Idaho Judicial Candidate Lisa Chesebro Answers Voter Questionnaire, Addresses DUI Conviction and Judicial Philosophy
KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — Voters in Idaho’s First Judicial District will have an opportunity to weigh their choices for an open district judge seat, and candidate Lisa Chesebro has stepped forward with a detailed written questionnaire response addressing her background, judicial philosophy, and a past DUI conviction. The First Judicial District covers Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah, Bonner, and Boundary counties. The open seat was created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Barbara Duggan in Shoshone County.
Who Is Lisa Chesebro?
Chesebro, 45, currently serves as the Trial Court Administrator in Kootenai County and resides in Shoshone County. She is a married mother who describes her religious affiliation as “respect for all faiths and for those of no faith,” adding that personal beliefs would not guide her judicial decisions.
Her legal background is rooted primarily in criminal law, though she notes that her years of legal work have also given her experience in litigation, courtroom procedure, legal research, motion practice, and case resolution — experience she says prepares her to handle the full range of matters that come before a district court judge.
When asked why voters should support her candidacy, Chesebro offered a direct answer: “Voters deserve a judge who is prepared, even-tempered, independent, and committed to equal justice for every person who enters the courtroom. If elected, I will work every day to earn and keep the public’s trust.”
Chesebro Discloses 2020 DUI Conviction
In perhaps the most notable portion of the questionnaire, Chesebro voluntarily disclosed that her driving privileges were suspended following a DUI charge in Kootenai County in 2020. She did not minimize the incident.
“In 2020, during one of the hardest years of my life, I made a serious mistake and was charged with DUI in Kootenai County,” Chesebro wrote. “That same year, my father was in hospice and passed away, and I was dealing with grief and family hardship. I’m not sharing this to make excuses. I’m sharing it because accountability matters.”
She noted that she took full responsibility, completed all court requirements, and received a withheld judgment. “None of us are defined only by our worst moment,” she wrote. “We are defined by how we respond, what we learn, and how we move forward.”
Chesebro also confirmed she has no history of state or federal tax liens.
Judicial Philosophy: Apply the Law as Written
On the core question of judicial philosophy, Chesebro was unambiguous. “My judicial philosophy is straightforward: apply the law as written, follow binding precedent, treat every person with dignity, and decide cases impartially based on the facts presented in court,” she stated. “A judge’s role is not to make policy, but to faithfully uphold the law.”
Asked about originalism, Chesebro stopped short of fully endorsing it as a universal standard, stating that courts should use interpretive methods required by binding precedent and applicable law, and that historical understanding may be relevant in some contexts while established doctrine governs in others.
On judicial restraint, she defined it clearly — deciding only the issues properly before the court, avoiding unnecessary rulings, and leaving policy choices to the legislative branch unless the law requires judicial intervention. That framing aligns with a conservative understanding of the separation of powers, a principle widely respected across North Idaho’s legal and civic community.
Regarding high-profile criminal cases — a category relevant in Kootenai County, where courts have seen significant public interest cases — Chesebro said she would apply the law fairly and use available tools such as scheduling controls and jury procedures to protect the right to a fair trial. She added that political attention cannot influence judicial decision-making in civil cases with public implications.
On the Idaho Legislature’s recent update allowing prosecutors to seek the death penalty in cases involving aggravated lewd conduct against a minor under age 12, Chesebro’s questionnaire response was included in the source material but cut off before completion. Her full answer on that question was not available at the time of publication.
What Comes Next for First Judicial District Voters
Voters across the First Judicial District — including residents of Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, and communities throughout the North Idaho Panhandle — will have the opportunity to choose between Chesebro and her opponent for the open seat. The winner will fill the vacancy left by Judge Duggan’s retirement in Shoshone County.
Residents are encouraged to review candidate questionnaires, attend any scheduled public forums, and research both candidates before casting their ballots. Courts directly shape the lives of Kootenai County families through criminal sentencing, civil disputes, and family law matters — making judicial elections among the most consequential on any local ballot.
For broader coverage of Idaho government and courts, visit Idaho News. Kootenai County News will continue to follow this judicial race and other local elections. Readers can also review recent local leadership coverage, including the appointment of Jon Fugitt as the new Coeur d’Alene Fire Chief, as community leadership across the region takes shape in 2026.