Primary will be last vote for some state legislative seats
North Idaho voters will help shape their representation in the Legislature next week – and in some cases, the decision will be final.
Tuesday’s primary election will select party nominees for every seat in the Legislature for an upcoming two-year term. But in Kootenai County’s District 3, there’s even more at stake – the primary vote will be final. Only Republicans are running for the district’s two House seats and one Senate seat. At stake:
• One-term incumbent Sen. Kent Bailey’s hold on his Senate seat, against eight-term former Sen. Clyde Boatright and Hayden Lake City Council President Mike Jorgensen.
• Rep. Jim Clark’s grip on the House seat he’s held without challenge since 1996, but now must defend against Hayden City Councilor Jeri DeLange.
• Longtime Rep. Wayne Meyer’s chairmanship of the Ways and Means committee and seat on the influential joint budget panel against a challenge from former Constitution Party candidate Phil Hart.
There’s plenty more, from political comeback bids to intraparty face-offs. Here’s a glance at the candidates:
District 3 Senate
Kent Bailey, 55, R
Background: Security company owner. Ran in six-way race for Hayden City Council in 1999, came in fifth; ran for state Senate in 2002, defeated incumbent Sen. Clyde Boatright.
Why running: Enjoys representing North Idaho, wants to continue advocating veterans’ and small business issues. Wants to rein in government regulation of business. “I have a thing going for me called common sense.”
Clyde Boatright, 73, R
Background: Retired businessman, served four two-year terms in state Senate, before losing to Bailey in 2002, president of Area Agency on Aging board for North Idaho.
Why running: Wants to rein in field burning, remove sales tax from groceries and re-examine sales tax exemptions. Favors state aid to help build and repair school facilities. “I wasn’t through in the Legislature. I want to go back because there are some issues I haven’t settled yet.”
Mike Jorgensen, 55, R
Background: Business consultant, twice elected to Hayden Lake City Council, after first being appointed
Why running: Says his experience and training qualifies him to tackle complex issues, such as lowering taxes. Favors constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. “I’m the only candidate in this race who serves in local government.”
District 3 House Seat A
Jim Clark, 60, R
Background: Retired military, consultant, teacher, ran for Legislature unsuccessfully in 1994, elected in 1996, unopposed for re-election in 1998, 2000, 2002. Wrote legislation creating a state budget stabilization fund.
Why running: Enjoys serving in the Legislature, wants to continue his efforts to hold the line on taxes. “I personally think that I have another good 10 years of busy life.”
Jeri DeLange, 50, R
Background: Purchasing agent and administrator, Hecla Mining Co., elected to Hayden City Council, 2002.
Why running: Thinks it’s time for a change. Favors limited field burning, open caucuses and increased teacher salaries to retain good educators. “I can be a good representative, and I can do it with a professional and no-nonsense attitude.”
District 3 House Seat B
Phil Hart, 48, R
Background: Structural engineer, ran for Legislature on the Constitution Party ticket in 2002.
Why running: Thinks he’ll better represent the district, opposes field burning. Staunch supporter of charter and virtual schools. Wants to raise sales tax and lower income taxes. “Field burning goes beyond the level of nuisance. … We should phase it out.”
Wayne Meyer, 54, R
Background: Farmer and five-term incumbent lawmaker.
Why running: One of the few lawmakers to both serve as chairman of a committee – House Ways and Means – and serve on the influential joint budget committee, Meyer said he’s seeking re-election because he still feels he can accomplish things for his district. His seniority helps, too, he said.
District 4 House Seat A
Marge Chadderdon, 66, R
Background: Longtime Republican Party activist and retired business owner
Why running: Chadderdon believes she has wider appeal than her opponent and will give the Republican Party an edge in the November election. Wants to ensure the state remains friendly to business. “We’re going to take this seat back … I have much stronger support from within the party.”
Jim Hollingsworth, 63, R
Background: Self-employed contractor with work experience in mining, education and school bus driving.
Why running: Education and welfare reform are top priorities for his second bid for office. Hollingsworth considers himself more conservative than his opponent. “I believe the government has grown too large.”
Bonnie Douglas, 55, D
Background: Incumbent. Runs Avon business out of her home. Previous experience in a wide range of banking and managerial positions.
Why running: Douglas is a self-described “angry soccer mom” who surprised many by winning the race in 2002. Committee memberships include business and transportation and defense. Advocate for people with disabilities, the mentally ill and children.
Mike Gridley, 48, D
Background: Former trial lawyer, has served as Coeur d’Alene’s city attorney for 2½ years.
Why running: Gridley believes he can be a stronger voice for the district. His goals include making Idaho’s schools the best in the nation and providing affordable health insurance for small businesses. Gridley has raised five times more campaign funds than his opponent.
District 5 Seat A
Bob Nonini, 49, R
Background: Post Falls resident and current Kootenai County Republican Central Committee chairman who owns a local insurance and investment business.
Why running: To replace retiring Rep. Hilde Kellogg, R-Post Falls. Advocates efficiency and accountability along with fewer taxes. Opposes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund expansion for the cleanup of the Coeur d’Alene Basin and is pro-business. Opposes abortion and gay marriage.
Ron Vieselmeyer, 63, R
Background: Coeur d’Alene marriage counselor and ordained minister. Served in the Idaho House from 1988 to 1990.
Why running: Big issues are lowering taxes and creating jobs. Says he has similar stances as Nonini on fiscal issues but claims he is more socially conservative and would support amending the state constitution to ban gay marriage.
Winner will face Democrat challenger David Larsen and Constitution Party candidate Rose Johnson in the November general election.
District 5 Seat B
Charles Eberle, 62, R
Background: Former Post Falls School Board member, retired small-business owner, incumbent.
Why running: A conservative, with constitutional roots, who says one of his top priorities is passing a bill, which died in the 2004 session, that would force counties to take only the cash needed for unpaid taxes when counties auction a person’s property. Opposes tax increases.
Frank Henderson, 81, R
Background: Former Kootenai County commissioner and Post Falls mayor.
Why running: Says he has the time and energy to return to politics and wants to put his local government experience to good use. Wants to help ease the burden on property owners by passing a bill to amend the half-cent local option sales tax to include the payment of school bonds.
Winner will face Democrat Lyndon Harriman in the November general election.
District 6 Senate
Gary Schroeder, 59, R
Background: Business owner, an Idaho senator for 12 years and chairman of the Senate Education Committee for nine years. He is also on the Senate Resources and Environment Committee and the Agricultural Affairs Committee.
Why running: Wants to hold the line against cuts in education spending, protect senior citizen rights and keep sustainable natural resources. “I sincerely believe that the secret to the success of America is that we have a public education system.”
Gregg Vance, 42, R
Background: Farmer, property owner and manager. This is his first time running for office.
Why running: To represent farmers, families and conservative Republicans in Latah County. He supports charter schools and alternative forms of educating children, in addition to public education. “We are a great nation. It’s not because of public education, it’s because we have an educated public.”
No Democrats are running for this position.