Challenger running to unseat Bingham County assessor in Republican primary
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BINGHAM COUNTY – A challenger is running to unseat the incumbent assessor for Bingham County.
Incumbent county assessor Donovan Harrington is seeking reelection by his constituents, who voted him into office in November 2022 after he was appointed to fill a vacancy in June 2020. Challenger Jonathan Stimens is running to replace him.
Both candidates are Republicans.
EastIdahoNews.com sent the same eight questions to Harrington and Stimens. Their responses, listed below, were required to be 250 words or less, and were not edited.
The primary election is on May 19.
Tell us about yourself — include information about your family, career, education, volunteer work, and any prior experience in public office.
Harrington: I graduated from Bonneville High School Class of 71. Attended 2 semesters Ricks College with focus on Business Administration. Served a two-year mission for the LDS Church in Ohio & West Virginia. Graduated Idaho State University Applied Technology Diesel Mechanics. I worked for 16 years at the John Deere Dealership in Blackfoot, Idaho. In 1978 I married Jackie Lynn Merritt and we raised our 3 boys and only daughter in the Blackfoot School District. In March of 1990 I went to work for Teton Stage Lines as the General Manager and in Dec 1994 Jackie & I purchased the operation. Starting out with 4 road coaches, today we boast a fleet of over 53 units with operations in Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, Pocatello and Twin Falls. I served as a Bingham County Commissioner 2008 through 2010. I have been serving as the Assessor since July 2020. From a community perspective, I have been actively involved in Scouting and when the LDS Church pulled out, Teton Stage Lines stepped up and sponsored a Cub Pack and Boy Scout Troop and provided a place to meet. We have been members of the local chamber of commerce. I have been active in community theater throughout my adult life.
Stimens: I’ve been married to my wife for 13 years, and together we’re raising our daughter, who is a constant source of motivation and perspective in my life. Family is central to everything I do, and it’s shaped my strong work ethic and sense of responsibility.
Professionally, I bring over a decade of experience in the building industry. I’ve worked as a warehouse manager for building supply companies, where I developed strong organizational, leadership, and logistics skills. I also own and operate my own home inspection business along with a small construction business, which strengthened my attention to detail and customer service. In addition, I’ve served as a residential inspector for Bingham County, giving me valuable experience in ensuring safety, compliance, and quality standards.
My educational background includes two associate degrees: an Associate of Arts in General Education and an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice. This combination has given me both a broad academic foundation and a practical understanding of regulations, procedures, and critical thinking.
Giving back to my community is very important to me. In the past I’ve volunteered with Search and Rescue, which taught me teamwork and how to handle stress under pressure. I currently volunteer with the Blackfoot Fire Department, where I continue to serve others and stay actively involved in my community.
Overall, I take pride in being dependable, hardworking, and community-focused in both my personal and professional life.
Why are you seeking political office within your community? Briefly explain your political platform.
Stimens:I am seeking political office because I care deeply about the people in my community and the financial pressures many families are currently facing. With the rising cost of gas, ongoing inflation, and an overall increase in the cost of living, it has become harder for individuals and families to make ends meet. The last thing our community needs is for property taxes to rise sharply at a time when wages are not keeping pace.
I am running for the Bingham County Assessor’s Office to help ensure that property tax assessments are conducted fairly, accurately, and transparently. My goal is to make sure residents can trust the process and feel confident that their property values are not being overestimated in a way that places an unnecessary burden on them.
My platform is centered on fairness, accountability, customer service and service to the community. I believe the Assessor’s Office should operate with clear communication, consistency, and a commitment to treating every property owner equally. I also believe in being accessible and responsive, so that community members feel heard and supported when they have questions or concerns.
Rather than simply being frustrated by issues outside of my control, I chose to step forward and be part of the solution. I want to serve my community by helping protect homeowners and ensuring that property taxes remain as fair and reasonable as possible.
Harrington: I am seeking re-election so that I can complete what I started. We have been successful in changing all the farm grounds in Bingham County on a cash rent basis. We have been very successful in meeting the ratio studies placed upon the county by the Idaho State Tax Commission and consistently qualify all our Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Farm grounds each year.
What are the greatest challenges facing people in your county? What is your plan to meet and overcome those challenges?
Harrington: Bingham County has not been spared by the COWS (California, Oregon & Washington) and their ability to bring cash offers to the table. This has caused our housing market to take off and maybe making housing unaffordable for first time home buyers.
Stimens: One of the greatest challenges facing people in our county right now is the rising cost of living. From higher gas prices to inflation affecting everyday essentials, many families are feeling stretched thin. Wages are not always keeping pace, and that creates real financial stress for homeowners and renters alike. In times like these, unexpected increases in property taxes can place an even heavier burden on our community.
My plan is straightforward: the Assessor’s Office should not become part of the problem. I am committed to ensuring that property valuations are fair, accurate, and based on real market conditions, not inflated in a way that unnecessarily drives up tax burdens. Keeping taxes low and reasonable starts with responsible and transparent assessments.
I also believe in clear communication and accessibility. Property owners should understand how their valuations are determined and feel confident that the process is consistent and equitable. When people have concerns, they deserve timely answers and a fair review.
With ongoing economic uncertainty, we need steady, common-sense leadership. My goal is to help protect residents from additional financial strain by maintaining fairness and accountability in the assessment process. By focusing on accuracy, transparency, and service, we can ensure the Assessor’s Office supports the community rather than adding to the challenges people are already facing.
How will you best represent the views of your constituents – even those with differing political views? How do partisan politics play into your role as an elected leader?
