State Representative, Pos. A
Election Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Ron Mendive (R) | 11,846 | 67.89% |
| David Larsen (D) | 5,602 | 32.11% |
* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.
About The Race
This seat, formerly held by four-term GOP Rep. Bob Nonini, is up for grabs this year, and there’s a stark contrast between the two candidates vying for it.
Republican Ron Mendive says, “I think the time has come for states to stand up for states’ rights.” Mendive sees “a plan to lock people out of the woods and lock the resources in” in local Forest Service land management planning, among other threats.
Democratic candidate David Larsen calls himself a “radical moderate,” and makes education and compromise his top issues. “While good ideas come from both sides of the aisle, we need to recognize that the middle connects the two sides,” he said.
Idaho legislators are paid $16,116 per year.
The Candidates
Ron Mendive
- Party:
- Republican
- City:
- Post Falls, Idaho
Education: Graduated from Kellogg High School in 1969. Attended North Idaho College.
Work experience: Retired. Worked for 20 years as a self-employed contractor in house construction.
Political Experience: Has held is his District 3 state House seat since winning election in 2012.
Family: Married to Sherlene Mendive. Has three children.
Complete Coverage
Idaho lawmaker equates abortion rights to prostitution
BOISE – A lawmaker from North Idaho drew audible gasps Wednesday morning when he asked representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho if their pro-abortion-rights stance also means they support prostitution. Rep. Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d’Alene, made the comparison during a legislative breakfast presentation held by the ACLU.
Idaho lawmaker compares abortion to prostitution
A lawmaker from North Idaho drew audible gasps when he asked representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union-Idaho if their pro-abortion rights stance also means that they support prostitution.
Idaho’s District 3 drawing challenges in GOP
For the last two elections, one North Idaho legislative district saw few contested races, as popular incumbents were repeatedly re-elected. This year is different, with fourth-term Republican Rep. Frank Henderson facing a challenge in the May 15 primary, and two newcomers facing off for the open seat that Rep. Bob Nonini is leaving to run for the state Senate. “Had I not run … we would have given an incumbent his third straight term without opposition, and I find that to be un-American,” said Jack Schroeder, 73, Henderson’s primary challenger. “At least they know there’s another alternative, and there’s another person who’s willing to go out there and fight for what he thinks is right, just like Frank has done for all these years.”