Author: Mike Weland

I lifted this title of N-words from the disgraced former vice-president who served with Richard Nixon. Just last Tuesday, I attended a meet-and-greet event at the Boundary County Fairgrounds for […]

by Timothy Braatz Do you want greater democracy or less democracy? When an elected legislature votes on a bill, that’s “representative democracy.” But does that legislature actually represent the interests […]

With three excellent letters supporting Mark it is a bit difficult to find much more to say about his attributes. Jeff Hood obviously knows much more than I about Mark’ […]

North Idaho Voter Services (NIVS) supports Proposition One. Voting for Prop One will help restore sanity to our struggling political system. Idaho’s current system of closed primary elections began with […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater It is telling that the loudest voices against Prop 1 are those who hold office because of the closed Republican primary in Idaho. Federal and […]

Opponents of Proposition 1 claim it will create a “jungle” primary. Sorry, folks … but we have a jungle primary system now. Both the Democratic and Republican Party(s) have been […]

By Mike Weland Oh, how I’d love to see a return to the halcyon days of American politics when most who sought or held office of public trust recognized that […]

Kathryn Larson’s campaign postcard says it best: “You deserve to be represented.” As many of you already know, Larson is running for District 1 state representative, and hopes to represent […]

By Georgia Earley For as long as I can remember, the economy has been a top voter issue and especially this election year. Since the middle of 2020 we’ve all […]

Regarding your article published October 7, “Commissioners to hear Panhandle Door and Drawer appeal,” the zoning dispute between Panhandle Door Inc. and adjacent neighbors is just that, a zoning dispute, […]

On May 21, I was one of over 7,000 District 1 Republicans who voted for Chuck Lowman for State Representative. Lowman carried Boundary County with just over 53-percent of the […]

I am voting for Mark Sauter for Legislative District 1 Representative 1A. Mark is one of the best legislators ever elected to serve North Idaho. He listens to his constituents, […]

Education is the backbone of our community. Mark Sauter has been consistent in his support of our public schools throughout his service as our District 1 Representative. He has supported […]

Mark Sauter’s record of getting things done for North Idaho needs to continue. In 2024 he voted for six Idaho agriculture related bills that were signed into law. He co-sponsored […]

Has Bonner County Republican Central Committee (BCRCC) Chairman Scott Herndon defected from his own party? Herndon, a newcomer to Idaho politics, first registered to vote in Idaho just eight years […]

A lot of signs are popping up proclaiming “Rigged Choice Voting” and urging voters to vote “no” on Proposition 1. Which election system is “rigged?” Is it “Open Primaries with […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Bryan Smith, an ultra-right Republican and vice chair of the extremist Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF), understands that the Open Primaries Initiative (OPI) will break the […]

Last fall, late-night commentator/entertainer John Oliver mocked Idaho Legislator Mark Sauter for stating in an interview that he only recently had become aware of the pain surrounding issues about abortions. […]

I would like to take a moment and thank all those who make voting in Boundary County a pleasure. From easy to read information, courtesy, notifications and signage it would […]

I hope Boundary and Bonner County residents will join me in voting for Mark Sauter as our District 1 House Legislator. Over the past two years, Mark has demonstrated that […]

We need a new school. The time is now, no more “someday,” no more dreams. It is time for the reality of a new school. This building is cold, with […]

I endorse Steve Johnson for Bonner County Commissioner. Steve’s lifelong ties to our county and his dedication to local values are evident in his campaign promises. He pledges to uphold […]

For months now, Karen Matthee has addressed the loss of our doctors in Idaho. She will do something about it and that’s why I’m voting for her on November 5. […]

Let’s give credit where credit is due Let’s be clear. It was the Democrats in the Idaho Statehouse, and in particular Senator Melissa Wintrow, who deserve credit for working for […]

Representative Mark Sauter is effective and experienced. These qualities make him the best choice to represent the interests and values of District 1. During the 2024 session, Representative Sauter distinguished […]

By Mike Weland My last opinion piece, “Make America Great Again? No, let’s make her ever more perfect,” in which I call former president Donald J. Trump a liar, elicited […]

I was introduced to Mark while he was helping to procure the Bon-Fire Project grant money to better prepare and protect the lives and property of our Mountain Pine Shores […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater America has always prided itself on being a bastion of democracy, where all political power emanates from the people, all of whom were “created equal.” […]

Ranked Choice Voting and Open Primaries are on the ballot in fives states and Washington, D.C. this fall. In Idaho, Proposition 1 gives all voters the opportunity to vote in […]

On any given week, my husband and I are working five or six jobs between us to support our family. We get by, and the kids are happy, but we […]

I wish people could see the inside of our school before the teachers come in and cover the cracks. But you never will, because Valley View teachers make their rooms […]

When Benjamin Franklin exited Independence Hall in 1787, he was asked, ‘What do we have, a republic or a monarchy?’ Franklin replied, ‘A republic, if you can keep it.’ A […]

