Mattare announces campaign for county commissioner

Bruce Mattare, former campaign manager for Sheriff Bob Norris, has announced his run for Kootenai County commissioner in 2022. 

Campaigning for the District 2 seat, currently held by Chris Fillios, Mattare's goals if elected are:

• Tackling irresponsible growth 

• Protecting citizens from government and private sector overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine mandates

• Doing what's best for the county and avoiding political theater 

• Keeping government small while meeting the growing population demands 

Mattare said the Norris campaign initially sparked his interest in running for office after hearing concerns from Kootenai County residents. 

Now acting as an alternate for the Optional Forms of Government study commission, Mattare said "a lot more issues have come to light" concerning county operations. 

"I believe that elected officials should make all decisions through the lens of how it affects the citizens they serve," Mattare said. 

Mattare said examples of issues being "ignored" by "tone deaf" politicians are employee pay matrices, antiquated software systems and inefficient service feedback loops. Though some are budgetary issues, Mattare said others result from "personalities that are playing politics over solving our county problems."

"These issues should have been resolved some time ago but were not," Mattare said. 

Originally a Washington, D.C., native, Mattare and his family moved to Coeur d'Alene in 2013 in search of an "environment and culture similar to my childhood." 

While Mattare believes "not all growth is bad," irresponsible growth — like what he sees in Kootenai County, "can destroy the charm of any community." 

"I think we need to work with other officials and discuss what we want this community to be in five or 10 years," Mattare said. "That's a question that doesn't seem to get asked." 

Mattare said his decision to campaign relates to a perception from his career in the Army National Guard — that people who can serve their community through government should.

"Truth has no agenda, and that is the way I have always operated," Mattare said. "The first step I would make sure of is that throughout the decision-making process, I was looking for what is best for the citizens." 

Info: www.BruceForCommissioner.com