Democrat Bud McCall won re-election to his District 3 seat on the Benewah County commission, fending off Republican challenger Thomas Howard.

"I think we had a very good turnout," McCall, 76, said Wednesday. "I'm happy that it was, too."

McCall earned 2,426 votes, compared with Howard's 1,351 votes. The outcome was determined early Wednesday.

Benewah County Commissioner Jack Buell, also a Democrat, won re-election in the county's 1st District, receiving 2,925 votes in his uncontested race.

McCall has made a habit of serving on the board of commissioners, putting in 34 years already. His newest term is for two years.

"There are a lot of good people up in my district," he said. "And I like and serve all Benewah County residents."

His challenger this time around didn't go quietly, accusing McCall of not actually being a resident of District 3.

McCall has homes in Fernwood and St. Maries, but Howard said McCall doesn't stay in the Fernwood home. McCall said he spends more than enough time in Fernwood - between his shop and trailer home - to be considered a resident.

"Most of the time it's been on a friendly basis," he said of past elections. "(Howard) probably made some statements he wished that he didn't."

McCall, not Howard, was the candidate backed by the county's Republican leaders.

One of McCall's immediate priorities in his next term is to make sure the old county road bridge across the St. Maries River in the southern part of his district gets replaced.

"It's served its time," he said. He estimated it's been in use for 50 to 60 years.

It's a mostly state-funded project, he said.

The project has been in the works for 10 years, he said.

Howard, 56, of Fernwood, a former pastor, didn't return a call Wednesday seeking comment about the race.