Lewiston and Clarkston: A Tale of Two Elections

Lewiston's recent local elections were a mix of surprises and predictability. Despite dull campaigns with minimal advertising and door-to-door activity, voter turnout was surprisingly high at 34%. This was a significant jump from the 18. 93% turnout in 2023, though still below the 42. 9% seen in 2021 during a major change in city governance. Incumbents dominated the polls, with Mayor Dan Johnson securing a second term with 63. 24% of the vote. City councilors Kassee Forsmann and Matthew Wright also won, along with newcomer Bryan Moree. All four supported a $22. 5 million bond for updating downtown infrastructure, but voters rejected it. The bond failed by nearly 700 votes, a wider margin than a similar proposal in May. Interestingly, support for the bond was stronger in neighborhoods directly affected by the project, but faded in the Orchards area. Voters seemed to trust the incumbents to manage the city but not to handle the bond's financial implications without raising property taxes. Meanwhile, in Clarkston, a small town of 7, 300 people, voters broke a long-standing trend by rejecting an emergency medical services levy. The levy, which had previously passed with over 65% support, failed this time by a margin of 58% to 42%. The proposed levy aimed to increase EMS staff salaries to compete with neighboring communities, but the significant increase in the levy rate and updated home assessments led to sticker shock. The owner of a $300, 000 home would have seen their EMS tax bill rise from $451 to $793, a 76% increase. Opposition from prominent businessman and Asotin County Commissioner Brian Shinn also played a role in the levy's defeat. Now, Clarkston faces tough decisions about the future of its EMS services. Options include using reserve funds to prop up the service, laying off staff, or exploring regional cooperative arrangements.