SANDPOINT — Cornel Rasor has been appointed to fill the open District 1B seat in the Idaho House of Representatives.

The seat was left vacant when former Idaho Rep. Sage Dixon stepped down early to accept a role as regional director for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. 

Dixon, who served in the District 1B seat, began his role with the department on Sept. 3, two days after he resigned from the post in a letter to Gov. Brad Little.

Rasor was notified earlier this week that he'd been appointed to fill the remaining three months of Dixon's term. Dixon had opted not to run for re-election.

"I'm just grateful to have this opportunity to serve the people of LD1 and the state," Rasor said in an email to the Daily Bee.

Shortly after Dixon announced his intentions to step down, the Republican Legislative Committee for District 1 nominated Rasor at its Sept. 7 meeting as its top pick to fill the remainder of Dixon's term. Also nominated were Jane Sauter, who had an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for the House of Representatives 1A seat; and Victoria Zeischegg, a longtime Bonner County Republican Women, Inc. member and leader.

Rasor was the Bonner County Republican Central Committee’s endorsed candidate in the May Republican primary election. He defeated fellow Republican Chuck Lowman in a close race to win the primary election and will face Democrat Kathryn Larson in the general election Nov. 5.

Scott Herndon, Bonner County Republican Central Committee chair, said Rasor is the right pick for the position. 

After winning and becoming the party’s nominee, Rasor has been steadfast in preparing for the general election and the next legislative session, Herndon said. This despite his business, Sandpoint Army Surplus, being destroyed in a July 4 arson fire.

"He has deep roots in Bonner County and has formerly served as Bonner County commissioner," Herndon said previously. "He brings a wealth of experience to the position of Idaho state representative, and I hope and expect the governor will shortly appoint Cornel to the remainder of Sage Dixon’s term."

Herndon said he appreciated Idaho Gov. Brad Little appointing the nominee who was endorsed and recommended by the Bonner County Republican Central Committee. The BCRCC chair said he also appreciated the more than thirty precinct committeemen and officers who volunteered their time to rate, vet and endorse Rasor.

He said he anticipated that Rasor would be "thoughtful and effective" in the seat, bringing dignity and honor to the office while working to "responsibly represent everyone in Bonner County while also respecting the Constitution and the traditions of the American republic."