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Idaho House of Representatives

Berglund emerges victorious; will face Jordan next

Christ Church connection may have been enough to ensure primary win

By Josh Babcock, Daily News staff writer

Republican Carl Berglund defeated William “Bill” Goesling in Tuesday’s primary — despite not winning in Latah County — and will now turn his attention toward unseating Democrat incumbent Paulette Jordan, who has represented District 5A in the Idaho House of Representatives since winning her seat in 2014.

Berglund’s night may have gone quite differently if it weren’t for his ties to Christ Church.

“I’m absolutely convinced it did,” Berglund said. “It sounds like a lot of people from church got out and voted.”

Prior to the election, Christ Church Pastor Douglas Wilson posted a blog entry on Sunday and called for members of his church to support Berglund.

“. . . a pastor is also a private citizen. In that capacity, I can certainly tell you what I think. And because this blog is not paid for or hosted by Christ Church, I am at liberty to do so,” he wrote. “This coming Tuesday (May 17), we have a primary election here in Idaho. I would like to encourage everyone who lives in this district (who can vote in the Republican primary) to make a point of voting for my friend Carl Berglund. This kind of vote at the local level will become increasingly important as we consider the ever-lengthening clown car parade at the national levels.”

Berglund won by a margin of just less than 200 votes and received 53.4 percent of the vote districtwide. Goesling trailed with 46.6 percent.

Goesling took Latah County by 90 votes, with 51.9 percent casting their ballots in his direction. However, Berglund won Benewah County by 285 votes and with 74.8 percent of voters supporting his candidacy.

Berglund failed to gain much support in the rural areas of Latah County, but he made up for that in Moscow, where he won in 11 of the city’s 18 precincts. Citywide, Berglund received 541 votes, a 123-vote advantage over Goesling.

He said his advantage in Moscow likely came from his involvement with Christ Church and making contacts through his home construction work in the town.

Berglund’s affiliation with Christ Church may have paid dividends in Moscow but it did little to help him in the rural areas of Latah County. Goesling dominated the county’s small towns and rural areas and received just less than 58 percent of the vote — a 213-vote advantage — in those areas.

Berglund said his overwhelming support in Benewah County is likely because his message of taking control of federal lands and expanding forestry, agriculture and mining operations resonates well among rural voters.

“I’d like to see our saw mills coming back to life,” Berglund said. “And stop buying Canadian lumber and start buying our own.”

He also said Idaho taking ownership of federal lands would help create jobs and keep the state’s university graduates from searching for work elsewhere.

He also said his involvement working in Singapore on deep water drilling projects with people from many different cultural backgrounds will help prepare him for the Idaho Legislature, which struggles to get anything done with constant blue and red party disagreements.

“I’m one of the best people at getting people to work together that I know,” Berglund said.

Latah County sheriff
Richard “Richie” Skiles defeated fellow Republicans Dan Foreman and Brian Strampher by receiving 52.7 percent of the vote. In November, Skiles will face Democrat Barry Johnson, who defeated Nathan Reetz by receiving 63.8 percent of the vote.

Troy School District levy
Voters in the Troy School District overwhelmingly approved the district’s $995,000 supplemental levy request Tuesday night, with nearly 73 percent voting in support.

Josh Babcock can be reached at (208) 883-4630, or by email to jbabcock at dnews.com.

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