State Representative, Pos. B
Election Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Sims (R) | 10,373 | 56.76% |
| Anne Nesse (D) | 7,903 | 43.24% |
* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.
About the Race
Idaho state Rep. Kathy Sims, a local car dealer and former county GOP chair, was a high-profile advocate of this year’s failed Coeur d’Alene City Council recall attempt and has been a leading critic of the state’s urban renewal laws and of the local redevelopment agency.
As she seeks a second term in the House this year, she’s being challenged by Anne Nesse, a Democrat and first-time candidate who’s a retired teacher and nurse, and who promises a more “positive” approach.
Idaho legislators are paid $16,116 per year.
The Candidates
Kathleen Sims
- Party:
- Republican
- City:
- Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- Occupation:
- Owns car dealership
Owner of the Coeur d’Alene Honda dealership and a former county Republican Party chair, Sims is seeking a fourth term in the House. She earlier served a term in the Senate after being appointed, but lost to then-Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene, when redistricting pushed the two Republicans into the same district as she sought re-election. A critic of urban renewal laws and of the local redevelopment agency, she is vice chair of the House Local Government Committee. Sims also serves on the Judiciary and State Affairs committees. She is a Rotarian and a board member of the Idaho Auto Dealers. A Spokane native, Sims graduated from North Idaho Junior College in accounting. She served on the Idaho Human Rights Commission; and has two daughters and four grandchildren.
Anne Nesse
- Party:
- Democrat
- City:
- Coeur d’Alene
- Occupation:
- Former teacher
Former teacher and nurse and small-business operator, ran unsuccessfully against Sims two years ago, and since then has become an advocate for raising Idaho’s minimum wage, pushing for a voter initiative and forming the group RaiseIdaho.org. She’s continuing that push, looking at possible city initiatives. Though the measure didn’t receive enough signatures to make this year’s ballot, Nesse said her group learned that there’s widespread support in Idaho for the idea.