Confusion Over Picking Assessor May Prompt Law

The confusion and controversy that has erupted over the recent appointment of a Kootenai County assessor may prompt legislation to clear the political haze.

Sen. Gordon Crow, R-Hayden, said he plans to introduce a bill this week to clarify how elected officials in Idaho can change party affiliation.

Former assessor Tom Moore, who died Nov. 12 of lung cancer, was elected four times as a Democrat, but switched to the GOP shortly before his death.

The vagueness of Idaho’s law related to party affiliation sparked a political firestorm with both the Republican and Democratic parties claiming ownership of the assessor’s office.

While new assessor G. Ray Lee calls himself a Democrat, members of that party say it was up to them, not the GOP, to select Moore’s replacement. County Democrats sued commissioners last month.

Crow said his legislation will imply that the person elected into office “owns” that office, not the political party he or she belongs to when they file for candidacy.

“Idahoans vote for individual candidates, not political parties,” Crow said.