Maj. Ben Wolfinger will be running for Kootenai County's highest law enforcement position this November after conquering his Republican foes Tuesday.

Wolfinger handily won the sheriff race with 5,489 votes, or 43 percent.

Opponent Keith Hutcheson earned 3,795 votes, 29.8 percent. Candidate John Green garnered 27 percent with 3,450 votes.

Wolfinger, who has served in all departments of the Sheriff's Department over the past 30 years, was confident as the results continued to be posted late Tuesday.

"I think people recognize that experience really counts, and they're voting that way," Wolfinger said. "It was hard fought, and it's been a long several months doing it."

He lauded the clean races he and his opponents ran, he added.

"We all agreed we were going to keep it above the mud and very respectful and that happened," Wolfinger said.

Hutcheson could not be reached early this morning.

Wolfinger will face three independents in the general election: Joe Bodman, Bob Foster and Tom Dickson.

Current Sheriff Rocky Watson, who has held the position nearly 20 years, chose not to run for re-election.