Broadsword clears way to run unopposed

COEUR d'ALENE - The results are in. District 2 Sen. Joyce Broadsword was re-elected Tuesday. The Sagle Republican won the three-way primary race with 48 percent of the vote, all but ensuring the incumbent will serve a fourth term. Broadsword, 51, will run unopposed in the November election.

COEUR d'ALENE - The results are in.

District 2 Sen. Joyce Broadsword was re-elected Tuesday.

The Sagle Republican won the three-way primary race with 48 percent of the vote, all but ensuring the incumbent will serve a fourth term.

Broadsword, 51, will run unopposed in the November election.

"I appreciate the trust the citizens of District 2 have placed in me," she said Wednesday. "I look forward to serving them for another two years."

Tuesday's results for the District 2 seat were tallied past deadline. Broadsword learned of her victory around midnight.

"I appreciate the trust they have in me," she said. "We'll continue to earn it. It was weird year. There was definitely an anti-incumbent mood out there and I was honored to be able to withstand it."

Broadsword received 1,692 votes from precincts in Kootenai, Bonner, Benewah and Shoshone counties.

She outpaced second-place finisher and first-time candidate Dennis Engelhardt, 58, also of Sagle, who received 1,240 votes - 35 percent of the total.

James Stivers, a Desmet resident, was third with 553 votes, 17 percent.

"One thing I took away from it is that I'm not a lone ranger who is the only one concerned about the direction of our nation," Engelhardt said. "I'm very grateful for the people who gave me the trust and support with their vote."