Facing direct threat to our democracy

April 18, 2022

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recently commented, "The greatest national security threat to the United States is the two-square-miles of the White House and the U.S. Capitol building." This comment was made in reference to the January 6, 2021, insurrection and some of the extremist elements currently camped out within the Republican Party.

It has long been said that "all politics is local," but the problems that exist nationally have been brought to our doorstep right here in Boundary County. We have elements right here that are a direct threat to the very institutions we endear.

The following list of endorsed candidates is provided because I know and trust where these candidates stand on the issues:

Federal		County
U.S. Senator	Mike Crapo	Assessor	Olivia Drake
U.S. Representative	No endorsement	Clerk	Glenda Poston
State		Commissioner District 2	Tim Bertling
Governor	Brad Little	Commissioner District 3	Dan Dinning
Lieutenant Governor	Scott Bedke	Coroner	Chad Workman
Secretary of State	Phil McGrane	Treasurer	Jennifer Economu
State Controller	Brandon Woolf
State Treasurer	Julie A. Ellsworth*	Precinct Committeeman
Attorney General	Lawrence Wasden	Bonners Ferry/Kootenai	No endorsement
Superintendent of Public Instruction	Debbie Critchfield	Moyie Springs	Caleb Davis
State Senator District 1	Jim Woodward	Naples	Dave Wenk
State Representative District 1, Position A	Mark Sauter	North Bonners Ferry	Lester Pinkerton
State Representative District 1, Position A	Sage Dixon	Valley View	Sue Larson

Judicial votes are affirmation votes for current judges, or a successor for a retiring judge. I do not recommend an affirmation for Judge Barbara Buchanan.

* Be advised that Julie A. Ellsworth's opponent in the November General Election will be Jill L. Ellsworth (D). Take note of this now, as it may be confusing for you in November.

The above list are "safe" votes for traditional, mainstream republicans. Since there are so many new names on the ballot this year, I feel compelled to share the above recommendations. Feel free to take an iPhone image of this list, or print off a copy to use when you vote.

Thank you for making your voice heard.