POST FALLS - Two 3rd Legislative District incumbents were leading races in Tuesday's primary election at press-time early this morning.

However, only absentee votes and 11 of 70 precincts had been counted as of 12:20 a.m. today.

Leading the way toward Republican nominations for November's general election were:

* Incumbent Senator Bob Nonini, ahead of Pat Whalen 975-532;

* Incumbent House Seat A holder Ron Mendive, leading Terry Werner 966-500

* Don Cheatham, with 562, leading Jeff Ward's 449 and Greg Gfeller's 398 for House Seat B.

House Seat B is currently held by Frank Henderson, who is retiring. Henderson endorsed Gfeller.

Nonini and Mendive are from Coeur d'Alene, while all of the other candidates are from Post Falls.

The district includes Post Falls, most of Rathdrum, parts of the Coeur d'Alene area and south to Worley.

Whalen, president of the Resource Computing software firm in Coeur d'Alene, said it's time for leaders to get on the same page to spur on jobs for North Idaho.

"That hasn't been demonstrated (in recent years)," he said.

Whalen said a lot of the same people showed up for community events during the election season, but he believed reaching voters who aren't in the public eye as much would be crucial.

Whalen said he's thankful for the support, as his campaigned raised about $31,000.

"I think that speaks volumes, and almost none of that came from lobbyists or PACs (political action committees) and instead, individuals," he said.

Nonini, owner of Nonini Financial Services, has served two years in the Senate and served eight years in the House before that. Nonini couldn't be reached for comment late Tuesday night.

The winner of the Senate race will face Democrat Jerry Shriner of Coeur d'Alene in the November general election.

Werner, the city of Post Falls' public services director - who plans to retire this fall - said he didn't have a feel for how his race on Tuesday would turn out. He said it can be difficult unseating an incumbent, but he has been in the community working at the city, serving on the Post Falls Highway District board and has volunteered with civic groups.

"The incumbent normally has an advantage, but my name is well-known in Post Falls," Werner said. "Most people believe that I'm fair and willing to listen."

Mendive is semi-retired and a principal in a corporation that developed a self-igniting pellet stove. Mendive couldn't be reached for comment late Tuesday.

Werner thought support from some former local legislators helped his campaign.

"When you're running against an incumbent, that's huge," he said. "I believe that points to my character and my abilities, of what I've done at the city since I started out as a meter-reader."

But Werner said the biggest factor is always who turns out at the polls.

"The Rally Right side of the party is pretty close-knit and they get people out to vote," said Werner, a moderate.

The House Seat A winner will face Democrat Michelle Lippert of Post Falls in November.

Gfeller, director of operations for Avista Utilities' North Idaho operation, said having Henderson's endorsement helped his campaign.

"It was a big deal," Gfeller said. "I've had the opportunity to spend some time with him. He and I are aligned a lot, especially on economic development."

Ward, president and founding member of the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans, is a former North Idaho director for the Idaho Republican Party.

Cheatham, a former Los Angeles police officer and recently retired from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, made his first run for office.

No Democrat has filed for House Seat B in November.