Dozens intend to run for local, state offices

Dozens of individuals from across Elmore County announced their intentions to run for public office in time for the upcoming primary races.

During the May 15 election, voters will select their preferred candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in addition to nominating their preferred representatives for the state legislature.

In addition, seven Republicans and two Democrats announced their candidacies in hopes of winning one of two available seats on the Elmore County Board of Commissioners. Meanwhile, Elmore County Sheriff Rick Layher and Elmore County Prosecutor Tina Schindele will run unopposed to continue their terms of service.

In the upcoming race for the U.S. House of Representatives, incumbent Mike Simpson will face a challenge from M.C. "Chick" Heileson for the Republican nomination for District 2. In addition, Jack W. Chappell, Nicole LeFevour and Eldon Wallace will compete to win the Democratic nomination. The winner from both parties during the May 15 primary will face off during the November general election.

Meanwhile, recent changes to the state's legislative redistricting map will pit two, long-time state senators against one other during the May primary. Bert Brackett will face Tim Corder for the Republican nomination for District 23 with no Democrats filing to contest the Senate seat.

The May primary will mark the first time that a portion of Twin Falls County will join Elmore and Owyhee counties as part of the new District 23. The change comes as the state's redistricting committee changed the boundaries after a state supreme court challenge led to changes on the previously approved redistricting map.

Ten years ago, Elmore and Boise counties were combined into District 22 following the 2000 Census, even though there was no paved road directly linking the two disparate counties together.

In the race for the state legislature, Republican Rich Wills remains unopposed for District 23's Representative Position A. However, four people are vying for the district's Representative Position B position.

Newcomer Pam Chiarella is expected to earn the Democratic nomination during the May primary with Matthew Bundy and Steven Millington vying for the post currently filled by incumbent Republican Pete Nielsen. Chiarella will face the winner of that Republican race during the November general election.

In the local political races, Michael J. Crawford will face incumbent Albert Hofer for the county commissioner District 3 position.

However, the race to fill the seat being vacated by outgoing county commissioner Arlie Shaw will see six people vying for the District 1 slot. Brandon Beckham will run opposed for the Democratic nomination in May with R. Daniel "Dan" Collins, Franklin "Bud" Corbus, Courtney C. Ireland, Ron Monasterio and Nick Nettleton seeking to become the Republican candidate for that seat.

In other election news, three individuals announced their intentions to run for committeeman positions in three of Mountain Home's Democratic precincts -- the first time in six years these seats will be filled. Brandon Beckham, Aaron F. Thomas and Krisann M. Gatlin are expected to fill the voids in Mountain Home's sixth, seventh and eighth precincts to represent their party in these sections of the community.

In the Glenns Ferry Republican precinct, Monty R. White will face Kimra Wills-Burger. Meanwhile, Republicans Jace Prow and Geoff Schroeder will vie for Mountain Home's 4th precinct with Courtney C. Ireland and Jim Martin seeking to lead Mountain Home's fifth precinct.

During the May primary, voters will also cast ballots on non-partisan candidates. They include state Supreme Court Justice Dan Eismann and appellate court judges David Gratton and John M. Melanson.

Meanwhile, voters in selected districts here will also debate whether to approve two proposed levies.

The first calls for, in essence, extending the Mountain Home School District's current supplemental levy. The current $2.8 million levy is due to expire this summer with the new $2.7 million levy requesting fewer dollars from local residents.

In addition, voters are asked to consider a request from the Elmore Medical Center Hospital District regarding a proposed agreement between Elmore Medical Center and St. Luke's Regional Medical Center. If approved, the agreement would transfer the local medical center's assets to a new nonprofit corporation, which would operate the hospital and provide health services to the community.