Meet the candidates

Voters have some homework to do to make up their minds among this year’s crowded field of candidates hoping to represent North Idaho in Congress.

Eight candidates – six Republicans and two Democrats – will appear on the ballot in the May 23 primary. The two winners will advance to the November general election, when they’ll face an independent and two minor party candidates.

The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Butch Otter, is not seeking re-election. Instead, he’s one of four Republicans running for governor.

Among the primary election contenders to replace Otter in Washington, D.C., are a lawyer, a county commissioner, a retired nurse practitioner, a hardware store owner, the state controller, the director of a statewide water-users group, a former semiconductor executive and the owner of a legal stationery store – all with varying degrees of political experience.

Brief biographical sketches of the Republicans and Democrats on the ballot this month can be found on Page B6.