More than half-a-million dollars have been spent on the race between Sen. Jim Guthrie and challenger David Worley, making it the most expensive legislative primary matchup this year.
As of Thursday morning, political action committees have reported spending a combined $375,107 for and against both candidates, and the two campaigns have spent a combined $128,545, for total spending of $503,652. Guthrie, R-McCammon, is running for a ninth legislative term in District 28, which includes Preston, American Falls and rural areas around Pocatello.
Of the $237,205 in PAC spending on Guthrie’s campaign, 89% is in support. Most of that is from mainstream groups funded by the business community.
The longtime legislator is benefiting from $72,392 in independent expenditure support from the Idaho Prosperity Fund PAC, which is aligned with the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, and $72,771 from the Idaho Liberty PAC, which received contributions from St. Luke’s and Micron.
Guthrie also has the support of the WinAg PAC and the PAC for Public Lands.
Two PACs funded by out-of-state money oppose the senator. Make Liberty Win, associated with Young Americans for Liberty, has spent $23,203 to oppose Guthrie. The Citizens Alliance of Idaho has spent $1,844 in opposition.
All of these PACs have taken the opposite position on Worley. PACs have spent $137,902 for and against Worley, with 50% of that in support.
The Citizens Alliance of Idaho has spent $10,498 to support Worley. Make Liberty Win has reported $9,220 to support his campaign. The 36-18-1 PAC, funded by Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d’Alene, has spent $22,872 to support the challenger.
Meanwhile, the Idaho Liberty PAC has spent $35,114 to oppose Worley and Defend and Protect Idaho has spent $20,078 to oppose him.
Six of Idaho’s constitutional officers have weighed in on the race. Attorney General Raul Labrador endorsed Worley, while Gov. Brad Little, Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke, Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield, Secretary of State Phil McGrane and Controller Brandon Woolf have united behind Guthrie.
Honorable mention: Woodward vs. Herndon
The second most expensive race so far this year is the North Idaho rematch between Sen. Jim Woodward and Scott Herndon, both Republicans from Sagle.
PACs have reported spending $134,570 on the race and the two campaigns have spent $133,220, for a total of $267,790.
Herndon, who is to the right of Woodward and wants to eliminate property taxes, has benefited from independent expenditures from Redman’s 36-18-1 PAC and the Idaho Summit PAC. Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, is the treasurer of that PAC and Redman is chair.
Woodward’s campaign has benefited from independent expenditure support from Defend and Protect Idaho, a PAC that combats political extremism in Idaho, and the PAC for Public Lands.
With six days until the May 19 primary, there will likely be more money poured into these elections from PACs and the campaigns themselves. We will know more about total primary election spending in June.
