The March 20 filing deadline has come and gone, and Shoshone County is set to experience several notable leadership changes this year as a number of elected offices draw contested races. 

Of the seven open county seats, only three Shoshone County incumbents are seeking re-election. Two of those races are uncontested: clerk Lori Osterberg (R) and treasurer Karey Eddy (D). 

Two of the remaining contests will be decided during the May primary elections, with the rest advancing directly to the General Election in November. 

Perhaps the most publicized race is for Shoshone County sheriff. Republicans Chris Rice, John Richter and Shawn Wehr are vying for the recently volatile position. 

Rice or Wehr could be considered an incumbent if either is appointed to fill the currently vacant seat by the Shoshone County commissioners later this week. They are joined by current interim sheriff Travis Skinner for the potential appointment. 

Two seats on the Shoshone Board of County Commissioners are also open, including District 1, currently held by Melissa Cowles, and District 2, currently held by Dave Dose. 

Three Republicans have filed for the District 1 seat: Dameon Groves, David Hildebrand and Ryan Frick. Hildebrand most recently lost a 2024 bid for Shoshone County sheriff to Holly Lindsey. 

The District 2 seat will be a three-way race in the fall, with Republican Tami Atkins facing former commissioner Jay Huber, a Democrat. Sabrina Hyndman is running a write-in campaign as a registered independent. 

In the race for county assessor, Democratic candidate Katie Murray will take on Republican Robert Savage in the General Election. Murray has worked in the assessor’s office for the past seven years. 

The only other incumbent appearing on the General Election ballot is coroner Rick Smith, a Democrat, who will face Republican challenger Julie Hernandez. 

Several candidates have already secured endorsements from local political action committees. However, the Shoshone County Republican Party is undergoing a shift, as the longtime Shoshone County Republican Central Committee is being challenged by the recently formed Shoshone First Republicans. According to members, the group is composed of moderate Republicans and is working toward official PAC status, after which it plans to endorse candidates formally.