A sudden dearth of Democrats

Bonnercountydailybee.com ^ | 4/28/22 | Anita Perry

[cotton1706]

Your eyes are not deceiving you - the Bonner County Primary ballot looks like an all-Republican contest. From county to Congress, all candidates sport the “R” label, with the exception of one diehard Democrat. Give the man credit for honesty; at least he’s not hiding in the RINO ranks.

Before 2011, when the Idaho GOP closed its Primary to all but Republican voters, rampant Democrat cross-over voting for the most liberal Republican on the ballot influenced election outcomes. Since then, a lot of shape-shifting has created a sudden dearth of Democrats. They began a new life as RINOs, both as voters and candidates. The voter rolls tell the story, but here are a few examples of some local elected officials whose names you may recognize:

• Former LPOSD trustee Mindy Cameron - as early as 2012, in a letter to the editor urged Democrats to register as Republicans “to keep our leaders in the state legislature”. (Those were “Republicans” Keough, Eskridge and Anderson.)

• Former Democrat Sandpoint mayor Carrie Logan - published a letter in 2016 urging a vote for Keough. Logan is now a Republican.

• Former Bonner County Democratic Party Chair Ken Meyers - now a Republican.

• Former Bonner County Democratic Party Chair Sylvia Humes – now a Republican.

• Mayor Shelby Rognstad – “Republican” until he switched to Democrat to run for governor this year.

To avoid giving RINOs your vote in this election, consult the detailed voter guide on the website of the Bonner County Republican Central Committee.

[JJBookman]

RINOs know which way the wind bloweths but there sure aren’t any new-blood Dems coming up (let’s hope)?

[LouAvul]

I know some freepers applaud this, but then again, some freepers like to smoke dope, too.

I hate it when RATs infiltrate the Repugnant Party under the guise of being a "neocon."

That's part of our problem, viz. too many RINOs already.

[griswold3]

My concern is Dems campaigning on Republican issues. Tim Ryan-D (OH) wants to put “America first” He’s as progressive as they come

[mewzilla]

This is why conservatives need to find and run MAGA-red Donald Dem DINOs to run in ‘Rat primaries.

Until then we’re fighting half a battle.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Thanks for posting this. Is the same thing happening in the other panhandle counties?

[palmer]

but then again, some freepers like to smoke dope, too.

Even though I disagree with Rand Paul on legalization of everything, I support decriminalization and don't think Rand Paul is any kind of RINO. In any case, legalization is part of an effort to reduce the power of government particularly federal.

[LouAvul]

Here's your "decriminalization." Wake up and grow up. It's a narcotic and is addictive.

[far sider]

Dearth. Take out the r.

[Lurkinanloomin]

Both of Idaho’s Senators are Assistant Democrats.

[CMailBag]

There are an abundance of lifetime Commie/Crat judges to cover for the temporary dearth of Democrats.

[RatRipper]

I agree. Ads need to clearly ID them as former Rats and recent converts to the GOP