It's time to take a stand

The right choice for

Kootenai County

Steve Em brings more than three decades of experience in public safety, investigation, and community service to his campaign for Kootenai County Commissioner. His career has focused on protecting communities, supporting families, and working directly with people facing some of the most difficult challenges in society.



Steve was born in October 1967 and was adopted in April 1968 by Annette and Rocco Em. He was raised with strong family values and attended Catholic schools growing up. He graduated from St. Francis High School in La Cañada, California in 1986 before continuing his education at Woodbury University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Personnel Management in 1991.

A heart for the people

In 1993, Steve began his career in public service with the Los Angeles County Probation Department, working at Juvenile Hall. Over the next two decades he served in a variety of roles focused on public safety, youth intervention, and community protection.

During his time with the department, Steve received training alongside federal agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and worked with a narcotics task force, gaining experience in complex investigations involving organized crime and drug trafficking. He was later elected to the Probation Department’s Gang Unit, where he handled both adult and juvenile caseloads and developed expertise related to the Mexican Mafia prison gang.

Steve also worked in juvenile institutions where his focus expanded to include mental health issues, addiction recovery, and family reunification programs, helping young people and families navigate difficult circumstances.

In the early 2000s, Steve moved his family to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he continued his work in public service. After medically retiring from the probation department in 2015, he went on to work for Clark County Child Protective Services, serving in the Child Sex Abuse Unit. In that role he worked closely with law enforcement and prosecutors investigating crimes involving children.

Steve later served as a State Investigator for Nevada, continuing his work protecting vulnerable individuals and supporting law enforcement investigations.

A proven work ethic focused on serving the people.

In 2018, Steve attended trucking school and spent approximately a year and a half driving professionally for Schneider, gaining firsthand experience in the transportation industry and the challenges faced by working families across the western United States.

In 2020, Steve and his family chose to make North Idaho their home, settling in Worley. Like many families who relocate to the region, they were drawn by the strong sense of community, independence, and natural beauty that defines the area.

Today Steve works for Spokane Waste Management, where he continues to serve the community through essential public services.



Throughout his life, Steve has remained deeply connected to the outdoors and to hands-on work. His hobbies include collecting old coins and studying the history behind them, hunting and spending time outdoors, practicing target shooting, and studying the migratory patterns of elk in the North Idaho region. He also enjoys working on old cars, gardening, and growing food at home.

Leadership Built on Experience

Steve’s career has been shaped by direct experience in public safety, investigation, and community service. Those experiences have given him a practical understanding of how government decisions affect families, neighborhoods, and local communities.

 As Kootenai County continues to grow, Steve believes strong local leadership is essential to protect the values that make North Idaho special. His campaign focuses on protecting local control, encouraging responsible growth, and ensuring communities remain safe and strong for future generations.