SANDPOINT — Sagle gun store owner Spencer Hutchings has announced his candidacy for Bonner County Clerk. 

Familiar with the election process, Hutchings said his decision to run for county clerk stems from current clerk Michael Rosedale’s retirement from the position, in addition to his feelings of distrust with previous administrations.  

“I've come to the conclusion that our government no longer serves us. It would seem the roles have reversed, and we now serve the government. Our elected officials seem to have lost sight of the fact that they are public servants,” Hutchings said. “As a civic-minded citizen of Bonner County, I am uncomfortable doing nothing as I see this happening to us. I feel the need to take a stand to contribute in a positive way to reverse this situation.” 

Hutchings said the clerk’s busy position would be a good fit for his skillset, highlighting his comfort with large budgets and experience as a business owner, Marine Corps veteran, and construction project manager, where he worked for a large hospital firm and handled large staff and budgets. 

He also cited his experience as a treasurer for the Bonner County Republican Central Committee when discussing his familiarity with the clerk’s position. However, Hutchings was removed from the committee following claims of leaked executive session information, according to a Sept. 27 Daily Bee article. Hutchings disputes those claims due to discrepancies.  

Hutchings said his candidacy for clerk is based on transparency and truth, where community members should feel like they’re getting “nothing but the truth” from county employees.  

“People should feel like ‘this person is trying to help me, and they’re not trying to make my life difficult.’ I want people to feel like they’re being served, not like they’re peasants who are working for their government. But that the government is working for them,” Hutchings said.  

A Bonner County resident since 2012, Hutchings moved to Sagle after growing up in the Sierra Nevada mountains. He said his move from California was driven by the state’s “destructive policies.”  

Hutchings’ name will appear on the ballot during the May 19 primary elections for county clerk, alongside Roger Rudd and JoAnne Guzzi.