COEUR d'ALENE -A trio of Republicans led their Democratic challengers in the District 2 legislative races as of 12:45 this morning.

Sen. Steve Vick and Rep. Vito Barbieri, both incumbents, and political newcomer Ed Morse all held significant leads over their challengers according to results posted on the Kootenai County Elections Department website early today.

Only 15 of 73 precincts, in addition to more than 20,000 absentee ballots, had been counted by press deadline.

Vick, a Dalton Gardens resident and home renovation contractor seeking his second term, had earned 5,273 votes, or 67 percent of the counted total, outpacing Democrat Shirley McFaddan, of Athol.

McFaddan, a retired employee of Verizon, had 2,536 votes.

Barbieri, a Dalton Gardens resident and former bankruptcy lawyer turned conservative lawmaker known for his strong opposition to the federal Affordable Care Act, is also seeking his second term. He led the race for District 2 Seat A over Cheryl Stransky, 5,095 to 2,690.

Stransky, a retired school counselor who lives in Dalton Gardens, accounted for 34.55 percent of the counted total.

Ed Morse, a Hayden Republican, led Democrat Dan English 4,830 to 2,968.

Morse won the Republican primary over then embattled incumbent Phil Hart, whose quest for a fifth term ended amid legal battles over unpaid taxes. Morse is a real estate appraiser and consultant.

English, a former Kootenai County Clerk, is the founder and former executive director of two local nonprofits, North Idaho Youth for Christ and Anchor House-Idaho Youth Ranch. He is the resident manager of Twin Lakes Friends Camp and is a licensed professional counselor.