Familiar names file for office

Many of the candidates running for legislative seats in North Idaho are recognizable, having tried their luck in the polls before.

Included in that list are several previously ousted lawmakers who want to retake their spots in the Idaho Legislature. Candidates had until 5 p.m. Friday to declare their campaigns.

Former Rep. Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum, is challenging Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, who booted him in the 2004 primary.

Former Sen. Kent Bailey, R-Hayden, is after Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake. Democrat Ian Stenseng also joined the District 3 race.

In Coeur d’Alene, former Democrat Rep. Bonnie Douglas is vying against Rep. Marge Chadderdon, a Republican.

There were a couple last-minute turns Friday, as the filing deadlines for candidates approached.

Coeur d’Alene Republican and real estate agent Sharon Culbreth, who has been pushing a property tax initiative, put in her bid against Rep. George Sayler, the only Democrat in the Legislature from Kootenai County.

Libertarian Ronald Perry, who ran for secretary of state in 2002, also entered the race.

Hayden City Councilwoman Jeri DeLange, a Republican, is once again challenging Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake, while Bill Kersting, the Kootenai County Democrat Central Committee chairman, also jumped in.

In the District 5 Senate race, former Republican Rep. Ron Vieselmeyer dropped out Friday afternoon.

Vieselmeyer intended to challenge Sen. Dick Compton, R-Coeur d’Alene. Compton has instead decided to retire and Post Falls City Administrator Jim Hammond, a Republican, is running.

Vieselmeyer said he agrees with Hammond on most issues and that he doesn’t see any need to run.

Democrat and political newcomer Chuck Thomas, a retired Coeur d’Alene firefighter, also is in the race and has already written a campaign song that he will take on the trail.

“But it seems to me the time has come that I’ve gotta take a stand and make a run for a Senate seat and go to work for the workin’ man – and the woman too,” Thomas sings in “The Idaho Way.”

Even though he has no plans to run, Democrat Jerry Lee, a Post Falls High School teacher, is still listed on the secretary of state’s Web site as a candidate challenging Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene.

Lee said the Democratic Party asked him to keep his name on the list as a place holder, in case they find another party faithful to fill the slot.

Independent Jeremy Boggess and Constitution Party candidate Ray Writz also are on the ballot.

Here are the candidates in the six northern legislative districts:

District 1

Senate: Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint; Jim Ramsey, D-Ponderay

House, Seat A: Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake; Steve Elgar, D-Sandpoint

House, Seat B: Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover; Bob Wynhausen, D-Sandpoint

District 2

Senate: Sen. Joyce Broadsword, R-Cocolalla; Steve Johnson, D-Sagle

House, Seat A: Rep. Mary Lou Shepherd, D-Wallace

House, Seat B: Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries; Rand Lewis, D-Worley

District 3

Senate: Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake; Kent Bailey, R-Hayden; Ian Stenseng, D-Hayden.

House, Seat A: Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake; Jeri DeLange, R-Hayden; Bill Kersting, D-Hayden

House, Seat B: Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol; Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum

District 4

Senate: Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene; Jerry W. Lee, D-Coeur d’Alene; Jeremy Boggess, Independent-Coeur d’Alene; Ray Writz, Constitution-Coeur d’Alene

House, Seat A: Rep. Marge Chadderdon, R-Coeur d’Alene; Bonnie Douglas, D-Coeur d’Alene

House Seat B: Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d’Alene; Sharon Culbreth, R-Coeur d’Alene; Ronald Perry, Libertarian-Coeur d’Alene

District 5

Senate: Jim Hammond, R-Post Falls; Chuck Thomas, D-Post Falls

House, Seat A: Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene; David Larsen, D-Coeur d’Alene

House, Seat B: Rep. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls; Lyndon Harriman, D-Post Falls

District 6

Senate: Sen. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow

House, Seat A: Rep. Tom Trail, R-Moscow

House, Seat B: Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow; L. Roger Falen, R-Genesee.