Candidate Denies Quitting Coroner Race

The Democratic candidate for Ada County coroner will remain on the ballot after she told a party official she planned to drop out of the race.

Laura Rogan-Wilson, 39, also submitted a signed letter last Thursday to The Idaho Statesman saying she quit the race for personal reasons.

“It is with sincere regret that I tender my resignation as the Democratic Nominee for Ada County Coroner,” the letter said.

The letter was addressed to Secretary of State Pete Cenarrusa, but a secretary in his office said the letter never arrived.

Rogan-Wilson also told Ada County Democratic Chairwoman Molly Lazechko on Thursday that she planned to step down. On Monday, Rogan-Wilson denied having said she would resign and also denied faxing her withdrawal letter to The Idaho Statesman.

Lazechko said Rogan-Wilson’s name is on the ballot to challenge Republican incumbent Erwin Sonnenberg in the Nov. 3 election.

Rogan-Wilson’s actions came after The Idaho Statesman could find no records to support her claim that she has a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, is a doctoral candidate at the University of Washington or is licensed to work as a registered nurse in Idaho.

She said with more time she could prove her documents were correct.