Claims of election-related intimidation and harassment in North Idaho’s Bonner and Boundary counties haven’t been confirmed by authorities, but for some local politicians, both Republican and Democrat, the claims are believable and reflective of hardened political views, writes S-R reporter Eli Francovich in today’s Spokesman-Review. “Sadly, it would not surprise me,” Republican Rep. Shawn Keough said. “I would say that past experience over the last two primary seasons … teach me that there is something going on.”

Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad agrees with Keough and believes it’s a symptom of a larger issue. “It’s concerning and I think it just kind of highlights the polarity that we see in politics everywhere, particularly in the national election,” Rognstad said, adding that polarity is spilling over into local elections. In his own mayoral campaign a year ago, Rognstad was targeted by a series of sexist, homophobic and racist robocalls.

Early in October, the Idaho Democratic Party pulled a field organizer out of Bonner and Boundary counties after the man reported being harassed and stalked by supporters of Republican Rep. Heather Scott. Scott called the accusations politically motivated “mudslinging.” You can read our full story here at spokesman.com.