COEUR d'ALENE - A total of 43 people have declared themselves write-in candidates for the May 20 primaries, setting up another 12 contested races across the county.

Democrats put up 38 write-in candidates for various central committee precinct seats, and two write-in candidates for county-level seats. That created 10 contested races that include write-in candidates on that party's ballot.

The large number of write-in candidates are in response to a handful of Republicans filing in March to get their names on the Democratic primary ballot in an attempt to take over the party's central committee.

On Tuesday, Republicans had put up three write-in candidates and created two more central committee races on that party's ballot.

Tuesday marked the deadline for filing to become a write-in candidate in the May 20 primaries.

Because the ballots are now full, District 2 State Sen. Steve Vick, R-Dalton, will automatically advance to the general election, where he is currently unopposed. A write-in candidate could still file to challenge him in the general election.

Democrat Jerry Shriner withdrew his bid to run for the Legislative District 3 Senate seat that is currently held by state Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene.

Instead, Shriner issued a press release Tuesday to announce that he is running as a write-in candidate to win his party's nomination for the District 2 County Commission seat currently held by Commissioner Jai Nelson. If successful, Shriner will face Republican candidate David Stewart in the general election in November.

In his release, Shriner said it is clear that Kootenai County voters want work done rather than ideological bickering.

"They want county commissioners who solve problems such as jail overcrowding, and planning and zoning," he said. "They want commissioners who listen and act. They don't like feeling they are being sold a bill of goods."

If Shriner gets the Democratic nomination, County Clerk Jim Brannon said his name will appear on the general election ballot.

Democrat Shirley McFaddan filed as a write-in candidate against former Republican Larry Spencer, who is now running for the Democratic nomination for Kootenai County Assessor.

For a complete listing of all candidates at the central committee or county level, visit the county's elections website at: www.kcgov.us/elections.

For a complete list of candidates running for state and federal legislative seats, visit the Idaho Secretary of State's elections website at www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/eleindex.htm.