‘We’re in the ascendency’

In North Idaho, Democrats are a political minority.

But this week, local Democrats who traveled to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention said they’re feeling a sense of unity and strength. 

“We are still fighting an uphill battle in North Idaho,” Evan Koch, chair of the Kootenai County Democrats, said in a phone interview Tuesday. “But there’s a very real sense, nationally, that we’re in the ascendency and we’ll turn this thing around.” 

Koch joined Idaho delegates and other party leaders attending the convention in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and her bid for the presidency.

“We look forward to Thursday night, to be able to confirm and hear from our next president,” he said. 

Koch said it’s gratifying to be surrounded by fellow Democrats at the convention.

“There are loads of us out there,” he said. “We’re not in the minority that we face in North Idaho, although I think that minority is smaller than the numbers would indicate.” 

Koch said he believes the U.S. is seeing the “beginning of the end” of the political movement centered around former president Donald Trump. 

“Kamala Harris will be our next president,” he said. “Tim Walz will be our next vice president. We are going to be able to repair the damage that has been done to our democracy and our way of life.” 

Jan Studer, vice chair of the Kootenai County Democrats, described the first night of the convention, where attendees heard from some of the most prominent figures in the Democratic Party, including President Joe Biden. 

“It was just electrifying,” she said. “The crowd was in tune with every moment. I think everyone was totally excited to be there and so positive about the experience.” 

Because she’s from Minnesota and still has family in the Land of 10,000 Lakes — including a brother who served in the National Guard — Studer said she’s especially interested in hearing more from Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. 

“I am just excited to get to know him better,” she said. “He’s so Minnesota nice.” 

Studer said she was glad to hear positive messages from fellow Democrats that are focused on the future. She said she’ll carry that energy back to North Idaho. 

“I’m hoping there are a lot of community members, not just Democrats, who are tired of the divisiveness,” she said. “We need to heal what’s happening at NIC, to heal the Community Library Network. We want to heal those wounds in our community and work together to improve Kootenai County.” 

    Idaho Democrats Jan Studer, Evan Koch and Kaylee Peterson are in Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention. Courtesy photo.