Election Notes
Just two months after Idahoans voted on more than $1 billion in school funding, nearly three-quarters that amount — over $734 million — is on the ballot for May 16.
While five of seven large measures failed to surmount the two-thirds supermajority needed to pass bonds, most of this round’s school financing requests involve plant facilities levies (often requiring 55% voter approval, depending on the size of the levy and the district’s debt ratio) and supplemental levies (which need only a simple majority to pass). These include West Ada’s record-setting $500 million plant facilities levy, and Coeur d’Alene’s new ask, after a permanent supplemental levy failed in March.
Idaho’s steady growth means schools spanning from the Boise suburbs all the way up north to Coeur d’Alene and east to Bonneville are tending towards overcrowding. A total of 16 districts are asking voters to green-light 18 spending proposals to expand and renovate schools. Get all the details on what districts need below and keep an eye on Idaho EdNews for unfolding results after voting day on May 16.
West Ada:
- What: Ten-year, $500 million plant facilities levy.
- What’s at stake? The largest local funding issue in Idaho history contains 12 major projects and renovations at all 58 West Ada schools. Big-ticket items include a new $100 million career-technical education center for expanded instruction and student skill acquisition in high-demand fields, $70 million to build two new elementary schools to alleviate overcrowding in north and south parts of the district, $52 million for expanding and renovating Centennial High School and $32 million for to upgrading playground accessibility and safety.
- What’s the process? A plant facilities levy requires approval from 55% of voters. A plant facilities levy, collected from annual property tax cash flows. West Ada asserts that this would save the county about $255 million in interest over its 10-year lifespan.
- Further reading: West Ada’s proposed levy would benefit all 58 schools
Vallivue:
- What: $78 million bond issue.
- What’s at stake? Two new elementary schools to alleviate overcrowding at six of seven district schools. New roofs and HVAC systems for Vallivue High School and East Canyon Elementary. Land purchases for future schools.
- What’s the process? All bond issues require a two-thirds supermajority to pass. The bond will cost $78 million in principal and $38.6 million in interest.
- Further reading: District election information page
Coeur d’Alene:
- What: Two-year, $50 million supplemental levy.
- What’s at stake? The supplemental levy accounts for about a fifth of Coeur d’Alene’s annual budget. The largest slice of the levy, $7.2 million, is set for teacher and staff compensation. About $4.6 million goes into maintenance, transportation staffing. $3.35 million funds new elective, enrichment and CTE classes. And $2.82 million is planned for classroom and school resources.
- What’s the process? A simple majority is required to pass this two-year supplemental levy.
- Further reading: District election information page
Bonneville:
- What: 17-year, $34.5 million bond issue.
- What’s at stake? With approved funds, the district plans to build a new elementary school and supply the money necessary to repair and replace school roofs. The new school will enroll 700 students in general education classrooms and provide additional classrooms for special education programming.
- What’s the process? A two-thirds supermajority is required to pass Idaho bonds. This bond will cost taxpayers $36 a year per $100,000 of taxable property value.
- Further reading: District election information page
Idaho Falls
- What: Ten-year, $33 million plant facilities levy.
- What’s at stake? The district plans to use those funds to build a new elementary school on the south side of Idaho Falls through a lease purchase agreement. The district reports Sunnyside Elementary to be at about 145% capacity.
- What’s the process? A plant facilities levy requires approval from 55% of voters.
- Further reading: Idaho Falls trustees approve a $33 million plant facilities levy for the May ballot
Lakeland
- What: Two-year, $19.04 million supplemental levy.
- What’s at stake? After failing to pass a larger supplemental levy in March, Lakeland scaled back its ask. About three-quarters of the bond will go towards certified, classified, and administrative pay. There is also money budgeted to improve extracurricular resources and personnel, student transportation and safety.
- What’s the process? A supplemental levy requires a simple majority to pass.
- Further reading: District election information page
Lakeland
- What: Two-year, $2,293,040 plant facilities levy.
- What’s at stake? Lakeland plans to improve, maintain and repair existing buildings, acquire and improve school sites, purchase school buses and equip school buildings with necessary facilities.
