UPDATED: 2:15 p.m. Friday, March 6, with a third withdrawal, Democrat Rosann Mathews
Updated: 3:15 p.m. Friday, March 6, with a fourth withdrawal, Republican James Spencer
The field of legislative candidates has narrowed from 272 at the end of last week to 266 on Friday afternoon.
Democrat Brian Stroops, who filed to run for District 23 House Seat B, withdrew his candidacy Thursday. His departure means Democrat Joe Fuller will not face a primary election and will run against incumbent Rep. Shawn Dygert, R-Melba, in November.
Former Republican Rep. Jeff Thompson also withdrew his candidacy on Thursday. The Idaho Falls resident filed to run on Feb. 27 in District 33 House Seat B.
The Idaho Statesman reported Friday that Thompson also filed to run as a representative in the Kentucky General Assembly.
Kentucky’s elections website shows Thompson declared on Jan. 7 but withdrew that filing Wednesday, one day before he ended his Idaho run.
His campaign email handle — “jeff4legislator” — is vague enough to be used in both states.
Voters in District 33B will still have a Republican primary. Republican Jilene Burger faces Rep. Marco Erickson, R-Idaho Falls, in May. The winner will run against Democrat Todd DeVries in November.
On Friday, another candidate dropped out. Democrat Rosann Mathews filed last week to run for Senate in District 28. Her withdrawal on Friday eliminates another Democratic primary. Democrat Mandy Peace will run in November against the winner of a two-way Republican primary pitting Sen. Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, against challenger David Worley.
Shortly after Mathews withdrew, Republican James Spencer exited his race. He was planning on running in District 6 House Seat A for Lewiston Republican Rep. Lori McCann’s seat. McCann is running for Senate, leaving her seat vacant. Republicans Colton Bennett and Cindy Agidius will run in the May primary, without Spencer.
Sen. Codi Galloway, R-Boise, and Republican Gary Alfred Butts, withdrew earlier this week, as we reported on Tuesday.
The six withdrawals this week narrowed the field and reduced the number of primaries in May. There will be five Democratic primaries and 48 Republican primaries.
