Candidates crowd May ballot

COEUR d'ALENE — Election season cranked back up on Friday, which was the deadline for candidates to file to be on the May 17 primary ballot.

Several races became officially contested for the first time, and in some cases there will even be contested Democrat races in the primary in the Republican-dominated state.

"It's been a while since the Democrat races have been contested," said Paula Neils, chairwoman of the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee. "Some of the folks who stepped up are not necessarily people we know very well, but that's OK. We're glad there are people who are out there doing that because it's helpful to us."

Neils said even with the party's candidate recruitment efforts, it can be difficult to have people step forward due to the commitments.

"People can't take running for office lightly, so we're pretty happy with the people we've got running this year," Neils said. "We've had people say that they just can't sit on the sidelines any longer. It's an issue of morality to them."

The deadline to file as a write-in candidate is April 19. The last day to withdraw as a candidate is March 25.

Absentee ballots will be mailed out starting on April 1.

The deadline to change party affiliation for the May election was on Friday.

Voter registration closes April 22. Anyone registering after April 22 who wants to vote must register and vote at the same time.

Here's a look at the races for the May 17 primary:

Republican Chris Fillios will challenge David Stewart for the District 2 commissioner seat.

In the race for the District 3 commission seat, Republicans Duane Rasmussen, Bob Bingham, Leslie Duncan and Fred Meckel will vie for the position currently held by Dan Green. Green won't seek re-election.

For sheriff, incumbent Republican Ben Wolfinger will be challenged by John Green. The winner will face Democrat Tina Kunishige in November's general election.

Republican Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh drew no challengers.

In District 2, Republican Steve Vick didn't draw a challenger for the Senate seat.

Republican Vito Barbieri, incumbent of the House Position A seat, will be challenged by Fritz Wiedenhoff. The winner will face Democrat Kathy Kahn in the general election.

House Position B seat incumbent and Republican Eric Redman will be challenged by Alan Littlejohn. On the Democrat side, Cooper Coyle will oppose Richard Kohles.

In District 3, the only challenged race will be for the House Position B seat as incumbent Republican Don Cheatham will be challenged by Peter Riggs.

House Position A holder and Republican Ron Mendive didn't draw a challenger.

Republican Bob Nonini didn't draw a challenger for his Senate seat.

In District 4, incumbent Sen. Mary Souza didn't draw a Republican challenger. She will be opposed by Democrat Kristi Milan in November.

Republican Luke Malek will be challenged by Art Macomber for the House Position A seat. On the Democrat side, Patrick Mitchell will oppose Turns To The East.

Republican Kathleen Sims will be challenged by Paul Amador for the House Position B seat. The winner will face Democrat Tom Hearn in November.

In the District 1 House race, Republican incumbent Raul Labrador will be challenged by Isaac Haugen and Gordon Counsil in the primary. The winner will face the Democratic winner between Shizandra Fox, Staniela Nikolova and James Piotrowski in November.

In the Senate race, Republican incumbent Mike Crapo didn't draw a challenger from his party. He will face the winner of the Constitution Party race between Pro-Life and Ray Writz and Democrat Jerry Sturgill in November.