Commissioners races among few contested locally

One incumbent and three challengers continue to campaign for two seats on the Elmore County Commissioners in the final weeks before the Nov. 2 election.

The following is a brief synopsis of each candidate. For the full story, pick up a copy of the Mountain Home News or click on this link to subscribe to the newspaper's online edition.

Connie Cruser (D) -- District 3

Connie Cruser is seeking her third term for the District 3 county commissioner's post.

Under the staggered system for commissioners, this term will be for two years. A Democrat, she will face challenger Al Hofer, a Republican, in the Nov. 2 general election.

"There are more things to do," she said, noting that "if you do it right, this isn't a one-day-a-week job. It's a full-time job."

She believes one of the greatest accomplishments of the commissioners during her tenure in office has been to shift the ambulance service back to county-level control and contract with the hospital for the service, a move she believes has greatly improved the quality of service to the citizens of the county.

Al Hofer (R) -- District 3

Republican Al Hofer is challenging incumbent Democrat Connie Cruser for the District 3 county commissioner's seat in the Nov. 2 election.

It's his first time seeking public office, and while he says that he has "nothing bad to say about any of the commissioners," he believes that he is "younger, and more aggressive," attributes he thinks would serve the county well.

He believes the county commissioners need new blood. "It's just one of those things where you can sit on a couch and cry or you can do something."

Doug King (I) -- District 2

Doug King, 54, of King Hill, is trying for a third time to earn a seat as a county commissioner representing District 2.

The position would be for a four-year term.

This time, King is running as an independent against Republican Wes Wootan, who upset incumbent Larry Rose in the primary election. King, who had run in the past as a Republican, said he elected to seek office as an independent this year in order to bypass the primary and "make sure I was on the ballot in November."

Wes Wootan (R) -- District 2

Wes Wootan of Glenns Ferry is running on the Republican ticket for the four-year term as the District 2 county commissioner.

Wootan defeated long-time incumbent Larry Rose in the GOP primary this spring and faces a challenge from independent Doug King on Nov. 2.

Wootan said one of the greatest strengths he will bring to the job is his ability to make decisions. "It could be right today, and wrong tomorrow, in which case you have to have the ability to change your mind," he said. "But you have to be able to decide. You can't drag things out and leave people hanging."