GOP incumbents across state hold off challenges from the right in primary
Votes still are being tallied, but all three District 1 GOP incumbents appear to have easily held off challenges from tea party candidates. Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, had 70 percent of the vote over GOP challenger Danielle Ahrens, with 41 percent reporting. Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover, had 66 percent over Pam Stout, and Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake, garnered 61 percent of the vote in early returns while holding off two primary challengers. They were among a number of GOP lawmakers across the state who faced challenges from the right in the primary and turned them back. Among them: Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston, who defeated Maurice Clements 60-40; Rep. Christy Perry, R-Nampa, who carried 51 percent of the vote and defeated three challengers; Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, who defeated challenger Douglas Pickett 57 percent to 43 percent; and House Majority Caucus Chair Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly, who defeated two challengers.
Still unknown: Kootenai County. More than two and a half hours after the polls closed there, Kootenai hasn't reported out results from a single precinct.