JEERS ... to Idaho Republican Party Chairman Norm Semanko. Segments of his party are invading the nonpartisan city elections. Why isn't he discouraging it? In Bonneville County, the Republican Party has endorsed Idaho Falls City Council candidate Alex Creek and given him $1,000. Twin Falls Republicans also toyed with the idea of endorsing candidates. Idaho keeps partisan politics out of its city elections deliberately. There is no Republican or Democratic way to fix a pothole or maintain a park. And do you really want the kind of partisanship that has polarized national and state politics to next roll over city councilors and mayors? What's next? Electing city councilors based on whether they support Idaho GOP platform positions against abortion and the Federal Reserve?/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Do you think this year's invasion of partisan politics into nonpartisan local races is an aberration? Or will it become routine in the year's ahead?