Rowland running for Kootenai County commissioner

Roger Rowland is running as an independent candidate for Kootenai County Commissioner District 3 and looking to unseat Republican incumbent commissioner Leslie Duncan.

“I am running for county commissioner because I believe voters deserve a choice in candidates and my background and perspective are well-suited for the issues facing the county,” he said in a news release. 

Rowland said he has “broad and varied business experience,” as well as federal law enforcement experience. He is a combat veteran with a master’s degree in public administration and many years of leadership experience, according to a news release. 

He said growth, protecting the aquifer, supporting the small business community and local farmers and improving government efficiencies are his top priorities. 

“People are going to continue to come to Kootenai County and our area will continue to grow,” he said. “We need a Board of County Commissioners that will provide an actionable plan to address the issues resulting from growth. I am not a proponent of more government and more bureaucracy. I support government effectiveness and efficiency, which often requires changing the way we do things. I think we need to differentiate partisan politics and issues of national importance from managing the county.” 

Rowland said he believes collaboration with all county municipalities, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and all concerned citizens is “fundamental to making measurable progress.” 

“My ultimate objective for running is to keep Kootenai County special,” he said.