One challenger in a Kootenai County commission race was holding a solid lead Tuesday over a first-term incumbent, but the other contested Republican primary was too close to call. The races are winner-take-all because no Democrats entered the races. Dan Green, chairman of the county’s planning and zoning commission and a retired lumber industry executive, had 56 percent of the vote to Commissioner Rich Piazza’s 30 percent with 43 of 71 precincts reporting. The third candidate, businessman Kevin Ratigan, had 14 percent. Piazza was running in his first race for re-election after winning a four-year term in 2006. The winner will serve a two-year term/Alison Boggs, SR. More here.

Question: Green (final vote here) and Nelson (final vote here) both won their three-way races Tuesday, ousting the two Republican incumbents. Why did the voters turn on the incumbents?