Ambitious Semanko Loses In Eagle

Despite a stern anti-incumbent mood nationally, two West Ada County mayors easily survived rigorous attempts to paint them as spendthrifts in troubled times. Two-term Mayor Tammy de Weerd in Meridian parried attacks from former GOP Sen. Gerry Sweet that she was more interested in building a Taj MaCityHall than boosting the local economy. Eagle Mayor Jim Reynolds, challenged by a sophisticated opponent in lobbyist and City Councilman Norm Semanko, faced allegations of misspending $990 from the coffee fund. At 72, Reynolds appeared avuncular and kind, in contrast to the raw ambition of Semanko, 44-year-old Idaho Republican Party chair and a losing candidate for Congress in 2006/ Dan Popkey , Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Shouldn’t the head of the Idaho Republican Party be able to win a mayor’s race in Eagle?