SANDPOINT — A majority of Bonner County voters opted for change on the county commission, but voted to stay the course at the sheriff’s office.

Longtime Priest River Councilman Jeff Connolly beat incumbent Todd Sudick by a 907-vote margin to clinch the Republican nomination and the race for the District 2 seat on the board.

Connolly won the East Priest River, Laclede, Priest River City West and West Priest River Bench precincts and ended the contest with 3,268 votes. Sudick notched wins in the Edgemere, Spirit Valley and Priest Lake precincts en route to 2,361 votes.

Neither Connolly nor Sudick responded to requests for comment on Wednesday.

In the District 3 race, Republican Dan McDonald gathered nearly twice as many votes as Lewie Rich, a former commissioner who lost the GOP nod to Cary Kelly four years ago. Kelly announced this year he would not stand for re-election.

McDonald collected 3,466 votes compared the Rich’s 2,020, a difference of 1,446 votes. The victory will carry McDonald through the Nov. 8 general election because there are no opponents. McDonald carried 32 of 33 precincts, many by significant margins.

“I am humbled by the support of the voters. I thank my opponent for running a good race but most of all thank my campaign staff and volunteers,” McDonald said.

Incumbent Republican Sheriff Daryl Wheeler, meanwhile, fended off a primary challenge by retired Idaho State Police Trooper Terry Ford. Wheeler, who was beset with controversy over a parody Ford campaign website established by his former undersheriff, garnered 4,508 votes to Ford’s 3,547, a difference of 961 votes.

Wheeler won all precincts except Baldy, Dover and Sandpoint. Ford and Wheeler tied in the Humbird and Selle precincts.

“I am thankful for the vote of support and confidence expressed by the voters of Bonner County on Tuesday. I am looking forward to serving the people for another four years,” Wheeler said.

The Northside Fire District’s permanent levy override to implement 24/7 response cratered at the polls. District patrons opposed the levy 957-644, a 313-vote margin.

The West Pend Oreille Fire District’s levy and general obligation bonds, meanwhile, received approval from a majority of its patrons. The levy passed 583-361 and the bond passed 555-377.