Republican legislators beat primary challengers
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months, 4 weeks AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | May 20, 2026 1:06 AM
Incumbent state lawmakers came out on top in both contested Republican primary elections on Tuesday.
Rep. Elaine Price held onto her District 4B seat in the Idaho Legislature, beating challenger Christa Hazel.
Price won 59% of the vote and 4,135 votes overall. She did not return a request for comment on Tuesday.
“Tonight, the voters spoke and I respect the will of the people,” Hazel said. “I remain hopeful that North Idaho can move forward with less division, better rhetoric and a renewed focus on community.”
Rep. Vito Barbieri beat challenger Eric Seeley by a wide margin in the Republican race for the District 3A seat in the Idaho Legislature.
Barbieri received 72% of the vote and 7,175 votes in total. He did not return a request for comment.
“I would like to congratulate my opponent, Vito, and appreciate all the honks and the waves and the support that I’ve seen over many, many weeks of holding signs,” Seeley said Tuesday night.
Hazel
Barbieri
SeeleyARTICLES BY KAYE THORNBRUGH
Stateline shooter pleads guilty to manslaughter
A DoorDash driver who fatally shot a pedestrian during a road rage incident near Stateline Speedway has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, though whether a judge will accept the pretrial settlement offer in the case remains to be seen.
Stateline shooter pleads guilty to manslaughter
Prosecutors originally charged Edsel Johnson with first-degree murder
A DoorDash driver who fatally shot a pedestrian during a road rage incident near Stateline Speedway has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, though whether a judge will accept the pretrial settlement offer in the case remains to be seen.
Kootenai County history revealed
Community members get close-up look at time capsule contents
Liz Boutin is no stranger to historical artifacts. A museum professional and fine artist, Boutin said she's handled Egyptian and Greek items that date back to antiquity. But she had a new experience this summer, after local historical preservationists retrieved a 100-year time capsule from inside the outer wall of the old Kootenai County courthouse.