BONNERS FERRY — With 99% of the ballots counted shortly after 11 p.m. on May 19, Scott Herndon, Jane Sauter and Cornel Rasor have claimed the GOP nomination for Legislative District 1 seats. 

Tim Bertling has claimed the GOP nomination for Boundary County commissioner of District 2 and Pam Bartling has claimed the GOP nomination for Boundary County clerk.  

District 1 legislative races 

Republican incumbent Jim Woodward was defeated by former State Senator Scott Herndon to get the GOP nomination for the District 1 state Senate seat. Herndon received 8,182 votes, or 53.39%. Woodward received 7,142 votes, or 46.61%. 

Herndon will now face independent candidate Steve Johnson in the general election in November.  

Both District 1 seats in the state House of Representatives were on the primary ballot. In the race for the District 1A seat, Jane Sauter defeated incumbent Mark Sauter (no relation) to win the GOP nomination. Jane Sauter received 8,081 votes, or 53.44%. Mark Sauter received 7,041 votes, or 46.56%. 

Jane Sauter will face Democratic candidate Karen Matthee in the November general election for the District 1A seat.  Matthee had 944 votes with 99% of the ballots counted. 

In the District 1B seat race, incumbent Cornel Rasor defeated Chuck Lowman to receive the GOP nomination. Rasor received 9,355 votes, or 63.10%. Chuck Lowman received 5,471 votes, or 36.90%. 

Rasor will face independent candidate Kathryn Larson in the general election for the District 1B seat.  

Boundary County races 

Republican incumbent Tim Bertling defeated Debra Henderson for the District 2 county commissioner seat. Bertling received 2,233 votes, or 70.73%. Henderson received 924 votes, or 29.27%.  

Bertling thanked the people that supported him during the race.

"I appreciate that and to the people that I did not earn their votes, hopefully, with my next term, I can improve or meet the needs that you want," Bertling said. "I just want the best for the county and go in a positive direction."

In the open county clerk race, Pam Barton defeated Stacie Watts and Kimberly Kichenmaster. Barton received 1,705 votes, or 53.97%. Watts received 837 votes, or 26.50%. Kichenmaster received 617 votes, or 19.53%. 

Barton said she was deeply honored and humbled by the trust the people have placed in her.

"Thank you to all the voters, the volunteers, supporters and especially my family who supported me through this primary season in running for Boundary County clerk," Barton said.

"I would also like to thank the county workers who work hard every day behind the scenes to keep our local government functioning," Barton said. "To those who supported other candidates, I am hearing you too. I would like to hear more about the concerns you have going forward and try to address those concerns or have the opportunity to explain the reasons behind the processes."

In the uncontested District 1 county commissioner race, incumbent Lester Pinkerton received 2,593 votes.  

In the uncontested county treasurer race, incumbent Jennifer Economu received 2,626 votes. 

In the uncontested county assessor race, incumbent Olivia Drake received 2,625 votes.  

In the uncontested county coroner race, incumbent Chad Workman received 2,691 votes. 

All candidates for county seats are registered as Republicans.