Hart shows Rawls no mercy

Posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - 12:03:19 am PDT
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By TOM GREENE
Staff writer 

COEUR d'ALENE -- Incumbent Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, handily beat challenger David Rawls in the primary Tuesday, essentially ensuring him of Seat B for District 3.

"I think District 3 is a conservative district and I've been representing the views of the people," said Hart, who has no Democratic challenger.

Hart won with 2,714 votes to Rawls' 1,157 votes. Hart had 70.11 percent of the vote to Rawls' 29.89 percent of the vote.

Hart said he was criticized during the race for regularly casting a "No" vote in the Legislature, but said he would rather make sure the bill "makes sense" before giving it his stamp of approval.

"I vote no a lot, but I think my district appreciates that. Sometimes legislation isn't ready. You can have a good idea, but the bill isn't ready," Hart said.

Hart raised $15,261 total, according to his latest sunshine report, spending $13,867 of that.

Rawls, of Hayden Lake, raised $14,073 total, according to his latest sunshine report, spending $11,256 of that.

"Ninety-one people contributed to my campaign in a financial way and it was empowering that people expressed their confidence in me that way," Rawls said. "I learned along the way just how hard it is to compete in politics."

Rawls retired six years ago as superintendent of Coeur d'Alene schools. When he retired, the district had more than 1,000 employees and a $70 million budget.

This was his first foray into politics.

"He ran a strong campaign and the voters made their decision," Rawls said.

Hart, of Athol, has a civil engineering undergraduate degree from the University of Utah and an MBA degree from the Wharton School of Business. He owns Alpine Engineering.

Last legislative session, Hart carried a bill prohibiting the Idaho Transportation Department from implementing the REAL ID act, which mandates federal minimum standards for state-issued drivers licenses and ID cards.

Hart currently serves on the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee, the Revenue and Taxation Committee and as vice-chair of the Transportation and Defense Committee.

He said his supporters made more than 1,000 phone calls in the last two days, which helped put him over the top.

"I appreciate the folks supporting me the day after Memorial Day," Hart said. "I guess our people got out to the polls."