By Mike Weland Most people I know will not long tolerate a liar, yet there are millions today who rally to protect and defend the greatest and most brazen liar […]

By Jim Jordan JJ Commontater The opponents of Proposition 1, the Open Primaries Initiative, have been making uninformed claims about this game-changing voting reform. Dorothy Moon, the head of the […]

Wouldn’t it be great to have political campaigns where all parties and all candidates discussed issues and solutions –rather than indulge in name-calling and mud-slinging? Currently, there’s a debate over […]

A vote to re-elect Mark Sauter as Representative for District 1 House Seat A will support women’s health and access to health care services in rural Idaho. He is driven […]

I’m a proud Democrat. I have lived in Idaho for over 50 years and in Bonner County for the past 38 years. Democrats live here and have for generations. We […]

In the coming election I will be proud to cast my vote for Kathryn Larson for Idaho State Representative from District 1B. Kathryn is intelligent, thoughtful, positive and energetic. She […]

f you’ve never been in Valley View or Mt. Hall, you should go on their scheduled tours. They are 70-plus year old buildings that were built with used cement blocks […]

Heaven help us if there are too many people in our country like you. What a rambling opinion of a man I for one of many consider a savior of our country from the communist left. ~ Marsha Travis — While I do respect your and other’s right to your own opinion, it pains me that so many are so scared that they choose to believe the lies of a conman. ~ Mike Weland

Remember when 8,219 North Idahoans voted Scott Herndon out of office in the May Primary? Fifty-two percent of District 1 voters sent a message to Mr. Herndon that he was […]

By Mike Weland I am a proud never-Trumper who’s spent the past decade shouting warning that our 45th president was  and is a menace, a clear and present danger to […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater The extremist branch of the Idaho Republican Party is in an absolute panic about the Open Primaries Initiative (OPI), which will give every Idaho voter […]

Isn’t it about time Idahoans have a more equitable, a more transparent way to vote? Isn’t it about time all Idahoans regardless of their political affiliation have the opportunity to […]

I have been working with Karen Matthee, candidate for Representative running against Mark Sauter, for 10 months now. She inspires me everyday with her drive to help make lives better […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Republicans for Open Primaries formed in 2023 to reform Idaho’s election system. It does so by eliminating closed party primary elections, allowing every voter to […]

By Lauren Necochea Idaho Democratic Party Chair When it comes to politics, character matters. It’s not about style; it’s about values like integrity, honesty, empathy, and respect. Character is what […]

I encourage you to vote for Karen Matthee for Legislative District 1 House Seat A. Karen is a good listener and through her experience as a journalist knows the necessity […]

Karen Matthee puts her values into action. One example is the July 1, 2024, library rally that she organized to call attention to HB 710. This law states that school […]

By Gregory Graf Political Potatoes Dorothy Moon, chairwoman of the new Idaho Republican Party, recently called anyone supporting Proposition 1 her “mortal enemy.” To make her point, she’s put up […]

I hear Boundary County residents complain that we get left out of important events. Not so when it comes to Idaho House of Representatives candidate Kathryn Larson. She has reached […]

Boise is trying to close our local Department of Motor Vehicles office by making it cheaper to make your transactions online or by mail. If you walk in, you are […]

Opinion By Mike Weland That there could be people who, having purportedly watched the same ABC presidential debate broadcast last night as I did, still abide the delusion that Donald […]

By Idaho Representative  Steve Berch I’ve knocked on nearly 40,000 doors and spoke with tens of thousands of people from across the political spectrum in my district. This experience has […]

Lauren Necochea Idaho Democratic Party Chair Democracy works best when elected leaders represent our values and prioritize the needs of our communities, not the interests of out-of-state lobbyists and dark […]

By Jim Jones JJ CommonTater With the political season upon us, extreme-right dark money interests are gearing up to elect legislative candidates who will sing their tune in the Idaho […]

I am an Army Veteran. I joined a group called Veterans for Idaho Voters which is a cross-partisan and independent group of Veterans who believe in fair elections, citizen involvement, […]

By Publisher Mike Weland The right-wing rhetoric has ramped up since Kamala Harris took the baton from Joe Biden to make the final sprint to the finish line, not just […]

Karen Matthee is not afraid to let voters know where she stands on key issues. And she makes clear she supports Proposition 1, the ballot initiative that would create open […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater You have to hand it to Attorney General Raul Labrador. He can’t be shamed out of pursuing a foolish course of action. Just days after […]

By Idaho Representative Steve Berch The majority party locally and nationally often uses the slogan: “Faith Family Freedom.” Those are great values. They aren’t partisan values – they are American […]

This Will WRECK Idaho Prop1 is THAT bad. Here’s why … By Idaho Senator and Freedom Caucus Member Brian Lenney Nampa Idaho is under attack by out-of-state, progressive elites who […]

By Jim Jones JJ Common Tater Political fearmonger Greg Pruett has been trying to scare voters away from the Open Primaries Initiative (OPI) with the preposterous claim that it will […]