Henderson, Mendive, Malek win nominations

Frank Henderson and Ron Mendive earned District 3 Republican nominations for the state House during Tuesday night's primary, while Luke Malek won the GOP nod for the District 4A House seat.

Mendive nipped Jeff Tyler 1,667-1,658 for District 3A in a back-and-forth race. The seat has been held by Bob Nonini, who is seeking a Senate position.

Mendive, a committeeman for Precinct 65, has worked in North Idaho's mining, logging and construction industries. He has been self-employed for the last 25 years and is operating a land services and excavating business.

Tyler, a home builder and Republican activist, is a founder of the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans and the Panhandle Pachyderm Club.

Democrat David Larsen will be also seeking the seat during the Nov. 6 general election.

Henderson, the 89-year-old incumbent from Post Falls who is seeking a third term, defeated 73-year-old Post Falls resident and independent insurance agent Jack Schroeder 1,926-1,540 for District 3B.

Henderson, believed to be the eldest Idaho legislator to ever serve, formerly was mayor of Post Falls, a Kootenai County commissioner and publisher of the weekly Post Falls Tribune. He also worked in industrial marketing for 35 years.

Job creation will remain his top priority if re-elected, he said.

"I think the fact that I'm a known quantity helped," Henderson said early this morning. "I've been able to do some things with job creation and economic development. In fact, I have a meeting at 7 this morning with an industry."

Henderson is the current vice chairman of the House's Business Committee who also serves on the Transportation and State Affairs committees.

Schroeder ran unsuccessfully for Sen. Jim Hammond's seat two years ago. Democrat Ronald Johnson will also seek the seat in November.

Malek, a 30-year-old Kootenai County native and a deputy prosecutor with Kootenai County, defeated Jeff Ames for the pursuit of the District 4A seat held by Marge Chadderdon 1,959-1,032. Chadderdon did not seek re-election.

Malek was formerly executive director of the Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency and is a founder of Kootenai County Young Professionals.

"I have a lot of emotions," Malek said. "It's a mixture of gratitude and elation. I'm very humbled by the amount of support shown toward me."

Malek said he didn't believe he'd win by such a wide margin.

"I stand for individual rights, individual responsibility, smaller government and jobs," he said. "If you don't allow employers freedom for hiring more, we're not going to get the state and country back on track."

Ames operates Lake City Gymnastics in Coeur d'Alene and owns Gokisport.com that sells rhythmic gymnastic equipment.

Democrat Janet Callen and Ray Writz of the Constitution party will also seek the position in November.