Limited races in local elections

Pete Nielsen's state representative seat from District 23 and both county commissioner positions will see challenges on the GOP ballot in the May 20 primary election.

At least one county office will definitely change hands, as long-time Treasurer Rose Plympton has decided to retire from public life.

The filing deadline for the primary election candidates was last Friday. Independent candidates can wait until later this year to file for the November general election.

Only two Democrats filed for local races in the primary election.

Nielsen will again face a challenge from Steve Millington of Buhl for District 23 legislative Seat B in the primary election. The two squared off in a closely contested election two years ago in the primary.

The winner of that race will face "Spike" R. L. Ericson of Oasis, who is running as a Democrat.

District 23 is composed of Elmore County and large parts of Owyhee and Twin Falls counties.

For Seat A from District 23, incumbent Rich Wills is unopposed in the primary, but will face off against Democrat Mary Ann Richards of Homedale in the fall election.

Incumbent District 23 state senator Bert Brackett is unopposed on either ballot.

At the county level, incumbent District 1 county commissioner Bud Corbus will be challenged in the Republican primary May 20 by Courtney Ireland. Both are from Mountain Home.

District 2 commissioner's race is even more crowded, with three candidates running in the primary. Incumbent Wes Wootan of Glenns Ferry is being challenged by Doug King of King Hill and Robbin Ellis of Hammett.

There are no challengers for the remaining county offices up for election, all held by Republicans, but Plympton is being replaced on the GOP ballot for treasurer by her chief deputy and 18-year veteran of the department, Amber Sloan.

Barbara Steele will seek another term as county clerk, Ron Fisher is unchallenged to repeat as county assessor, and Jerry Rost is unopposed to return as the county coroner.

For Plympton, who will join her husband in retirement, stepping down at the end of this year as county treasurer will be a bittersweet moment.

"I have truly loved what I do here. It fit my personality and my skill set" said the woman who had worked at a bank before taking on the challenge of handling the county's finances.

"It's best to get out while people still like you," she laughed.

Plympton noted that the county "is in good shape and has some good leadership."

She also backed Sloan's candidacy, noting that Sloan has worked in virtually every aspect of the treasurer's office over the last 18 years. "She's ready for the job."

Last Friday was the final day for voters currently registered to a particular party to change party affiliation (or adopt an affiliation) or become "unaffiliated" by filing a signed form with the county clerk.

A statement of affiliation is required in the May 20 primary for Republican voters. Under party rules, only declared Republicans are allowed to vote on the Republican primary ballot.

Democrats do not have such a restriction on their primary ballot.

Declaration of intentions to file as a write-in candidate in any county, state or federal election is April 22.

In addition to the major races in the county, voters also will cast ballots for county precinct committee positions for both parties.

Of the 18 precincts in Elmore County, five Democrats are running unopposed for election, leaving 13 precinct committee positions open.

On the Republican side, all 18 seats have candidates and ten of those are contested.

The contested GOP precincts are:

Atlanta -- Judith Lords versus Ronald Sherer.

Glenns Ferry-- Dewey Crane versus Monty White.

Hammett -- Megan Blanksma versus Christy Zito.

King Hill -- John Walker versus April Wootan.

Mountain Home No. 2 -- John Barrutia versus Mark Bryant.

Mountain Home No. 4 -- Jace Prow versus Geoff Schroeder.

Mountain Home No. 6 -- Lawrence Heinen versus Rich Sykes.

Mountain Home No. 7 -- Larry Jewett versus Arlie Shaw.

Mountain Home No. 8 -- Tim Corder Sr. versus Barry Peterson.

Mountain Home No. 9 -- Bud Corbus versus Christopher Pentico.