Debra Henderson for Boundary County Commissioner District 2

05/21/2026

Sorry it took me so long ❤️

Well friends… while Tuesdays results weren’t the outcome we hoped for, I want to sincerely thank every single person who believed in me enough to cast your vote my way.

908 of you trusted me, many of you knowing I was stepping into this as a first-time candidate without deep political ties, big fundraising, or an established campaign machine behind me. That kind of trust means more than I can properly put into words.

These last few months have been eye-opening. I have learned a tremendous amount about our county, our systems, our politics, and the conversations that matter most to the people who call Boundary County home.

And here’s the silver lining…

Now I get to shift my focus toward goals I’ve worked hard for, finishing my paralegal degree and completing my realtor license this year. Both are paths I’m genuinely excited about, and both will continue to strengthen the way I serve others in this community.

As for politics? Never say never. 😉

Who knows… you just may see me again in two years with a much stronger data-driven understanding of what works, what doesn’t, and what real community leadership requires.

I want to congratulate Tim and I hope he steps up and truly listens to the people of this community.

For now, thank you. Truly.

Boundary County is still home. I still care deeply about this community. And this certainly isn’t the end of my story.

With gratitude,
Debra

05/19/2026

Well friends, today’s the day.

If you’ve ever said, “Something needs to change,” this is your opportunity.

Boundary County can’t expect different results by repeating the same cycle over and over.

Sometimes things need a good stir. Fresh perspective matters. New energy matters. Asking hard questions matters.

Don’t vote for someone simply because they’re expected to win.

Vote for the person you believe will make the biggest difference for our community.

Whatever you choose, please get out and vote today. Your voice matters.

05/09/2026

One good thing if I don’t win, everything I have learned I can start questioning. If I do happen to win, I can start making changes for the better. Either way, I feel I have won!! Make sure you get out an vote and yes, everyone can vote for the commissioners

05/09/2026

I do want to give a shout out to my friend Rhonda who has given me more pushback than anyone here. You have always given me a different perspective on situations and I want to thank you publicly for that.

04/28/2026

Good evening Boundary County.

I have been given permission to share some important information about Boundary Community Hospital and the proposed levy that was scheduled for a public meeting.
The hospital is facing real financial pressures that many rural hospitals across the country are experiencing. For every dollar they bill for inpatient care, they receive about 47 cents. For outpatient care, it is about 64 cents. They are operating with negative margins while trying to maintain 24/7 emergency services, lab, imaging, pharmacy, inpatient care, and all the support services our families rely on.
One of the biggest upcoming expenses is the replacement of their electronic health record system (EHR). This is the computer system that allows caregivers to document care, see lab results, review imaging, coordinate treatment, and send insurance claims. It is the backbone that keeps modern healthcare running. Without an approved EHR, the hospital cannot receive payments from Medicare, Medicaid, or other government programs.
The Hospital was informed that their current EHR system will no longer be supported after 2029. Assistance programs that once helped rural hospitals purchase these systems no longer exist. Larger regional hospitals are no longer able to provide the same level of support. Boundary Community Hospital is now on its own and must find a way to replace this critical system.
April and I also discussed mental health care. This ties directly into the same challenges Sheriff Stolley has spoken to me about. The hospital works closely with the Sheriff’s Office on these cases. When two key departments face similar pressures and we do not step up to address them now, it will become the community’s loss later down the road.
I don’t want my kids or my grandkids having to deal with this. We should be focusing on these issues and trying to find resolutions now instead of later when it may be too late. My community deserves better than that.
The commissioners notified hospital leadership on short notice that the public meeting was canceled. April Bennett, the CEO, had provided the information the board requested, yet the meeting did not move forward. The official statement was brief, and some people closely involved received even less detail.
I believe the community deserves full transparency on this issue. Our hospital belongs to all of us. A levy is a serious decision that affects every taxpayer. The people of Boundary County should have the opportunity to hear the full picture and decide for themselves whether they support it.
If you have questions or thoughts about the hospital levy, the meeting cancellation, or how we move forward, please comment or message me. I read every one and take them seriously.
Let’s keep the focus on what is best for Boundary County and our families.
Debra Henderson
Candidate for Boundary County Commissioner District 2

04/24/2026

I want to thank Elsa @ Watchmen Ministry North Idaho and the Boundary County Watchman for helping me get this fixed. Please take note of the letter included. This “mistake” has caused me a lot of ongoing issues and it has been exhausting trying to make sure everything is accurate.

Accountability is everything!!

Watchmen Ministry North Idaho, A Faith and Public Policy Ministry. Watchmen Ministry North Idaho provides Non-Partisian Voter Guides, Candidate Forums, and Relavant News from a Christian Perspective.

04/19/2026

Mark your calendars!! I hope to see you there.

04/19/2026

Bringing Planning & Zoning Back Home to Boundary County
Friends and neighbors,
I’ve heard loud and clear how frustrating it feels that our Planning & Zoning work is handled by a third-party contractor out of Sandpoint. The local office is currently open only for document drop-offs, with no planner on-site. If elected, I will work to bring P&Z back in-house with a qualified planner who lives here in Boundary County and answers directly to our residents and commissioners.
What that means in practice:
• Review and phase out the current contract with Ruen-Yeager in a responsible way.
• Budget for a local planner position that fits our small-county reality.
• Make a smooth transition so permits and hearings continue without delays.
• Hire the right person — this is one of my strongest skills. Through my years of management experience, I’ve successfully found, evaluated, and brought on quality people who are well-qualified and a great fit for the role and the team.
Let’s talk money honestly:
P&Z is mostly paid for by application fees (not general property taxes). The current contractor charges “actual cost of professional services” on top of base fees, which gets passed to people filing permits.
Bringing it in-house would mean a local salary. Commissioners earn around $50k–$60k. A realistic salary for a qualified planner in a rural county like ours is more in the $50,000–$70,000 base range, plus benefits — still significant money for our small town, but manageable and comparable to other county roles. We can phase it in, keep fees covering most costs, and review it annually so it stays responsible. Many small Idaho counties run their own P&Z this way and find it gives better local accountability without big tax increases.
This change is about local control and respecting our strong property-rights values — decisions made by someone who actually lives here, understands our rural way of life, and is directly accountable to you.
I’m running to listen first, ask questions, and make practical choices that keep Boundary County moving forward.
What are your thoughts on this? Comments and messages welcome. I read them all. Please share my posts on your timeline so more people are able to comment and understand what I’m about 😊

04/18/2026

If you’re out that way stop in for some great chili and meet some great Volunteers in our community.