COEUR d’ALENE — At Donkephant 2018, Innovation Collective founder Nick Smoot hopes to inject a shot of positivity into the 2018 political cycle. The May 9 bipartisan event will give the public a chance to hear what candidates for state office have to say, and to get to know them afterward.

“The humans running for political office are trying. They stick their necks out there and are judged by all,” said Smoot. “Donkephant is a party to celebrate all the efforts of the citizens running for a political office in our community. Let’s party while honoring democracy and those who choose to take a risk as leaders,” Smoot added.

According to Smoot, the plan is for all in attendance to gather in the large living room at the Innovation Den, with candidates running as Democrats in one room and the Republican candidates in another. The audience will divide in half and take turns listening in as candidates from either party make their pitches about what they intend to do if elected. Each candidate will have an equal amount of time to talk, he said, and no negative comments about other candidates will be allowed. Instead of a question-and-answer period, everyone will have the chance to talk with candidates in the Innovation Collective’s lair after they’ve all given their two cents.

So far Paul Amador, Cory English, Shem Hanks, Bob Nonini, Michael Pereira, Rebecca Schroeder, and Mary Souza have confirmed they will attend, with Jim Addis and Roger Garlock awaiting confirmation.

The event is free and donations are welcome to cover the costs for wine, beer, and facilities.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 6:15 p.m. at the Innovation Den located at 418 E. Lakeside Ave. in Coeur d’Alene. Celebration and conversations in the lair begin at 8 p.m.

Smoot thanked the Coeur d’Alene Press for partnering on the fun event, and the University of Idaho-Coeur d’Alene for partnering on their Fireside Chats. For more information on Donkephant 2018, go to bit.ly/donkephant.