Stimens: If elected, I will represent all constituents by focusing on fairness, respect, and open communication, regardless of political affiliation. At the local level, especially in the Assessor’s Office, decisions should not be driven by partisan politics, but by accuracy, consistency, and a commitment to serving the entire community.
People may have differing political views, but everyone deserves to be treated fairly, to be heard, and to be respected. I believe in listening carefully to concerns, answering questions clearly, and making sure every property owner understands how assessments are determined. My role is to serve the public impartially, not to favor one group over another.
Partisan politics should play little to no role in this position. The responsibility of the Assessor’s Office is to provide objective, fact-based property valuations that reflect true market conditions. It’s about doing the job correctly and ethically.
I will work to build trust by being accessible, transparent, and consistent in my decisions. Even when disagreements arise, I will approach them with professionalism and a willingness to listen. My goal is to ensure that every constituent feels confident that they are being treated equally under the system.
By keeping the focus on fairness, accountability, and service, I will represent the best interests of the entire community, not just a particular viewpoint.
Harrington: I have tried to maintain an open-door policy and invite everyone with question or concern to stop by and visit. In the Assessor Office we are required to keep values between 90 to 110 percent of sales. We are currently in compliance with the market on our residential homes.
What parts of the county budget could use more funding? Where are places in the budget where cuts could be made?
Harrington: In the Assessor budget we have given back to the General fund these past couple of years. Going forward we will need to hold onto the Assessor line item of funding to help pay for a new Software programing for the Treasurer Office and for us in revaluation.
Stimens: While I recognize that county budget decisions are primarily the responsibility of the County Commissioners, the Assessor’s Office still plays an important role in the broader financial picture through accurate and fair property valuations.
Rather than proposing specific increases or cuts to a particular department, my focus would be on ensuring that the Assessor’s Office operates efficiently, responsibly, and within its means. Taxpayers deserve to know that their dollars are being used wisely, and that starts with maintaining a cost-effective office that delivers accurate, timely assessments without unnecessary overhead.
What specific changes can be made in this office to increase public transparency and access to public information? How will you communicate directly with your constituents?
Stimens: Increasing transparency and accessibility in the Assessor’s Office starts with clear communication and making information easy for the public to find and understand. One of the most important improvements I would focus on is regularly updating the Assessor’s Office website so residents can easily access property information, understand how assessments are calculated, and stay informed about deadlines, appeals, and any changes that may affect them.
As times change, communication should evolve as well. I would support using social media as an additional tool to share updates, reminders, and general information in a timely and accessible way. This helps reach a broader audience and keeps the community better informed without requiring them to search for answers.
Customer service is another key area for improvement. Every interaction with the public should be handled with professionalism, respect, and a willingness to help. Whether someone walks into the office, calls with a question, or reaches out online, they should feel heard and confident they are getting clear and accurate information.
I also believe in being directly accessible to constituents. This includes being open to conversations, responding to concerns, and making time to explain the assessment process when needed. Transparency is not just about providing information, it’s about making sure people understand it and feel comfortable asking questions.
By improving communication, embracing modern tools, and prioritizing customer service, the Assessor’s Office can better serve the public and build stronger trust within the community.
Harrington: We could do a better job of making people aware of programs available to them, especially our seniors in the community.
Can you give a concrete example of a policy or budget decision you would support to improve a county service within your first year in office?
Harrington: Here in Bingham County when I took office, the farm ground was valued under an old policy of looking at soils associated with each acre of farm ground. No one could explain this process to me and so I undertook the process of changing all of Bingham County agricultural grounds to cash rent. This has been a 4-year process and we are happy to announce that not only have our row crop producing acres been converted but we have also completed all our grazing ground out on the great desert and the foothills east of the valley floor. We have worked closely with our row crop farmers and with our cattle and sheep producers to craft fair and equitable values for all of our agricultural grounds’ county wide.
Stimens: While I am not currently in office and may not be directly involved in setting broader county policy or budget decisions, I can point to a concrete improvement within the Assessor’s Office that I would support in my first year.
One practical step would be investing in updated technology and systems that make property information more accessible and the assessment process more efficient. This could include improving the online property search tools and ensuring records are easy to access, clear, and up to date. By doing this, we can reduce confusion, improve transparency, and save both staff time and taxpayer resources.
In addition, I would work to strengthen customer service standards by making sure staff are well-trained, responsive, and focused on helping residents understand their assessments and options. This is a low-cost, high-impact improvement that can greatly enhance public trust.
What experience do you bring that prepares you to manage county finances, and how will you ensure fiscal responsibility?
Stimens: I bring over a decade of experience in the building and property industry, along with hands-on management and small business ownership, which have prepared me to approach county finances with responsibility and attention to detail. As a warehouse manager for building supply companies, I was responsible for inventory control, budgeting, and efficient operations—ensuring resources were used wisely and waste was minimized.
As the owner of my own home inspection business, I managed day-to-day finances, set fair pricing, controlled expenses, and maintained accurate records. This experience gave me a strong understanding of financial accountability and the importance of operating within a budget. My work as a residential inspector for Bingham County also required accuracy, consistency, and adherence to established standards—skills that directly translate to the responsibilities of the Assessor’s Office.
To ensure fiscal responsibility, I will focus on running an efficient, well-organized office that uses taxpayer dollars carefully. This includes keeping operational costs under control, avoiding unnecessary spending, and looking for practical ways to improve processes without increasing the financial burden on residents.
I also believe transparency is key to accountability. By maintaining clear communication and accessible information, the public can have confidence that the office is operating responsibly.
Harrington: As stated above I have served Bingham County previously as a County Commissioner. I managed and agricultural service shop as the shop foreman. I have managed and owned my own transportation company for over 37 years. I would love to have the opportunity to continue serving the citizens of Bingham County.