COEUR d'ALENE - The controversial Athol lawmaker known for his crusade against income taxes will not earn a fifth term in the Idaho House of Representatives.

Rep. Phil Hart, the polarizing politician entangled in multiple levels of litigation stemming from his fight over taxes, lost to political newcomer Ed Morse in Tuesday's Republican primary election for the newly re-mapped District 2 Seat B.

Morse, a Hayden Republican and real estate appraiser, earned 1,984 votes - 35.45 percent of the total in the four-way race.

Hart earned 1,746 votes, or 31.20 percent, according to the Kootenai County Elections Department.

Morse could not be reached for comment early Wednesday. He is a board member of the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans, and is also a member of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce.

Ron Vieselmeyer finished in third place, with 1,116 votes, 19.9 percent of the total, followed by Fritz Wiedenhoff, who received 751 votes or 13.42 percent.

The district represents northern Kootenai and southern Bonner counties.

The loss marks a sudden end for the controversial incumbent who made headlines recently - not for lawmaking - but for legal troubles.

The federal government is suing Hart for more than half a million in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties and is pushing for foreclosure on property they say he transferred illegally. Trial is set for November.

The Idaho State Tax Commission is also seeking $53,523 from Hart, owner of Alpine Engineering in Hayden, in unpaid taxes.

Hart unsuccessfully sued the federal government in the mid-'90s over the constitutionality of the income tax, and boycotted state and federal income tax for several years.

But Hart has also earned a strong following for his fight against the government.

Morse will face Democrat Dan English, of Rathdrum, in the Nov. 6 election.