Nelson won't seek another term

COEUR d'ALENE - Kootenai County Commissioner Jai Nelson said Thursday night she is withdrawing as a candidate for another term.

She promised to work hard through the end of her term in January, and has several projects she wants to finish.

"Being a commissioner has always, and only, been about my passion and love for our county and the citizens I serve," Nelson said. "I ran to make a difference, and I hope that my goal has been achieved."

She said it was not an easy decision to withdraw, but she must spend more time with family, especially her son.

Also, the Republican said the political climate influenced her decision.

"I'm saddened by the state of the political scene in our country and especially in our county," Nelson said. "The Republican Party is terribly fractured and I don't see a cohesive pathway in the near future."

Nelson said she has opposed property tax-based budget increases while she held office.

"In fact, for the first time in several years, the percentage of funding coming from property taxes actually decreased," she said. "Moreover, I've been fiscally responsible - in 2011, a $1.4 million savings to the county annually was achieved."

Prior to taking office, she said, the number of full-time employees at the county was 827. In 2014, the full-time staff is 776, she said.

"At the same time, a high priority is public safety and 14 new deputies have been funded over the past three years," she said.

Nelson said she hasn't ruled out seeking office again in the future.

With Nelson out of the race for District 2 commissioner, and Republican candidate Terry Lee Wall withdrawing last week, only Republican David Stewart remains in the race. No Democrats sought the seat.