by Logan Finney, Idaho Reports

It was a good night for incumbent North Idaho lawmakers, other than Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle.

A majority of Republican voters in both Boundary and Bonner counties cast their ballots in favor of former Sen. Jim Woodward, all but sending him back to represent District 1 at the statehouse over nominal opposition from two independent candidates on the ballot in November.

Rep. Lori McCann, R-Lewiston, appears to have benefitted greatly from two conservative opponents in District 6 splitting the vote against her. McCann will pursue reelection this fall after earning a 43.6% plurality on Tuesday, just ahead of challenger Colton Bennett with 40.5% of the vote.

Like McCann, incumbent Rep. Mark Sauter of Sandpoint held his District 1 seat against two conservative challengers, barely missing a majority on Tuesday with 49.9% of the vote.

Both moderate House Republicans sit on the Education Committee, which will see a shakeup after chairwoman Rep. Julie Yamamoto of Caldwell lost her primary race on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Viola, held his position against another run from Robert Blair, confirming a conservative bent to Republican politics in Legislative District 6.

District 1 voters also nominated former Bonner County Commissioner and Idaho Republican Party insider Cornel Rasor to fill the seat held by retiring Rep. Sage Dixon, R-Ponderay.

In Kootenai County, conservatives Rep. Elaine Price and Sen. Carl Bjerke respectively earned a comfortable 60% and 77% of the vote against their moderate challengers.

District 7 nominated Kyle Harris, outgoing Rep. Mike Kingsley’s choice for his spot in the Idaho Freedom Caucus, but stuck with incumbent Rep. Charlie Shepherd over Freedom Caucus challenger Larry Dunn.