Embattled assessor retains office

COEUR d’ALENE — After an election cycle marked by sharp criticism from his staff, an unprecedented pay cut and a lawsuit, Kootenai County Assessor Béla Kovacs was victorious Wednesday in his bid to retain his office over write-in candidate Bob Scott.

Meanwhile, Republican incumbent Leslie Duncan won the county’s only contested commissioner race, defeating Democratic challenger Ruben Miranda by a wide margin.

Kovacs received about 75% of the vote. He did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

Scott received more than 12,800 write-in votes.

“We did have a really great result, in spite of not winning,” he said. “We can all be proud of what we did.”

It was the second bout between Kovacs and Scott. They previously faced off in the Republican primary election, where Kovacs garnered about 57% of the vote.

Scott said he knew the general election was destined to be an uphill battle, without his name on the ballot and with an opponent backed by the Kootenai County GOP. But he said it was worth the fight.

“I’m really proud of what we were able to do,” Scott said. “That’s a tremendous result for a write-in. That tells me there was a strong reason to do what I did.”

In letters submitted to The Press before the May primary election, more than 30 current and former Assessor’s Office employees asked the public not to vote for Kovacs, calling him a detriment to the office.

Staff cited Kovacs’ inexperience, disinterest in the daily workings of the office and alleged disrespect for his employees as reasons for their lack of support. Kovacs contended that the staff’s complaints were politically motivated.

Scott is a residential lead appraiser and nine-year Assessor’s Office employee.

“I’m back to work,” he said. “I’m still concerned about the office, but I plan to be professional and work with (Kovacs) and the rest of the staff.”

Kovacs received fewer votes than other Republican candidates running for county office.

In the uncontested races for District 2 county commissioner, clerk, treasurer and coroner, the Republican candidates each received between 50,000 and 51,000 votes, while Kovacs had earned about 40,500.

Duncan received about 46,000 votes in the race for District 3 county commissioner. She defeated Democratic challenger Ruben Miranda, who got about 14,400 votes.

“I’m very blessed to have the confidence of the people and I will serve them with passion and integrity these next two years,” Duncan said Wednesday.

Duncan ran unopposed in the Republican primary election. She was first elected to the board in 2018 and serves as chairman.

Last month, Kovacs sued Kootenai County, asking a court to restore the salary that commissioners voted unanimously to cut in half due to his failure to perform the duties of his office.

Effective Oct. 1, Kovacs' salary dropped from about $90,000 per year to $45,000.

A status conference in the case is scheduled for late November.

Duncan confirmed Wednesday that salaries for elected officials are set once a year as part of the budget process, so the results of the general election will have no impact on Kovacs’ pay.