Election results bring changes to cities across the state, with some exceptions…
In yesterday’s city elections across the state, some longtime mayors were defeated – including Nancy Chaney of Moscow and Tom Dale of Nampa – while others, including Brian Blad of Pocatello and Garret Nancolas of Caldwell, were easily re-elected. Boise voters narrowly rejected two bond measures for parks and fire, exceeding 60 percent in favor but falling short of the two-thirds mark, while re-electing three incumbents to the City Council. Coeur d’Alene voters rejected a slate of hard-line conservatives, instead electing candidates for mayor and council who were backed by Balance North Idaho, a PAC credited with helping moderates retake the Coeur d’Alene School Board last May; local business owner Steve Widmyer easily beat longtime City Hall critic Mary Souza for mayor.
In Post Falls, in a race between two city councilors for mayor, Ron Jacobson defeated Kerri Thoreson 60-40; meanwhile, incumbent councilwoman Betty Ann Henderson, who is married to Rep. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, won re-election over two challengers.
The race for an open mayor’s seat in Idaho Falls was won by Rebecca Casper, the Post Register reports, who defeated three other candidates, including second-place finisher Sharon Parry, who will retain her seat on the City Council. Blackfoot is headed to a runoff Dec. 3 after Paul Loomis and Dan Cravens led a six-way race for mayor, but none had a majority.
The Lewiston Tribune reports that Lewiston Mayor Kevin Poole and Councilman Dennis Ohrtman were defeated, as four new council members were elected in a race with a 26.6 percent turnout. Among them: An 18-year-old LCSC student. Bill Lambert, a Safeway manager, defeated longtime Moscow Mayor Nancy Chaney.
The Twin Falls Times-News reports that Filer Mayor Robert Templeman was defeated by City Councilman Richard Dunn; Jerome Mayor John Shine was defeated by David Davis; and Burley Mayor Terry Greenman appeared headed toward a defeat by challenger Merlin Smedley.
In Pocatello, the Idaho State Journal reports, a rematch between Mayor Brian Blad and former Mayor Roger Chase had a lopsided result, with Blad winning 66.4 percent to Chase’s 27.7 percent, four years after Blad first defeated Chase in a close race. Other close races around the state included Dale’s loss to Henry in Nampa; final, unofficial results showed just 113 votes separating the two, leaving Henry with 44.89 percent to Dale’s 43.45 percent.