Benton E. "Ben" Wolfinger
A candidate for Kootenai County Sheriff, Kootenai County in the 2016 Idaho General Election, Nov. 8
Party: Republican
Age: 63
City: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Occupation: Sheriff, Kootenai County
Education background: Earned associate of science degree in law enforcement from North Idaho College, and advanced and management certificates from the Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy.
Political background: Elected sheriff in 2012. Served as Coeur d’Alene City Councilman from December 2000 to January 2006. Served on the Governor’s Traffic Safety Commission for about 15 years.
Work experience: Wolfinger was hired as a deputy in 1983, at age 21, and has worked in or managed all aspects of the sheriff’s department since then. He has worked as a North Idaho College Law Enforcement Program Instructor and is past chairman of the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.
Family: Married. Has two sons.
Contact information
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Benton E. “Ben” Wolfinger (R) | 52,407 | 81.16% |
| Tina Kunishige (D) | 12,169 | 18.84% |
Related Coverage
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Coeur d’Alene Deputy City Administrator Sam Taylor was thinking dark thoughts about his Honda Civic after he got stuck in an unplowed Post Falls street just out of his driveway Monday. But he had no such thoughts for his boss, Coeur d’Alene City Administrator Jim Hammond, who dropped everything to pick up his snowbound assistant and bring him to work.
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Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger appeared poised to win re-election Tuesday as he jumped to a big lead in early results over challenger Tina Kunishige of Coeur d’Alene. Wolfinger had 79 percent of the vote in the first returns released late Tuesday night.
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In the Monday poll, a plurality of Hucks Nation said they celebrated the annual Halloween observance by handing out candy. Today’s Poll: Who do you support for Kootenai County sheriff — Democrat Tina Kunishige or Republican Ben Wolfinger?
Kunishige tries to persuade voters
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