Independent candidates in Cd'A for Sept. 10 forum

To help inform community members of their options in the November election, DART will host an Independent Candidate Forum on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Family Harding Center, according to Rick Palagi, DART Board Chair.

Todd Achilles and Sarah Zabel, independent candidates for Idaho's two open congressional seats, have both confirmed they will attend. John Stegner, an independent candidate for Idaho governor, has confirmed he will be there, according to event organizers.

"DART's intent is to inform and educate our community members to qualified, competent, reasonable leaders for key leadership positions that serve the entire spectrum of North Idaho's interests," said Palagi. "This is not an endorsement of any candidate but an attempt to understand good people's backgrounds, qualifications and motivation for seeking election," he added.

A growing number of voters are seeking candidates who reflect their values and prioritize the community's interests, Palagi noted. Independent candidates, he explained, face an inherent disadvantage without the visibility and organizational support that a political party provides to Democratic and Republican candidates.

"We hope this forum will allow the opportunity for the community to hear directly from the candidates so they can evaluate all the candidates who are running for election in November," Palagi emphasized.

Todd Achilles is a U.S. Army veteran and former tank commander who represented District 16B in the Idaho House of Representatives from 2024 to 2025. Before entering public service, he held leadership positions in the technology and telecommunications industries. Achilles is co-founder and president of Veterans for Idaho Voters and teaches technology and public policy at Boise State University and other institutions. He resigned his legislative seat in July 2025 and is currently running as an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate from Idaho.

Sarah Zabel is a retired U.S. Air Force major general who served on active duty from 1987 to 2018. During her 31-year military career, she held command and senior staff positions in communications, cybersecurity, and information technology, including serving as Vice Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency. She holds degrees from the U.S. Air Force Academy, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Air Command and Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. Zabel is currently running as an independent candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District.

John Stegner is an attorney and former Idaho Supreme Court justice who served on Idaho’s highest court from 2018 until retiring from judicial service in 2023. Before joining the Supreme Court, he served for more than two decades as an Idaho district court judge and previously practiced law in Lewiston. A native of Grangeville, Stegner holds a B.A. from Whitman College and a J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law. He is currently running as an independent candidate for governor of Idaho.

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