Debra Henderson is running for Boundary County commissioner in District 2 because she believes too many major decisions are made without sufficient public scrutiny. 

“Whether it’s the landfill, upcoming levies, or long-term planning, I want to bring a fresh set of eyes that asks the hard questions before we spend taxpayer money,” Henderson said. 

Henderson said fiscal accountability is her top priority, along with managing growth. 

“Every levy — hospital, school, or fire — needs full public review with clear numbers on what it actually costs taxpayers and what the alternatives are,” Henderson said. “I also want to fix how we handle growth: bring Planning & Zoning back in-house so decisions reflect local values instead of Bonner County priorities.” 

Henderson said she has begun preparing for the role and wants to improve public access to information. 

“I’ve already started meeting directly with department heads to understand their real challenges instead of relying on secondhand information,” Henderson said. “I’d immediately move commissioner meetings to a hybrid format with Facebook Live and Zoom so working people and farmers can actually participate.”

Henderson said she would consider input from both longtime residents and newer community members, basing her decisions on facts, fairness and what benefits the county as a whole rather than specific groups. 

“Transparency isn’t optional,” Henderson said. “People deserve to see and understand the decisions being made with their tax dollars.” 

Henderson said she brings hands-on business and operations leadership experience, including work in managing sales and financing. 

“In retail management, I was responsible for large teams, multimillion-dollar budgets, inventory control, staffing and day-to-day operations in a high-accountability environment,” Henderson said. “I also worked with large-scale farms and ranches across North Dakota through John Deere equipment sales and service, helping them manage equipment purchases, financing, maintenance and operational efficiency on a massive scale.” 

Supporting the timber industry and its families is important to Henderson, whose family was supported by timber dollars from the logging industry. Now, her own kids are raising their families the same way.  

“I’ve watched the real challenges facing timber operators: declining harvest volumes on federal lands due to regulatory delays and litigation, skyrocketing fuel and equipment costs, labor shortages and the constant pressure of wildfire risk from fuel loading,” Henderson said. “These issues hit family logging businesses hard and ripple through our entire local economy.” 

Henderson said she plans to continue her education in law to better understand the legal framework behind policy decisions. 

“These are exactly the skills this job needs: managing budgets, asking the right questions and making decisions based on facts, not politics or assumptions,” Henderson said. 

Henderson said she does not consider herself a politician. 

“I’m not a politician,” Henderson said. “I’m not part of any inner circle. I’m a Boundary County mother, grandmother and small business person who believes government should be limited, transparent, and accountable to the people who pay the bills.” 

Listening to everyone equally is one of her priorities. 

“I will never switch parties to get more votes,” Henderson said. “I will always work for all the people of Boundary County and my ears will hear everyone out equally.” 

Henderson said she is committed to working hard if elected as a commissioner. 

“I will do what it takes to bring our community together and keep everything we do as transparent as possible,” Henderson said. “I can’t be bought and I will ask the uncomfortable questions that need to be asked.”

She said that she would try to make a positive change as best as she could. 

“One commissioner can’t fix everything in two years, but I’ll give it my best.” 

Henderson has lived in Boundary County since 1979, moving with her mother and two younger sisters. She has four children, as well as grandchildren.  

She is running against Tim Bertling for Boundary County commissioner in District 2.