Shaw, Rose survive tough challenges

Incumbent county commissioners Arlie Shaw (left and Larry Rose (right), narrowly won their contested races against Dave Pursell and Doug King, respectively, in the GOP primary Tuesday.

On the Republican ballot:

In the hotly contested District 1 county commissioner's race, incumbent Arlie Shaw turned back a strong challenge by former police officer and first-time politician Dave Pursell, Shaw winning 940-734.

In the District 2 county commissioner's race, incumbent Larry Rose won narrowly after a strong showing by Doug King. Rose won by an 847-784 margin.

At the county level, incumbent Sheriff Rick Layher was unopposed, but earned 1,375 votes.

Also being challenged in the GOP primary was incumbent state senator Tim Corder, who handily turned back a challenge by Clayton Cramer 1,063-628. In Boise County, he won 886-567. Incumbent state representatives Pete Nielsen (1,203 votes in Elmore County, 1074 in Boise County) and Rich Wills (1,398 votes and 1091 votes ) were unopposed.

In the crowded GOP primary for the right to replace Sen. Larry Craig, former governor Jim Risch easily defeated all challengers in Elmore County. The totals at press time were: Risch -- 1,142; Fred Adams -- 41; Brian Hefner -- 35; Bill Hunter -- 44; Richard Phenneger -- 89; Hal Styles -- 32; Scott Syme -- 180; Neil Thompson -- 67.

Incumbent Second District Congressman Mike Simpson also easily won the right to advance to the November elections, defeating Jack Chappell and Gregory Nemitz by a margin of 1,426 to 136 to 99, respectively.

Elmore County voters also overwhelmingly supported John McCain for president with 1,225 votes, Ron Paul earned 345 votes, and 118 votes were cast for uncommitted delegates to the GOP national convention.

On the Democratic ballot:

The only contested local race was for District 1 county commissioner, where Janet Langfitt handily defeated Cassandra Farley 347-158 for the right to advance to the fall election.

At the state level, Elmore County Democrats gave the nod to Deborah Holmes 351-140 over David Sneddon in the Second Congressional District race, and Larry LaRocco defeated David Archuleta 394-144 for the U.S. Senate race.

Going against the results of the local presidential caucus, Hillary Clinton earned 271 votes to Barack Obama's 259. Texas penitentiary inmate Keith Judd earned 8 votes, and 34 votes were cast for uncommitted delegates to the Democratic national convention.

All other Democratic races had no opposition, although locally Robbin Ellis earned 425 votes in his bid to challenge Rick Layher this fall, and incumbent county prosecutor Kristina M. Schindele, who is unopposed at present on both ballots, earned 446 votes.

In the unopposed state race for District 22, Rustyn Casiano received 442 votes for state senator from Elmore County voters and 182 in Boise County, Donald Jandera received 430 votes in Elmore County and 178 in Boise County for the right to challenge Rich Wills this fall, and Rosemary Ardinger received 442 votes from Elmore County and 194 votes from Boise County for the right to challenge Pete Nielsen in the general election.

In the state non-partisan race for Supreme Court Justice, Elmore County voters cast 945 votes for incumbent Joel Horton, and 1,058 votes for challenger John Bradbury.