Dennis Engelhardt, currently serving as the Bonner County assessor, officially announced his candidacy to remain in the position Wednesday morning.

Engelhardt was one of nine applicants interviewed by the Bonner County Republican Central Committee and was one of three finalists submitted to the Bonner County Board of Commissioners to interview for the position. He was appointed June 6, 2023, to replace the previous assessor, who resigned due to medical reasons.

Engelhardt brings 20 years of experience in supervision, management and administration, which he gained during his 30-year career in law enforcement, from which he retired as a sheriff’s captain. With a proven track record of effective leadership and dedication to providing fair and equitable property assessments, he said he is committed to continuing his service to the community as an assessor.

"I am honored to have served as your appointed assessor, and now, I am eager to seek the vote of the people through the democratic process," he said. "My commitment to fairness, integrity and transparency remains unwavering.”

The assessor said there was some apprehension from staff about him since he came in as a new face to the county, but he now enjoys a “rewarding working relationship with a group of dedicated professionals committed to their jobs in service to Bonner County.”

“I have put together a strong management team and look forward to building on the progress we've made and continue to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our assessor's office,” he said.

Engelhardt's campaign will focus on promoting transparency, fostering community engagement and utilizing technology to streamline assessment processes.

Engelhardt plans to host events, town halls and new opportunities to connect with the community to discuss the issues that matter most to Bonner County residents.