Luke Malek, shown here giving thumbs up to passing motorists Tuesday morning in Coeur d'Alene, is the only one of the mainstream Republicans who survived the Liberty Caucus/Tea Party onslaught among legislative candidates on Election Day. State Sen. Bob Nonini easily won re-election in a hard-fought battle with Pat Whalen, and City Hall critic Mary Souza pulled the upset of the night by defeating veteran state Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d'Alene. (Photo: Duane Rasmussen)

Two of the three seats on the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners will be in new hands next year after one incumbent was defeated in Tuesday’s primary election and another chose not to run again. Commissioner Todd Tondee was seeking a fourth term on the board but was soundly defeated in the Republican primary by Marc Eberlein, who took 52 percent of the vote in a three-way race. Tondee received just 33 percent of the vote, while Tim Herzog took 15 percent. Eberlein will face Democratic nominee Bruce Noble in November’s election. Noble won Tuesday’s primary with 78 percent of the vote, with Tamra Dale II claiming 22 percent/Scott Maben, SR. More here.

Question: What do you make of the stunning victory by the Liberty Caucus/Tea Party wing of the local GOP last night?

---

---