- What’s the process? A plant facilities levy requires a 55% majority to pass.
- Further reading: District election information page
West Bonner County
- What: Two-year, $9.4 million supplemental levy.
- What’s at stake? In order to replace the current levy ending on June 30, the district proposes a two-year supplemental levy — which would represent about 33% of its annual operating budget. Renewed funding will supply a new bus, athletics activities, a school resource officer, salaries for teachers and support staff, textbooks, learning materials and training for staff and safety and security facility improvements.
- Further reading: District election information page
Hagerman
- What: Five-year, $2 million plant facilities levy.
- What’s at stake? The district plans to combine $800,000 saved from a previous levy with the proposed $2 million plant facility levy funds to renovate or replace the Prince Memorial Gym as well as to address facility needs. The plant facility levy would maintain current property tax rates via maturing current plant facility and supplemental levies.
- Further reading: District election information page
Emmett
- What: Two-year, $1.2 million supplemental levy.
- What’s at stake? New school roofs, front entry doors, and ADA compliant door handles. Safety lighting for exterior areas of district buildings.
- Further reading: District election information page
Emmett
- What: Two-year, $800,000 supplemental levy.
- What’s at stake? Elementary counselors, instructional coaches, core content teachers and special education support staff.
- Further reading: District election information page
Weiser
- What: Four-year, $1.24 million plant facilities levy.
- What’s at stake? With this cash injection, Weiser plans to upgrade safety measures at school entrances, address necessary building maintenance issues, and upgrade facilities.
- Further reading: district election information page
Payette
- What: Two-year, $1 million supplemental levy.
- What’s at stake? Half of this funding would go towards developing elementary and middle school curriculum, one-fifth to upgrading the track, one-tenth to maintenance equipment, one-tenth to teacher compensation and one-tenth to building security.
- Further reading: district election information page
Whitepine
- What: One-year, $880,000 supplemental levy.
- What’s at stake? About two-thirds of this levy is designated for salaries and benefits. The rest of the funds would be spread almost equally between security and technology upgrades, maintenance and operations resources, transportation, supplies and curriculum and athletics and extracurricular programs.
- Further reading: online ballot
Parma
- What: Two-year, $800,000 supplemental levy.
- What’s at stake? Over half of this levy would go towards certified and classified staff salaries and benefits. The remaining monies will be spread between extracurricular coaching stipends and services, technology upgrades and a school resource officer.
- Further reading: district election information page
New Plymouth
- What: Two-year, $700,000 supplemental levy.
- What’s at stake? Over half of this levy would go towards certified and support staff salaries. About 15% would go towards a new bus. The remaining funds would be used to purchase athletic and instructional supplies.
- Further reading: district election information page
Salmon River
- What: One-year, $495,000 supplemental levy.
- What’s at stake? This levy renewal would help pay teacher, special education and other classified staff salaries, in addition to funding extracurricular programs and technology.
- Further reading: district election information page
Nezperce
- What: One-year, $445,000 supplemental levy.
- What’s at stake? Over half of this levy would go towards staff salaries and benefits. The rest of the money is set for curriculum and supplies, utilities, transportation, and maintenance bills.
- Further reading: online ballot
Cottonwood
- What: One-year, $200,000 supplemental levy.
- What’s at stake? Almost half of these funds would be applied to utility bills. The rest of the levy will be spread between maintenance/janitorial repairs and supplies, technology, online support and substitute teachers.
- Further reading: online ballot
Find info on all ballot measures here.
Idaho Ed News Data Analyst Randy Schrader contributed to this report.
5.11.22: The election money race: a deep dive into the raw numbers
I’ll be writing my weekly analysis piece Thursday on the campaign money race, heading into next week’s primary elections.
But in researching the story, I dove into the sunshine reports for the statewide races — and the key legislative primaries we’ve been watching since the close of the candidate filing period in March.
I’m looking at two sets of numbers in the statewide races: total fundraising and spending since Jan. 1, 2021; and a 30-day fundraising and spending snapshot.
