COEUR d’ALENE — Qualifications and civility in local government were central topics Thursday when all four candidates for two seats on the Board of County Commissioners addressed the North Idaho Federated Republican Women at Seasons of Coeur d’Alene.

Republicans Julie Hensley, John Padula, Steve Em and Bruce Mattare are all in the running for the May 19 primary election. 

Padula and Hensley are running for the District 1 seat currently held by Marc Eberlein, who is not seeking reelection. 

It’s round two for Padula, a pastor at The Altar Church in Coeur d’Alene. He ran unsuccessfully two years ago in a four-way Republican primary for the same office. 

“My heart, if I’m elected, is to serve the people, make sure the taxpayers are represented on the county level and make sure that no party, no affiliation, no other commissioner and no entity rules me,” he said. 

Hensley said she works part-time as a nurse and runs a business with her husband, Operator Survival Tool. She said policy, growth management, long-term planning and stewarding tax dollars should be a commissioner’s focus. 

“This isn’t really about who has the better story,” she said. “It’s about those qualifications to be county commissioner.” 

In the District 2 race, incumbent Bruce Mattare will face challenger Steve Em. 

First elected in 2022, Mattare said his business background prepared him for the role of commissioner. 

“It’s the one job in the county where, really, a business person is best suited, someone who understands cash flow, someone who understands policy, someone who understands human resources,” he said. 

He said growth is the biggest issue facing the county. 

“We have a window right now where we’re updating our comprehensive plan,” he said. “We have a very small window to get it right and if we can get it right, it’ll actually lead to a better tax policy and it’ll allow infrastructure to keep pace with growth.” 

Em said he comes from a public service background, including a career working with youth in the Los Angeles County Probation Department. He now works for Spokane Waste Management. 

“I’ve seen things throughout Kootenai County that need fixed,” he said. “I’m a blue-collar worker coming into a white-collar field. I know that. But I’m hoping to mend the division that I see.” 

The question of division was one of several that the candidates fielded from community members. One attendee asked about the sometimes-tense tone of meetings before the BOCC and how the candidates might improve conditions if elected. 

“A lot of people get emotional, especially when it comes to political issues,” Em said. “There’s some political issues that you hold near and dear to your heart.” 

But it’s never necessary to quarrel with fellow commissioners or people who address the board, Em said. 

“Respect is a two-way street,” he said. 

Hensley said open communication can resolve disputes. 

“You have to be able to have those conversations,” she said. “You aren’t always going to agree. You need to be able to stand firm in your beliefs.” 

Mattare said he aims to advocate for the policies he campaigned on. Tense moments, he said, often stem from a reluctance to answer tough questions. 

“Do you want someone who’s going to vigorously work on your behalf to fix some of these issues or is it more appropriate where everything is good and kumbaya and we all get along, but you don’t know what’s happening?” he said. 

Padula said he disagreed with Mattare. 

“I think we should be getting along, singing kumbaya,” he said with a laugh. “I think as adults and elected officials, we don’t need to disrespect each other when we’re having healthy debate.”