"That's one of the problems, I think, that people perceive that this un-elected board - three of the five positions are un-elected; they're appointed positions - people perceive that there is a certain political bias on that board. We'll know three weeks from today whether or not people agree with the direction the board is going or not. But I don't like the partisan politics. I will not go on the board, if I'm elected, and be listening to one particular political party and trying to promote their agenda" -- Zone 5 candidate Tom Hearn (from Coeur d'Alene Press story here)

Question: Are people more aware this election cycle of the influence of the Reagan Republicans and local Tea Party in nonpartisan Coeur d'Alene area races?