The idea is to look for candidates that seem to be picking up and spending a lot of late money (such as Attorney General Lawrence Wasden), and for candidates that seem to be tapering off (in the secretary of state’s race, for example, both Rep. Dorothy Moon and Sen. Mary Souza have raised modest amounts of money since April, relative to Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane).
In the high-profile legislative races, some big numbers stand out. Two Senate candidates have raised more than $100,000, and two East Idaho House challengers are closing in on that mark. Six-figure legislative war chests aren’t unheard of. But they are rare.
Here are the raw numbers. I’ll put it all into some perspective in my Thursday analysis piece.
Superintendent of public instruction
Debbie Critchfield, Republican
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $319,559; spent $157,357.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $44,870; spent $87,039.
Branden Durst, Republican
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $67,745; spent $43,638.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $18,720; spent $5,073.
Sherri Ybarra, Republican (incumbent)
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $34,469; spent $28,939.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $5,087; spent $2,491.
Terry Gilbert, Democrat
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $4,744; spent $921.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $3,750; spent $440.
Governor
Brad Little, Republican (incumbent)
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $2,070,740; spent $1,382,263.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $291,061; spent $324,583.
Janice McGeachin, Republican
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $710,569; spent $394,415.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $67,354; spent $88,990.
Ed Humphreys, Republican
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $438,357; spent $378,336.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $79,655; spent $36,614.
Steve Bradshaw, Republican
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $87,733; spent $77,196.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $20,357; spent $14,179.
Ashley Jackson, Republican
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $4,787; spent $4,177.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $1,708; spent $1,758.
Ben Cannady, Republican
No fundraising activity.
Lisa Marie, Republican
No fundraising activity.
Cody Usabel, Republican
No fundraising activity.
Shelby Rognstad, Democrat (write-in)
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $222,126; spent $151,072.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $74,143; spent $50,612.
Stephen Heidt, Democrat
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $765; spent $304.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $765; spent $304.
David Reilly, Democrat (write-in)
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $516; spent $396.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: No fundraising activity.
Ammon Bundy, independent
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $404,952; spent $401,519.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $5,844; spent $6,594.
Lieutenant governor
Scott Bedke, Republican
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $795,263; spent $452,527.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $199,245; spent $219,651.
Priscilla Giddings, Republican
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $630,678; spent $420,258.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $92,240; spent $151,710.
Daniel Giasorowski, Republican
No fundraising activity.
Terri Pickens Manweiler, Democrat
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $155,112; spent $53,862.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $16,635; spent $7,153.
Attorney general
Raul Labrador, Republican
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $592,449; spent $323,929.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $149,168; spent $157,039.
Lawrence Wasden, Republican (incumbent)
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $451,293; spent $357,255.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $121,803; spent $207,488.
Arthur Macomber, Republican
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $137,643; spent $128,223.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $877; spent $2,799.
Steven Scanlin, Democrat
No fundraising activity.
Secretary of state
Phil McGrane, Republican
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $408,939; spent $204,591.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $126,327; spent $123,433.
Dorothy Moon, Republican
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $226,297; spent $159,462.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $12,819; spent $54,472.
Mary Souza, Republican
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $120,655; spent $60,325.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $17,763; spent $13,226.
Shawn Keenan, Democrat
Jan. 1, 2021-May 11, 2022: Raised $200; no spending.
April 11, 2022-May 11, 2022: Raised $200; no spending.
Key contested legislative primaries
Senate, District 1
Scott Herndon, Republican, Sagle: Raised $101,617; spent $65,703.
Sen. Jim Woodward, R-Sagle (incumbent): Raised $75,844; spent $60,386.
Senate, District 4
Tara Malek, Republican, Coeur d’Alene: Raised $64,578; spent $53,002.
Ben Toews, Republican, Coeur d’Alene: Raised $47,087; spent $27,480.
House Seat B, District 4
Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene (incumbent): Raised $47,716; spent $31,221.
Elaine Price, Republican, Coeur d’Alene: Raised $24,369; spent $18,345.
Roger Garlock, Republican, Coeur d’Alene: Raised $1,956; no spending.
