by the time the last ballots were counted.

The race with the highest number of hopefuls, the District 3 Board of County Commissioners seat, saw Luke Omodt come out ahead with 3,873, or, 34% of the vote — just over 800 votes more than runner-up Ron Korn with 3,069 votes. Other competitors for District 3 were Dave Bowman with 2,236 votes, Rich Harter with 1,594 votes, and Brian Riley with 470 votes.

Omodt ran on a platform of law and order, along with a specific focus on responsible growth, civil, transparency, and safe roads.

He wants to represent both old-timers, and newcomers in the county. After election results were finalized, Omodt published on his social media that “it’s time to sit at the table and work.”

One thing he intends to do once he takes office is to “focus on the comp plan being done competently,” and said he intends on attending future planning commission meetings.

Another highly contested race was the District 2 commission seat, with Asia Williams garnering 5,520 votes. Competitors included incumbent Jeff Connolly with 4,614 votes, and Randi Flaherty with 1,261 votes.

Williams ran on a platform of reducing commissioner litigation, medical freedom, and improving relationships with other county agencies such as law enforcement and emergency medical services.

Williams is very politically active, demonstrated by her attending and speaking at many commission meetings and local workshops. She frequently speaks on two subjects: the spending of American Rescue Plan Act money, and active litigation involving commissioners.

After the election, Williams posted on her social media that she will be using the summer to focus on the county, and expressed gratitude for those who supported her campaign.

The swearing in for the newly elected commissioners will be Jan. 9, 2023.

The other highly contested election for assessor went to Grant Dorman, who nearly doubled the vote totals of others in the running, including incumbent Donna Gow.

That election closed with Dorman gaining 5,720 votes, Gow with 3,007, and Jessi Webster with 2,627 votes.

Running on a platform of privacy, property, and respect, Dorman is bringing his prior experience as a land surveyor and businessman into office. An important item he intends to focus on is the county’s valuation process.

“How valuations affect property taxes is a big deal,” Dorman said on election night. “Property taxes are a big challenge to property ownership. It’s a responsibility that has to be stewarded by public officials.”

Dorman said he is looking forward to getting to know the staff within the office.

Regional races electing representatives to state government also returned impressive results.

Scott Herndon won the District 1 State Senate seat with 5,900 votes, or 55% of total ballots cast. Herndon came in 1,200 votes ahead of incumbent Jim Woodward with 4,706 votes.

Herndon ran on a platform of limited government, state sovereignty, and individual liberties. After the election, he released a statement thanking God, and crediting Woodward for his years of service.

“All the glory belongs to God. I am humbled to have been chosen by the people of North Idaho to represent them. … service. To those who voted for me, I am honored to have earned your vote. To those who didn’t, I hope you will give me the opportunity to listen to your concerns and represent you in Boise,” Herndon said.

In a more populated race, Mark Sauter came ahead with 40% of the vote at 3,881 votes and tallying 1,000 votes ahead of runner-up Spencer Hutchings with 2,865 votes for District 1A state representative seat. Others in the running were Travis Thompson with 1,591 votes, Cynthia P. Weiss with 783 votes, and Adam Rorick with 547 votes.

Sauter ran on a platform of traditional and conservative values. Having already served the community as a firefighter, Sauter intends to bring his experience as a leader in public service to state government.

“The last decade has brought immense growth, changes in political attitudes, and stressful impacts to our communities,” Sauter published on his website. “We need to focus on what’s good for our communities and seek conservative solutions.”

Sauter intends to focus on improvements to infrastructure and education once in office.

District 1 elects two representatives to the state house. Bonner County elected Sage Dixon to sit in Seat B for another term. Dixon gained 52% of the vote at 5,472 votes leading runner-up Todd Engel by 500 votes with 4,859 votes.

Building on a background of business ownership, Dixon will continue focusing furthering conservative policy with a focus on a pro-life, pro 2nd Amendment repetoire.