Media team up to host candidate forums

SANDPOINT — Want to get to know local and state candidates?

Bonner County media and the Selkirk Association of Realtors are teaming up to help area voters do just that as the Bonner County Daily Bee, Sandpoint Online, the Sandpoint Reader, KRFY Community Radio and SAR are hosting a pair of candidate forums at the end of the month.

The forums are planned for Monday, May 4, and Tuesday, May 5, with both forums being held at Sandpoint High School's auditorium. Both forums will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will end at 7:30 p.m.

The Monday forum will feature candidates in contested Legislative District 1 races while the Tuesday forum will feature candidates in contested Bonner County races.

The Daily Bee will emcee at the Monday forum, while the Reader will emcee the Tuesday forum.

The forums are a partnership between the groups to provide voters with information on candidates before the primary election Tuesday, May 19, working together to build an educated electorate.

"These events are a great reminder of the power of civic engagement and the importance of open dialogue," Clint Schroeder, president and corporate publisher of Hagadone Communications, said of being asked to moderate the Bonner County primary election forum for legislative races.

Candidate forums provide a unique opportunity for voters to connect directly with candidates, Schroeder said.

The result is a better understanding of the policies and personalities that will shape our community, ensuring an informed electorate, Schroeder said.

"We aim to create a welcoming environment where thoughtful questions are encouraged, and diverse viewpoints can be expressed freely," he said. "This is more than just a chance to hear from those running for office — it’s a way to enhance our democratic process through engaged and informed discussion."

In the Republican race for the District 1 seat in the Idaho Senate, incumbent Jim Woodward and Scott Herndon are seeking the right to represent the party in the general election. The winner will face Steve Johnson, who is running as an independent candidate.

In race for the Idaho House 1A seat, Democrat Karen Matthee will face the winner of the race between incumbent Mark Sauter and Jane Sauter, no relation, who are seeking the Republican nomination to the office.

In the race for the Idaho House 1B seat, Chuck Lowman and incumbent Cornel Rasor both seeking the Republican nomination to the legislative seat. Kathryn Larson is running as an independent candidate and will be on the general election ballot in November.

In the District 1 county commission seat, running unopposed on the Republican ticket is Steve Smith. Smith will face Fred Arn, who is running as an independent, in the general election in November.

In the District 2 county commission seat, running on the Republican ticket are incumbent Asia Williams and Jeff Roberts. There are no candidates on the Democratic Party ticket and no independent candidates.

In the race for Bonner County Clerk, Roger Rudd will face off against fellow Republican Spencer Hutchings for the right to represent the party in the November election. While JoAnne Guzzi will appear on the ballot, she announced April 24 that she was dropping out of the race and endorsing Rudd for the party's nomination.

There are no candidates running on the Democratic Party ticket or as an independent candidate.

Running unopposed for Bonner County coroner is incumbent Robert Beers; running unopposed for Bonner County treasurer is incumbent Clorrisa Koster; and running unopposed for Bonner County assessor is Cory Gabel.

Candidates at both forums will answer questions from local media and the public on hot local topics. 

Suggested questions for the first forum can be submitted to Caroline Lobsinger at [email protected] and for the second forum to Ben Olson at [email protected]. Questions can also be submitted the evening of the events.