Senate, District 6
Sen. Robert Blair, R-Kendrick (incumbent): Raised $18,062; spent $8,553.
Jen Seegmiller, Republican, Moscow: Raised $8,897; spent $7,860.
Dan Foreman, Republican, Viola: Raised $3,920; spent $3,597.
Senate, District 7
Cindy Carlson, Republican, Riggins: Raised $36,799; spent $36,798.
Sen. Carl Crabtree, R-Grangeville (incumbent): Raised $31,870; spent $20,780.
Keith Stuffle, Republican, Lewiston: Raised $524; spent $524.
Heather Rogers, Republican, Lewiston: No fundraising activity.
Senate, District 9
Sen. Abby Lee, R-Fruitland (incumbent): Raised $17,821; spent $30,763.
Sen. Jim Rice, R-Caldwell (incumbent): Raised $20,219; spent $22,057.
Jordan Marques, Republican, Payette: Raised $10,813; spent $8,338.
Kayla Dunn, Republican: Raised $2,002; spent $1,611.
(Due to redistricting, Lee and Rice now live in the same legislative district.)
House Seat B, District 9
Rep. Scott Syme, R-Wilder (incumbent): Raised $54,374; spent $29,034.
Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale (incumbent): Raised $16,000; spent $14,157.
(Due to redistricting, Syme and Boyle now live in the same legislative district.)
Senate, District 10
Scott Brock, Republican, Middleton: Raised $26,320; spent $13,874.
Rep. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton (sitting House member): Raised $24,758; spent $10,940.
Senate, District 11
Rep. Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell (sitting House member): Raised $47,311; spent $26,390.
Chris Trakel, Republican, Caldwell: No fundraising activity.
Senate, District 14
Sen. C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle (incumbent): Raised $40,312; spent $32,396.
Sen. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett (incumbent): Raised $20,526; spent $20,324.
Katie Donahue, Republican, Emmett: No fundraising activity.
(Due to redistricting, Grow and Thayn now live in the same legislative district.)
House Seat B, District 14
Josh Tanner, Republican, Eagle: Raised $44,225; spent $17,370.
Rep. Gayann DeMordaunt, R-Eagle (incumbent): Raised $23,870; spent $3,226.
Senate, District 15
Sen. Fred Martin, R-Boise (incumbent): Raised $111,975; spent $50,598.
Sen. Codi Galloway, R-Boise (sitting House member): Raised $37,230; spent $19,738.
Dorothy Greenzang, Republican, Boise: Raised $700; spent $467.
Senate, District 20
Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise (incumbent): Raised $69,805; spent $44,628.
Rosa Martinez, Republican, Meridian: Raised $24,788; spent $11,786.
House Seat A, District 22
Rep. Greg Ferch, R-Boise (incumbent): Raised $37,499; spent $7,580.
Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Meridian (incumbent): Raised $26,950; spent $9,795.
(Due to redistricting, Ferch and Vander Woude now live in the same legislative district.)
Senate, District 26
Rep. Laurie Lickley, R-Jerome (sitting House member): Raised $52,705; spent $21,702.
Eric Parker, Republican, Hailey: Raised $19,210; spent $12,639.
House Seat A, District 31
Jerald Raymond, Republican, Menan: Raised $35,265; spent $26,537.
Rep. Karey Hanks, R-St. Anthony (incumbent): Raised $26,895; spent $19,417.
House Seat A, District 33
Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls (incumbent): Raised $30,909; spent $29,191.
Jeff Thompson, Republican, Idaho Falls: Raised $27,300; spent $3,178.
House Seat B, District 34
Britt Raybould, Republican, Rexburg: Raised $97,865; spent $46,135.
Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg (incumbent): Raised $40,850; spent $26,368.
House Seat B, District 35
Josh Wheeler, Republican, Ammon: Raised $85,265; spent $42,215.
Rep. Chad Christensen, R-Ammon (incumbent): Raised $21,258; spent $20,419.
5.9.22: Critchfield releases list of educator endorsements
State superintendent’s candidate Debbie Critchfield is touting endorsements from more than 110 Idaho educators — a list that includes several former aides to incumbent Sherri Ybarra.
