Local legislative races feature several nail-biters

Legislative races across Kootenai County were neck and neck as primary election votes rolled in late Tuesday night and into the wee hours of the morning.

Newcomer Jordan Redman and incumbent Rep. Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d'Alene held the biggest leads on their opponents while other races were close at 12:50 a.m.

DISTRICT 3

Redman, son of former Republican Idaho State Rep. Eric Redman, is following in his father's footsteps. He secured a landslide win for the Seat B nomination with more than 83% of the vote, defeating rival Rick Small.

“I want to thank the constituents of District 3 for entrusting me with the great honor of representing you," Redman told The Press. "I look forward to serving you and our great state of Idaho."

Redman has no Democratic opponent in the general election on Nov. 8.

DISTRICT 4

Ben Toews was defeating Tara Malek for a seat in the state Senate by a margin of about 19%. By 12:50 a.m., Toews had raked in 3,142 votes while Malek trailed with 2,318. No Democratic candidate is on the ballot to run against the Republican winner in November.

In an extremely close race, incumbent Rep. Jim Addis, R-Coeur d'Alene, trailed rival Joe Alfieri at 12:50 a.m. Addis had 3,026 votes while Alfieri had 3,190. The winner will face Democratic candidate Megan Dardis-Kunz in the general election.

Incumbent Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d'Alene trailed with just less than 50% of the vote while his competitor, Elaine Price, led with just more than 50%. This fall, the winner will run against Democratic candidate Larry Bieber, a longtime Coeur d'Alene coach and teacher.

DISTRICT 5

Incumbent Sen. Peter Riggs, R-Post Falls, was looking to be ousted by political newcomer Carl Bjerke who pulled in more than 62% of the vote to Riggs' nearly 38%.

"I am humbled as well as honored that so many people were willing to have faith in my abilities to bring back a more representative government to Idahoans — of, by and for the people," Bjerke said. "I look forward to being a part of a new direction in state politics; bringing a new culture, one that puts individual rights at the forefront. I will forever be indebted to those who supported my efforts and contributed to my campaign. Thank you."

No Democratic candidate is on the ballot to run for this seat in November.

Incumbent Rep. Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d'Alene, secured a sixth term in the Idaho Legislature. Mendive had an overwhelming majority of more than 83% of the vote by 12:50 a.m. Newcomer Cheri Zao trailed far behind with less than 17% of the vote.

"I want to thank all my supporters for believing in me," Zao told The Press. "We tried and we may have failed this time, but we didn’t fail to try. Be sure to get out and vote again in November."

Democratic candidate Kristy Reed Johnson will take on Mendive in November.