District 3 Race Tighter Than Expected Republican Goedde Beats Gleixner, While Gop’S Clark Was Unopposed

DISTRICT 3

JoAnn Harvey said before the election that she thought whichever way her race against Republican Kris Ellis went, it would be a landslide.

She could have been wrong.

By 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, with 27 percent of District 3’s votes counted, Ellis was beating Harvey.

“I’m not assuming anything,” Ellis said. “It looks favorable, but it’s not over ‘til it’s over.”

John Goedde, a Republican, easily beat his opponent, Constitution Party candidate Jim Gleixner, to win a seat in the state Senate.

“I’m pleased,” Goedde said late Tuesday. “I’m looking forward to going to Boise and trying to fill the big shoes that Gordon Crow left.”

And Jim Clark, also a Republican, was unopposed for his bid for the state house.

Julie Hardy, a 42-year-old Coeur d’Alene resident, said she voted both for Ellis and Gleixner. “They believe so many of the same things I do,” Hardy said. “The importance of family, the importance of low taxes, the importance of less government.”

Mike Clemons, a 38-year-old Hayden resident, said he voted for Ellis as well.

“She was the only one we actually knew anything about,” he said.

Many voters based their choices for Ellis and Goedde on the fact that they are Republicans.

Kelli Booterbaugh was one of those voters. She used to be a Democrat, but she says now the party doesn’t suit her.

“I don’t believe they believe what they say anymore,” said Booterbaugh, 35, a Hayden resident. “The Republicans are living in the real world.”

Goedde was considered a veritable lock for the District 3 Senate seat.

“I have a lot of respect for John Goedde,” said John Smith, 49, a Dalton Gardens resident. “He’s good for North Idaho. He’s fair. He’s enthusiastic about seeing this area grow, but grow keeping in mind what’s important to North Idaho.”