“My message for change includes how we support and prepare teachers for the modern classroom,” the Republican Critchfield said in a news release. “Teachers are looking for a leader that creates the conditions for their success.”
The former State Department of Education officials on Critchfield’s list includes some familiar names, such as Kelly Brady, who filed a whistleblower complaint against Ybarra and received a $150,000 settlement. Also on the list: former SDE staffers Tina Polishchuk, Duncan Robb, Matt McCarter, Joyce Popp, Karlynn Laraway, Allison Westfall and Portia Flynn.
The Critchfield list also includes several Idaho school superintendents: Rob Sauer of Homedale; Randy Lords of Madison; and Clete Edmundson of Council.
Critchfield, Ybarra and former legislator Branden Durst are vying for the Republican nomination in the May 17 Republican primary. The nominee will face Boise Democrat Terry Gilbert in November.
5.2.22: Bedke’s Statehouse endorsements underscore legislative rift
In a show of support — and also a sign of discord among Statehouse Republicans — House Speaker and lieutenant governor’s candidate Scott Bedke unveiled a long list of legislative endorsements Tuesday.
By the numbers: Bedke, R-Oakley, claimed endorsements from 52 Republican lawmakers. That accounts for nearly one half of the Legislature, and about three-fifths of legislative Republicans.
But Bedke’s list includes only half of the House’s 58 Republicans. Notably, Bedke boasts the backing of the Senate’s GOP leadership team, and the three other members of House GOP leadership — Majority Leader Mike Moyle, Assistant Majority Leader Jason Monks and Caucus Chair Megan Blanksma. But also notable is the absence of support from the House’s hardliners, who appear aligned with Rep. Priscilla Giddings, R-White Bird.
(Also notable: 27 of these 29 House members joined Bedke in a vote to censure Giddings in November.)
In a news release Tuesday, Bedke touted the conservative credentials of his backers — many of whom are facing challenges from the right in the May 17 GOP primary.
“I am grateful for the support from so many proven Idaho conservatives,” Bedke said in a news release. “As Idaho’s next lieutenant governor, I will continue working with them to ensure we put our shared conservative values into policy.”
Here’s the endorsement list:
Senate: Jeff Agenbroad, Kelly Anthon, Steve Bair, Robert Blair, Van Burtenshaw, Kevin Cook, Carl Crabtree, C. Scott Grow, Mark Harris, Lee Heider, Todd Lakey, Abby Lee, Dave Lent, Patti Anne Lodge, Fred Martin, Jim Patrick, Jim Rice, Doug Ricks, Peter Riggs, Steven Thayn, Julie VanOrden, Chuck Winder, Jim Woodward.
House: Randy Armstrong, Megan Blanksma, Matthew Bundy, David Cannon, Greg Chaney, Lance Clow, Marco Erickson, Rod Furniss, Marc Gibbs, Steven Harris, Linda Wright Hartgen, James Holtzclaw, Wendy Horman, Clark Kauffman, Ryan Kerby, Laurie Lickley, Lori McCann, Dustin Manwaring, Gary Marshall, Jason Monks, Mike Moyle, Joe Palmer, Scott Syme, Caroline Nilsson Troy, Jon Weber, John Vander Woude, Fred Wood, Julie Yamamoto, Rick Youngblood.
5.2.22: As election nears, McGeachin shortfall saga takes a new turn
On Monday, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin dismissed reports of an office budget deficit — while a state administrator warned that it might be difficult for McGeachin to balance her books.
McGeachin’s $2,000 shortfall — in a $183,000 office budget, one of the smallest in state government — has been an ongoing story. The state’s budget year ends on June 30, and according to the Idaho Constitution, no state agency can end the budget year in the red. And before that, McGeachin will seek the Republican gubernatorial nomination in the May 17 primary.
The shortfall saga unfolded on two fronts Monday.
First, McGeachin issued a news release labeling reports of the shortfall as “misinformation.” She again blamed the budget problems on the news media — which successfully sued McGeachin for refusing to release comments to her education task force. Under a court order, McGeachin’s office reimbursed nearly $29,000 in legal fees to the Idaho Press Club.
