Record-Level Participation Shapes Key Local Contests
Shoshone County voters turned out in force Tuesday for the May primary election, with a combined 52% of registered voters casting ballots — one of the strongest primary showings the county has seen in recent memory. Several competitive local contests and a high-stakes school levy drove residents to the polls in numbers that far exceeded typical off-year primary participation.
The most enthusiastically received outcome of the night came from the Kellogg School District, where voters approved a two-year, $7 million replacement supplemental levy by a margin of 66.53% to 33.47%, with 1,411 votes in favor and 710 opposed. The vote carries added weight because a similar measure was rejected by voters in November’s general election, leaving district administrators facing the prospect of painful cuts to staff and programs.
KSD Board Chairperson Alexa Griffin, who spearheaded a volunteer education campaign ahead of the vote, described the result as transformative for the district. “We can now plan our next school year with confidence,” Griffin said, “and know we are doing everything in our power to give the kids the best experience and education we can.”
The levy funds are slated to cover student opportunities, teacher salaries and instructional support, transportation, and other essential school operations. The measure takes effect in July and will carry the district through two full school years.
Sheriff, Commissioner, and Judicial Races See Clear Frontrunners
In the Republican primary for Shoshone County Sheriff, recently appointed incumbent Shawn Wehr claimed a decisive victory with 57.88% of the vote, or 1,466 ballots. John Richter finished second with 25.07% and Chris Rice collected 17.05%. Wehr will face no opposition in November’s general election.
The Republican primary for District 1 County Commissioner was more competitive. Dameon Groves led the field with 44.73% of the vote, or 1,044 ballots, followed by Ryan Frick at 38.99% with 910 votes. David Norman Hildebrand placed third with 380 votes, representing 16.28% of the total. That race will continue to the general election.
In the 1st Judicial District judge race for Seat Shoshone A, Benjamin Allen posted strong numbers in Shoshone County, earning 68.22% of local votes compared to Lisa Chesebro’s 31.78%. District-wide, Allen led by a commanding margin — 63.54% to 36.46% — across all five counties, with only Benewah County’s returns outstanding as of Tuesday night. The gap was considered too large for the remaining votes to close.
In precinct committeeman contests, candidates aligned with the Shoshone County Republican Central Committee performed poorly, losing all but one of the contested races to independent challengers across Kellogg, Kingston, Pinehurst, Wallace, Mullan, and Osburn precincts.
Federal and Statewide Primaries Show Familiar Leaders
In federal races within Shoshone County, Republican Congressman Russ Fulcher claimed 71.23% of the GOP primary vote for U.S. House District 1, positioning him comfortably ahead of challengers Joseph Morrison and Andy Briner. Democrat Kaylee Peterson won her party’s primary with 80.80%.
U.S. Sen. Jim Risch led Shoshone County’s Republican U.S. Senate primary with 70.26% of the vote, well ahead of three challengers. On the Democratic side, David Roth took his party’s nomination with 54.24%.
In the Republican gubernatorial primary, incumbent Gov. Brad Little secured 61.02% of Shoshone County votes, with Mark Fitzpatrick finishing second at 27.54%. Democrat Terri Pickens led a crowded field in her party’s primary with 47.88%. The Libertarian gubernatorial race ended in a dead heat between Paul Sand and Melissa-Sue Robinson, each receiving exactly 50% of the vote. Under Idaho law, a tie in a primary is resolved through a coin flip following official canvassing.
Three county races — coroner, District 2 commissioner, and county assessor — advanced to the November general election through uncontested primaries, with Republican and Democratic nominees set to face each other in the fall.
What Comes Next
Official canvassing of Tuesday’s results will follow in the coming days, after which any outstanding tie scenarios will be resolved as required by Idaho statute. The November general election will determine the outcomes of the District 1 commissioner seat, all three uncontested-primary county races, and federal offices including the U.S. Senate and House. The Kellogg School District levy, meanwhile, takes effect in July, giving district administrators the fiscal foundation they need to begin planning for the 2026-27 school year. For broader Idaho election coverage, visit IdahoNews.co and for North Idaho context, see KootenaiCountyNews.com. Additional reporting is available at IdahoNewsNetwork.com.