Campaign filing off to slow start

Five signatures or $40 will get your name on the May ballot as a county candidate.

Starting today, candidates for county and state offices have two weeks to declare their candidacy. The deadline is March 17 at 5 p.m.

Kootenai County Elections Director Deedie Beard said so far not many people – mostly just the current office holders – have expressed interest in the six county positions on the ballot and the five district judgeships.

Several candidates have announced their desire to run for office but their bids don’t become official until they file the paperwork, which includes declaring a campaign treasurer and providing five signatures from qualified voters or paying the $40 filing fee.

“It’s been really quiet,” Beard said. “We’ll see what happens.”

All seats in the Idaho Legislature – 70 in the House and 35 in the Senate – also are on the ballot. There are seven statewide offices up for election, including governor.

As for the state courts, there’s an election for a Supreme Court justice and Court of Appeals judge.

State candidates must file with the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office.

In Kootenai County, Commission Chairman Gus Johnson is up for re-election, as is Commissioner Katie Brodie.

So far Republican Rich Piazza is the only candidate to challenge Brodie in the May Republican primary. Neither Brodie nor Johnson has announced a re-election bid.

County Treasurer Tom Malzahn, Assessor Mike McDowell and Clerk Dan English have announced their intent to run again.

Coroner Robert West also is up for re-election but hasn’t yet announced.

There are five judge positions on ballot for the 1st District Court.

In Kootenai County, Judges Charles Hosack, John Luster and John Mitchell are up for re-election. Judge Fred Gibler, who represents Shoshone County, is on the ballot, as is Judge Steve Verby, who covers Bonner and Boundary counties.