“The media continues to manufacture controversy where none exists. The lieutenant governor’s office budget is balanced,” the McGeachin news release said, in part. “Our office has made the necessary cuts and adjustments to cover those (legal) costs, and Idaho taxpayers will not need to provide any additional funding for this office.”
Part of the plan for balancing the books involves McGeachin forgoing a paycheck through the end of the budget year.
But Alex Adams, the head of Gov. Brad Little’s Division of Financial Management administrator, warned McGeachin of a possible problem, Clark Corbin and Audrey Dutton of the Idaho Capital Sun reported Monday. State law sets salaries for elected officials, and the state Constitution limits the ability to cut these salaries in the middle of the budget year.
“There’s an ongoing review of the ability to close the deficit based on these laws and the process to do so,” Adams told McGeachin in an email, obtained by the Idaho Capital Sun.
In his email, Adams told McGeachin she has $8,909.94 left in her budget for the budget year. McGeachin’s payroll costs would total $10,977.77, creating a $2,067.83 deficit, the Idaho Capital Sun reported.
4.29.22: This week in the superintendent’s race: Catch up here
There’s been a lot of news in the state superintendent’s primary this week.
Here’s a one-stop shop where you can get caught up:
Monday: Republican incumbent Sherri Ybarra and challengers Debbie Critchfield and Branden Durst squared off in a debate, aired statewide on Idaho Public Television. Here is a full story on the debate from our Blake Jones. And click here to watch the debate.
Tuesday: A judge in King County. Wash., found Durst in contempt of court, in connection with the candidate’s custody agreement with his ex-wife. Story from our friends at Idaho Capital Sun.
The latest in the money race: Critchfield continues to hold a big fundraising edge. Jones has this story too.
Ybarra, Critchfield and Durst met again Tuesday night, in a debate aired on KTVB. Click here to watch.
Thursday: Do you want to read where the candidates stand, in their own words? We have that covered. Here’s our questionnaire.
With six joint appearances — including two this week — the superintendents’ candidates are showing voters what they can expect. That’s how it should work. An analysis piece on the debate season.
4.25.22: Some big-name Monday endorsements
Some prominent endorsements on Monday — 22 days before the Republican primary.
Otters endorse Critchfield. Former Gov. Butch Otter and former first lady Lori Otter threw their support behind state superintendent’s candidate Debbie Critchfield.
“Debbie has the conservative values that put Idaho kids and families first,” Butch Otter said in a news release. “She will uphold our constitutional obligations for education in Idaho.”
“With 20 years of state and local education experience, Debbie Critchfield is prepared to listen and act on behalf of our students,” Lori Otter said. “As a former classroom teacher and administrator, I recognize the qualities Debbie brings to the table to lead Idaho K-12 education on day one.”
The Otter-Critchfield connection goes back to at least 2014, when the governor named Critchfield to the State Board of Education. Three years later, Otter named Critchfield to his 36-member higher education task force (along with current state superintendent Sherri Ybarra, among others).
Critchfield, Ybarra and former legislator Branden Durst are vying for the GOP nomination for state superintendent.
Little endorses Bedke. Gov. Brad Little has his own re-election to deal with. But on Monday, he endorsed House Speaker Scott Bedke for lieutenant governor.
“Scott Bedke worked with me to cut red tape and make Idaho the least regulated state in the nation, provide Idahoans historic tax relief, and fully fund law enforcement and first responders,” Little said Monday. “As lieutenant governor, Scott Bedke will be a trusted partner and help us continue to make Idaho the place where we all can have the opportunity to thrive.”
This endorsement hardly registers as a surprise. Little and Bedke have made no real secret of their support for each other in their respective GOP primaries.
Little and Bedke are, at most, a de facto ticket.
Idaho elects its governor and lieutenant governor separately. That means the two top executives sometimes come from opposing parties. Or opposing ideologies — as is the case now, as Little and Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin are squaring off in a contentious primary for governor. (For more details on this unusual matchup, here’s a weekend story from Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press.)
