Bob Nonini Wins Again
11/8/2006
District 5
COEUR d'ALENE -- Bob Nonini, Frank Henderson, and Jim Hammond campaigned together and celebrated their apparent landslide victories together.
The trio of Republicans promised to advance the interests of North Idaho during the 2007 legislative session.
"When we were going to door to door, people thought we were part of a church group," Henderson said Tuesday night. "We're a great team. We're going to have the No. 1 delegation in the state."
With 64 percent of the ballots counted, Henderson had 5,872 votes (65 percent) compared to 3,110 (35 percent) from his Democratic challenger, Lyndon Harriman, in the District 5 Representative Position B race.
"There's a lot left to do," said Henderson, who will serve his second term. "I am honored the voters had confidence in me again."
Nonini was well on his way to earning his second term as a District 5 Representative Position A race. Nonini had 5,760 votes (64 percent) compared to the 3,275 (36 percent) for his Democratic opponent, David Larsen.
"I am very happy," Nonini said. "People have told me that getting elected to a second term is the toughest election. I worked extremely hard and I am excited to get back to work."
Hammond successfully jumped from the Post Falls city administrator job to the District 5 Senate seat. Hammond seemed to be en route to a big victory over Democrat Chuck Thomas. Hammond had 6,003 votes (67 percent) compared to Thomas' 2,979 votes (33 percent).
"I've watched the Legislature for 20 years and now I am just thrilled to be able to actually serve," Hammond said.
Hammond, Nonini, and Henderson promised to work on lowering property taxes and removing the sales tax on groceries.
"I am excited about getting the sales tax off of food because the governor seems committed to that," Henderson said. "It needs to be done."
Nonini and Henderson said having another friendly face in the Senate will allow them to pass more laws because they'll be to gauge the temperature of the Senate and tailor bills that will pass both houses.
Other local incumbents have easier time holding on to their seats
District 4
COEUR d'ALENE -- With 56 of 75 Kootenai County precincts reporting this morning, one District 4 race was too close to call, while voters have seemingly decided to send two legislators back to Boise for another term.
Sen. John Goedde was leading challenger Steven Foxx by one vote at 12:40 a.m. today.
In District 4, Democratic Rep. George Sayler had the largest margin of victory with 58 percent of the votes over challenger Sharon Culbreth's 42 percent.
Republican Rep. Marge Chadderdon had a slight lead of 5,666 votes to 5,094 votes over Bonnie Douglas, and Goedde was leading Foxx by a 5,151 to 5,150 vote.
Sayler was leading Culbreth 6,023 votes to 4,459 votes with 75 percent of precincts reporting.
Sayler attributed his win to working in the community for a long time and being a "moderate" Democrat in a traditionally red county.
"I think (moderation) is important to the Democrats getting back to being a viable party and we're working on that," Sayler said. He added that eliminating or decreasing the sales tax on groceries, education and child care legislation will be priorities for his next term. Sayler was elected in 2002 and is the assistant minority leader in the House. "Also important is just being an advocate for the district as a whole -- not just one or two things."
Incumbent Chadderdon said if she was sent back to serve in the Legislature, community colleges would top her list of priorities.
"When we look, half of the population of Idaho lives in Ada and Canyon counties and we need to provide the availability of education that community colleges provide," Chadderdon said. "It's the fastest way to improve the livelihood of many, many people."
Douglas served in the House from 2002 to 2004, until Coeur d'Alene City Attorney Mike Gridley beat Douglas in the Democratic primary. Chadderdon then beat Gridley in the general election to serve the last two years.
"I'm proud of the Democrats. They really pulled together to get out and vote," Douglas said. "I think we had a good slate of candidates up and down the ticket."
Goedde, who is the chairman of the Senate Education Committee and co-chairs the legislative interim committee to study community colleges, also pointed to education as being at the top of his list. Goedde is seeking his fourth term.
"First, it's to see the community college issue through," Goedde said Tuesday night with a lead of 178 votes and about 50 percent of precincts reporting. "Certainly, if I survive tonight, I'll have the opportunity to lead the direction of that discussion."
Foxx, a case manager who specializes in psychosocial rehabilitation for Powder Basin Associates, lost to Woody McEvers in a 2005 City Council race.
Foxx declined to comment |
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