For some, primary is final

COEUR d’ALENE — If you like the way Kootenai County is governed, you’re in luck.

On Tuesday, you can vote to keep it just the way it is.

And if you don’t like it? Well, you’re lucky there, too. On Tuesday you have the power to change it.

The 2010 primary election features two hard-fought faces for control of the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners. Two of the three seats are open; the other, held by Todd Tondee, is not up for election this cycle. Both of Tuesday’s winners will automatically become county commissioners because they face no opponents in the Nov. 2 general election.

Commissioner Rick Currie has served since 2004. Chris Fillios and Jai Nelson hope to unseat him.

Commissioner Rich Piazza has served since 2006. His challengers are Dan Green and Kevin Ratigan.

Preliminary battles that will be final aren’t restricted to the county. Again because there are no Democratic challengers this fall, four local Republican hopefuls will win seats in the Idaho Legislature on Tuesday.

• Incumbent Joyce Broadsword faces Dennis Englelhardt and James Stivers for the District 2 Senate seat.

• Incumbent Mike Jorgenson is challenged by Steve Vick for the District 3 Senate seat.

• District 3 House Seat A, formerly warmed by longtime Rep. Jim Clark, will have a new occupant. The four candidates facing off for that position are Vito Barbieri, Jeri DeLange, Fred Meckel and Duane Rasmussen.

• And District 5 incumbent Sen. Jim Hammond has two challengers, John Green and Jack Schroeder.

One of the most bitterly contested races being tracked locally is the District 1 congressional primary. Vaughn Ward and Raul Labrador, joined by Harley Brown, are battling for the right to face Rep. Walt Minnick in November.

Several other races appear on the primary ballot. To review those, go to kcgov.us/elections/

Remember, for the primary election every voter receives two ballots, one Democrat and one Republican. You may fill out either ballot but not mix your votes.