A Boise political action committee that combats extremism in Idaho has spent more than twice as much on legislative primaries this year than in 2024.

Defend and Protect Idaho has reported $739,047 in independent expenditures this year, up from $309,674 two years ago.

The PAC, formed in January 2024, is opposing 13 legislative candidates, mostly incumbents focused on culture war issues, and supporting 18 candidates, typically more mainstream or moderate Republicans.

Its biggest target is Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Moscow, with $97,875 spent to oppose him. He faces Rep. Lori McCann, R-Lewiston.

The biggest beneficiary is Senate candidate and former House Majority Leader Megan Blanksma, with $26,705 spent in support. She is running against Sen. Christy Zito, R-Mountain Home.

A majority of the PAC’s spending this year, 65%, has gone toward opposing candidates. Other targets include District 20 Senate candidate Josh Keyser, District 33 Rep. Barbara Ehardt, District 1 Senate candidate Scott Herndon, and District 30B candidate Julianne Young. See the full list below.

Where the money comes from

A mix of in-state and out-of-state money funds Defend and Protect Idaho, but voters who checked Idaho Sunshine before Monday afternoon would not have known that, due to an error the PAC made in filing contribution reports.

The PAC’s largest donation comes from Way Back PAC, a federal hybrid PAC based in Wyoming, which chipped in $350,000 this year.

But Defend and Protect Idaho chairperson Gary Raney made errors in five timed contribution reports he signed and submitted to the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office since February 2024. The reports say Way Back PAC is based in Sheridan, Idaho, which does not exist. Way Back PAC is a federal committee based in Sheridan, Wyo.

EdNews flagged the error on Monday to both the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office and Defend and Protect Idaho.

“Thank you so much for bringing this (to) our attention,” Defend and Protect Idaho wrote in an email to EdNews on Monday. “This was, indeed, a mistake. We will go correct it right away!” 

Two hours after EdNews notified the Secretary of State’s Office, staff updated Idaho Sunshine with the correct information.

Before the correction, the committee profile in Idaho Sunshine incorrectly showed 95% of Defend and Protect Idaho’s contributions came from in-state. After the Secretary of State’s Office corrected the error, the profile now shows 45% of the PAC’s funding comes from in-state.

According to the Federal Election Commission, Way Back PAC received $1,125,000 from the nonprofit Western Futures Fund, also based in Sheridan, Wyoming. Another $350,000 comes from Toolbox, a Virginia-based nonprofit.

Where the money goes

Here’s the list of Defend and Protect Idaho’s independent expenditures this year:

Opposition

Support