Hi, I’m Rich Harter. I am not a politician. I’m a family man and I love Jesus. I have served the Bonner County community for over a decade as a volunteer. I have donated my time as a fire fighter and fire chief, 4-H leader, teacher and active Christian. I have actively participated in the Republican Party as a committeeman and as a shaper of ballot items affecting us all. Like you, I love the United States, Idaho and most of all, Bonner County and its people.
I was born and raised in Indiana and I grew up surrounded by cattle and corn. I joined the U.S. Army in 1990 and served in field artillery for over three years. It was during this time that I started to understand what it means to serve. After I exited the Army, I moved to Phoenix Arizona, where I met my love and best friend, Shonna. We were married in 1997 and had two children, Catelyn and Meagan. We moved to Las Vegas in 1997. In 2001 I started my business, Cactus Garage Doors, which is still successful to this day with 10 employees.
In 2009 our daughter Meagan went home to be with the Lord. When this happened Shonna and I took a long hard look at our life and we knew it was time for a change. This is how we found Bonner County and Clark Fork. We had both grown up in small rural communities and that is how we wanted to raise our daughter Catelyn.
We moved to Clark Fork on Easter Day 2012. As soon as we moved in, our neighbors welcomed us and invited us to Cabinet Mountain Calvary Chapel. Here we started healing and grew closer to God. It was refreshing to feel a community around us, welcoming us. It was here that I grew closer to God and my community.
I joined the Clark Fork Volunteer Fire Department immediately and I was given the opportunity to serve with some of the best people in my area. It was from their professionalism that I learned how to be a fireman. I became Fire Chief in 2017 and served for five years. I was a 4-H rifle and pistol leader for five years. I loved teaching safety and gun handling skills to kids, I know that guns are an integral part of our American culture. Teaching our children how to safely and wisely handle guns is our responsibility.
You deserve to know that I am working for you. My door will not be open, it will be removed. As a commissioner I intend to be a force for government transparency and accountability to the people of Bonner County. My goal is to ensure that the assets of the county, belonging to its taxpayers, are utilized to benefit the community as a whole. It’s our county, your money and our future at stake and in the hands of our elected servants. Bonner County needs men and women of character and integrity, people who are willing to own the decisions they were elected to make. I will serve with humility and integrity, always keeping the best interests of the residents of Bonner County as my first priority.
