Whitman County

Thu., Oct. 29, 1998

By Andrea Vogt andreav@spokesman.com

In three of Whitman County’s four contested races, incumbents have run unopposed for multiple elections, until now.

Incumbent prosecutor James Kaufman is in a tough battle against Pullman attorney Denis Tracy, who is running as an independent. Tracy, 35, worked for Kaufman as a deputy prosecutor from 1991-1994.

Tracy’s campaign has focused on improving efficiency and the need for the prosecutor to be a non-partisan position. He has pledged to handle cases more quickly, limit plea bargains on methamphetamine cases and reduce the budget by eliminating one deputy prosecutor’s position and using interns from the nearby University of Idaho law school instead.

Kaufman says the use of interns would “weaken” the prosecutor’s office because students lack the necessary experience and would contribute to high turnover. Kaufman defends the number of lawyers in his office, noting the increase in juvenile crime and his leadership role on many state and local law associations.

In the District 3 county commissioner’s race, Colfax City Councilman Tom Kammerzell is challenging GOP incumbent Les Wigen, a La Crosse farmer.

Kammerzell, 39, is calling for an end to unfunded mandates and courthouse disharmony.

Wigen, 62 has campaigned on his efforts to raise awareness about the negative impact of dam breaching on the Snake River.

Court Clerk Shirley Bafus, of Colfax, is being challenged by Democrat Bob Cole, a Rosalia city councilman.

Democrat Delores M. (Dee) Luft is challenging Republican incumbent Treasurer Mary Crawford, 54.

Whitman County voters also face two special election initiatives: An $11.8 million bond to construct a new hospital on Bishop Boulevard in Pullman, and a proposal to permit liquor sales in small towns and unincorporated parts of the county.

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