Bedke, state Rep. Priscilla Giddings of White Bird and Daniel Gasiorowski of Placerville are running in the Republican race for lieutenant governor.
4.19.22: It’s official: Governor’s debate is a no-go
Gov. Brad Little and Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin could agree on this much.
Neither of them wanted to show up for an Idaho Public Television debate.
So the May 3 Republican gubernatorial candidates’ debate is officially off.
On Friday, Little was the first candidate to back out — refusing the Idaho Public Television and KTVB debates, and drawing sharp criticisms from GOP rivals McGeachin and Ed Humphreys.
McGeachin had originally agreed to the Idaho Public Television debate, but that was before Little backed out. When Little canceled, McGeachin said she wouldn’t participate if Little was a no-show.
Debate organizers gave McGeachin a 5 p.m. Tuesday deadline to reconsider. The deadline came and went without a response.
Since that left Humphreys as the only candidate committed to the debate, the debate was canceled.
Tuesday’s news leaves three debates on the Idaho Public Television schedule:
- April 19: Republican candidates for attorney general.
- April 25: Republican candidates for superintendent of public instruction.
- April 26: Republican candidates for secretary of state.
The Idaho Public Television debates, the Idaho Debates, are a partnership between the Idaho Press Club, Idaho Public Television, the League of Women Voters of Idaho and the state’s public universities.
4.18.22: Gilbert endorses Reclaim Idaho initiative
With Reclaim Idaho in the final days of signature gathering, Democratic state superintendent’s candidate Terry Gilbert is endorsing Reclaim’s $300 million education initiative.
“It’s the best investment you can make in our kids,” Gilbert, of Boise, said in a Monday news release.
Reclaim’s Quality Education Act would raise money for K-12 by increasing the corporate income tax rate to 8%; the 2022 Legislature reduced this rate from 6.5% to 6%.
It would also add a 4.5% income tax for individual income over $250,000 per year, or household income exceeding $500,000 annually. The 2022 Legislature also capped individual income tax rates at 6%.
Proceeds from the new income taxes would be earmarked into a dedicated “quality education fund.” The money would then go into a variety of K-12 programs, including teacher hiring and retention, reducing class sizes, full-day kindergarten and special education services.
Reclaim has until April 29 to gather enough signatures to get the initiative on the November ballot. Under state law, the group must get signatures from at least 6% of registered voters in 18 of the state’s 35 legislative districts.
This translates to roughly 65,000 valid signatures. Reclaim has said it hopes to gather at least 80,000 signatures to ensure it has collected enough valid signatures to meet the thresholds in 18 districts. As of late March, Reclaim said it had collected more than 74,000 signatures.
Click here to read Gilbert’s opinion piece.
4.18.22: What’s up with this Democratic race for governor?
The Democratic gubernatorial primary is surprisingly dramatic.
And Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press took a closer look at the race over the weekend.
She tracked down Stephen Heidt of Marsing — the only Democratic candidate on the May 17 primary ballot.
Heidt, 61, is an English as a second language teacher in the state prison system. He ran for Congress on the Republican ticket in Utah and Washington three decades ago, but those campaigns didn’t go far, Russell reported. He will retire from teaching on April 29 — two years earlier than originally planned — so that he can speak candidly about politics.
“I feel that if the campaign is run properly, that I could actually win the election,” Heidt told Russell.
But first, Heidt must win the nomination against two write-in candidates.
Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad is running on the write-in route because he did not qualify for the ballot. That’s because Rognstad had failed to switch his party affiliation from Republican to Democratic.
David Reilly is also running as a write-in. Reilly ran for a Post Falls school board seat last fall — an unsuccessful run that drew national attention, due to Reilly’s history of anti-Semitic tweets and ties to the 2017 “Unite the Right” white separatist rally in Charlottesville, Va. Reilly ran for the nonpartisan school board race with the endorsements of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee. The state Democratic Party has disavowed Reilly.
The write-in rules: If Heidt gets the most votes, he wins the nomination. Rognstad or Reilly could win if they receive the most votes — and receive more than 1,000 votes.