WALLACE — Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin Allen defeated Lisa Chesebro in the race for Idaho’s 1st Judicial District judge seat. 

Allen carried all five counties in the district, earning at least 63% of the vote in each and 64.09% overall, with 25,921 votes to Chesebro’s 14,523, or 35.91%. 

“We are honored and humbled by the voices of our constituents who showed up to the polls this Primary Election to select the next District Judge here in North Idaho,” Allen said in a statement released Wednesday. “It seemed wherever we traveled in North Idaho, we encountered campaign signs, banners, and statements of support, evidencing the care that our communities showed for this election. At the same time, we were enlightened to hear from so many of our citizens about what they hope to see from our judiciary and their view of our courts – some good, some bad, and some indifferent.” 

Allen won Shoshone County, both candidates’ home county, with 68.22% of the vote (2,134) to Chesebro’s 31.78% (994). 

In Kootenai County, the district’s largest voting base, Allen earned 62.82% (15,373) to Chesebro’s 37.18% (9,097). In Benewah County, Allen received 73.26% of the vote (652) compared with Chesebro’s 26.74% (238). In Bonner County, Allen won 63.09% (5,937) to Chesebro’s 36.91% (3,473). In Boundary County, Allen secured 71.68% of the vote (1,825) while Chesebro received 28.32% (721). 

Allen said Wednesday he will not take the bench until he formally resigns as Shoshone County’s prosecuting attorney and completes the installation process, which he expects to finish by January 2027. 

In his new role, Allen will be primarily based out of Shoshone County, but he will also serve in Benewah County as well. In Idaho, district judges can be assigned to preside over cases in any district. 

“It has been a blessing and an honor to serve the residents of Shoshone County as your Prosecuting Attorney for the past decade, and I will look forward to serving constituents across North Idaho from the bench in the years to come,” Allen said. 

Current 1st District Judge Barbara Duggan is expected to retire this month. Until Allen assumes the position, a rotation of current district judges will serve Shoshone County. 

Following Allen’s resignation, Shoshone County will need to appoint a replacement to serve the remaining two years of his term.