Spickelmire, Kleeburg and Klein win Lewiston seats
Nov. 8—Two incumbents and a newcomer won Lewiston's city council race Tuesday.
John Spickelmire and Jim Kleeburg will continue to serve on the city council.
Jessica Klein won elected office for her first time and will fill Councilor Rick Tousley's seat. He didn't seek reelection.
The three were selected for four-year terms in an election where 3,350, or 19%, of Lewiston's 17,633 registered voters cast ballots.
Spickelmire, 62, a retired federal aviation administration district manager and disabled veteran, had 1,784 ballots cast for him. Kleeburg, 65, a contractor salesman at Early Bird Supply, received 1,668 votes.
A total of 1,625 voters picked Klein, 35. She is a self-employed property owner and landlord.
Spickelmire was appointed to city council last year after Luke Blount resigned.
"I would like to thank everyone that believed in me," Spickelmire said in a text message to the Tribune. "I will do my very best to uphold your trust."
Kleeburg has served on city council since 2021, and previously served 12 years on the city council, which included four years as Lewiston's mayor.
He was one of six city councilors elected when voters backed the city switching from a city manager to a strong mayor form of government.
"I appreciate the support of the citizens of Lewiston and will do my best to make them proud," Kleeburg said in a text to the Tribune.
A political newcomer, Klein distinguished herself by declining to fill out a survey the Nez Perce County Republican Party sent candidates in the nonpartisan race.
"I appreciate everyone's support," she said in a text to the Tribune. "I hope to live up to everyone's expectations. I'll do my best to help turn this city around and help to be a voice for the citizens."
The other candidates were Maureen Anderson, 53, an employee of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho, who collected 1,272 votes; Darlene Lambert, 45, a journalist and reporter for Big Country News, 840 votes; David Funke, 43, an information technology field technician and retail merchandiser, 829 votes; Rick Eldridge, 58, a retired commercial fisherman and heavy equipment operator, 771 votes; and Brennon Leafty, 20, a self-employed, freelance graphic designer, 394 votes.
In another Nez Perce County election, the Eagle Pointe Water and Sewer District was formed, shifting the water infrastructure of the subdivision east of Lewiston from private to public ownership. A total of 65 voters backed the measure and two opposed it.
Voters chose Brent Gifford, Douglas Lillie, Darren Stuck, Loren Sutton and Robert Hand to serve on the district's board of directors.
Williams may be contacted at ewilliam@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2261.
