Voters choose the next members of the College of Western Idaho

Incumbents led the way in Tuesday’s election for the Western Idaho College Media Board.

In Region 1, Nicole A. Bradshaw won 67.4% of the vote, leading her opponent Alisha Hickman with 32.6% of the vote. In Region 2, incumbent Molly Lenti led with 58.1% of the vote over challengers Gordon Simpson and Ryan Spoon. In District 3, incumbent Jim Reams led with nearly 57% of the vote over challenger Ian Allan Zarr, and in District 4, Annie Pelletier Hightower led with 69.3% of the vote over Ted Butterworth.

Nine candidates vied for the four seats up for election on the five-member council. Zone 1 and 3 positions are two-year terms and Zone 2 and 4 positions are four-year terms. Candidates must live in the district in which they are running, but all trustees are elected by voters in Ada and Canyon counties.

The Board of Trustees at Idaho Western College is responsible for approving academic offerings, the annual budget, and investment plans.

Four of the candidates—Hickman, Spoon, Zarr, and Butterworth—ran as Republicans on similar platforms, which included cutting public school spending and lowering property taxes.

Other candidates said they want to expand access to affordable education opportunities and ensure they give students the tools they need to enter the workforce.

This story was originally published November 8, 2022, at 20:00.