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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

Nonini Primary Mischief An Issue

Fourth-term state Rep. Bob Nonini is running for the Senate, but his actions in the primary -- pouring thousands into the campaigns of unsuccessful challengers to several sitting GOP lawmakers, including three senators -- could make him an unpopular arrival there. “I'm getting back-door support from moderate Republicans,” said his Democratic challenger, Kristy Reed Johnson. “Mr. Nonini has left the center of the party.” Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, says, “I'm going to have some bridge-building to do, I'm sure. And I'm confident that I can do that.” It's the hottest race in North Idaho's District 3, a heavily GOP legislative district that nevertheless has Democrats mounting challenges for all three seats. Johnson's husband, Ronald K. Johnson, is challenging Rep. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls; while fourth-time Democratic candidate David Larsen is up against GOP primary winner Ron Mendive for Nonini's old House seat/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise. More here.

Question: Which action by Nonini do you consider worse -- his primary support for Tea Party candidates in other districts or his unabashed support as House Education chairman in 2011 for the Luna Laws?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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