Shoshone Races Close; Benewah’s Not As Tight

Shoshone County’s primary races for sheriff and county commissioner had candidates on the edge of their seats.

There was less excitement in Benewah County, where voters went for familiar faces.

The Shoshone County sheriff’s race was too close to call late Tuesday, with only a handful of votes separating Sheriff Dan Schierman and challenger Larry Irvine.

With nine out of 19 precincts reporting, Irvine’s 48 percent trailed Schierman’s 52 percent.

Whichever Democrat wins will face Independent Tim Castle in November’s general election.

Also too close to call was Shoshone County’s race for District 1 county commissioner. Former Commissioner Jim Vergobbi’s 45 percent led incumbent Gary Waters, owner of a trash-hauling firm, who had 40 percent of the vote. The third Democratic contender, restaurant owner Jack DeFeo, trailed far behind.

Benewah County voters went for known quantities, voting for longtime, well-known locals.

With seven of 11 precincts reporting, incumbent Rodney Thormahlen, sheriff since 1988, appeared to be beating fellow Democrat and former deputy Robert Loe. On the Republican side, longtime game warden Joe Blackburn was defeating diesel mechanic and businessman Mike Thatcher by a 3-1 ratio.

The winners will face each other and former military police officer Edgar Ashton, an Independent, in November.

The race for Benewah County commissioner - retiring George Mills leaves the first open seat in 21 years - was almost as crowded.

Republican farmer Jack E. Denny, well known in local politics, appeared to be winning Tuesday, beating out former pastor Marlow Thompson, who runs a Christian retreat center near Tensed.

On the Democratic side, Plummer logging road contractor Dave Johnson had a 2-1 lead over former actress Christina Crawford, the adopted daughter of actress Joan Crawford.

, DataTimes