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.

4.15.22: Little refuses to debate ahead of GOP primary

Gov. Brad Little is refusing to debate challengers in the runup to the May 17 Republican primary.

Little has turned down two debates: one that would have aired on Idaho Public Television, and a second hosted by KTVB in Boise.

The Idaho Debates — the partnership that sponsors the Idaho Public Television debates — announced the news late Friday afternoon. In a statement Friday, the Little campaign described  the incumbent’s four-year record as “non-debatable.”

“Brad Little is hands-down the most accessible governor in Idaho history. He has made it a priority to meet with Idaho families, businesses, and members of the press. Idahoans know what Gov. Little stands for,” the campaign said.

However, Little is the first sitting governor in more than 30 years to refuse to take part in the Idaho Debates.

“Idaho Public Television reaches nearly every household in the state, and we know from past comments that many Republican primary voters rely on debates to inform their decisions at the ballot box,” said Idaho Public Television reporter and “Idaho Reports” host Melissa Davlin, the moderator of the Idaho Debates.

The Idaho Public Television gubernatorial debate might still take place — even without Little. Two other Republicans, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin and Eagle businessman Ed Humphreys, had met the debates’ criteria for staging an active campaign, and had agreed to participate. But those commitments were made before Little officially backed out.

The Idaho Debates partnership will host debates featuring multiple candidates.

McGeachin was quick to criticize Little Friday afternoon.

“(Idaho Public Television) has confirmed it is not a scheduling conflict, rather (Little) just doesn’t want to debate,” McGeachin said in a tweet. “Once again, he is showing his elitist attitude by refusing to address his record.”

Humphreys blasted Little ahead of the announcement, in a Thursday evening statement criticizing his reluctance to debate.

“Any elected officials who are truly acting in citizens’ best interest should be proud of their accomplishments and be willing to stand by them,” he said. “I hope that the governor will participate in the electoral process in a more meaningful way than 30-second ads that are paid for by multinational corporations. It’s time to answer some fair questions!”

Little is the third statewide candidate this week to refuse to participate in debates ahead of the GOP primary.

Earlier Friday, state Rep. Priscilla Giddings of White Bird withdrew from a lieutenant governor’s candidate debate with House Speaker Scott Bedke of Oakley. Giddings said she would not participate unless she had a list in advance of reporters on the debate panel. That debate, originally scheduled for Monday, has now been canceled.

On Monday, U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson refused to take part in an Idaho Public Television debate with his Republican challenger, Idaho Falls attorney Bryan Smith.

A partnership between the Idaho Press Club, Idaho Public Television, the League of Women Voters of Idaho and the state’s public universities, the Idaho Debates have three debates scheduled later this month.

The Republican candidates for attorney general will square off Tuesday. The GOP candidates for superintendent of public instruction will appear on April 25. The Republicans vying for secretary of state will debate on April 26.

Each debate will air at 8 p.m. MDT.

4.15.22: Giddings withdraws from statewide televised debate

State Rep. Priscilla Giddings has withdrawn from a lieutenant governor’s candidate debate, which had been scheduled to air statewide Monday night.

The Idaho Public Television debate is now canceled.

Giddings, a White Bird Republican, had originally agreed to debate House Speaker Scott Bedke of Oakley. But Giddings backed out after debate organizers would not give her an advance list of reporters on the panel.

“The decision to withhold the names of the panelists on the false pretense that this will suddenly make them fair and respectful leaves us with very little choice,” Giddings campaign spokesman Zach Lautenschlager wrote in a Friday email, released by debate organizers. “We are forced to refuse the invitation.”

“The Idaho Debates partners don’t reveal reporters on the panel to any candidate in advance,” said Melissa Davlin of Idaho Public Television, who had been scheduled to moderate the debate. “This is so campaigns can’t pick and choose who asks questions of them. We tried to work with the Giddings campaign within the parameters of our rules.”

With Giddings out, the debate is canceled — since only one candidate, Bedke, had agreed to participate. The Idaho Debates partnership does not hold debates with a single candidate.

A third Republican on the ballot, Daniel Gasiorowski of Placerville, did not respond to an invitation to debate, Davlin said Friday.

This is the second statewide debate to fall by the wayside this week. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson has refused to participate in an Idaho Public Television debate with challenger Bryan Smith; organizers canceled this debate Monday.

Three other debates remain on the 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 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.

4.13.22: Humphreys files police report over vandalized signs

Stolen or defaced campaign signs are something of a perennial election story.

But Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Humphreys this week filed a police report over damaged campaign signs. Clark Corbin of Idaho Capital Sun has the story.

“I will not be bullied into silence and I intend to continue my campaign for governor of Idaho,” Humphreys, an Eagle Republican, said in a written statement.

Ada County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Patrick Orr confirmed the Humphreys team filed a report Monday. Four signs were damaged along State Street between Star and Eagle. Each sign is valued at about $80.

4.11.22: McGeachin endorses figure in Bundy ranch standoff

Calling him “a true fighter for our constitutional rights,” GOP gubernatorial candidate Janice McGeachin is endorsing a legislative candidate who had served prison time after an armed standoff with federal agents.

Todd Engel of Ponderay was convicted after a 2014 standoff at Cliven Bundy’s Nevada ranch. Engel served more than four years in federal prison after he was convicted of obstruction of justice and interstate travel in aid of extortion. The federal government later dropped the charges and Engel’s conviction was overturned. (More here, from the Associated Press.)

Fast forward to the 2022 election — and McGeachin’s Friday endorsement.

“Todd Engel has endlessly shown that he is a fighter for our constitutional rights,” said McGeachin in a tweet.

Engel is running for a House seat in legislative District 1, the state’s northernmost legislative district. He is opposing Rep. Sage Dixon, R-Ponderay, a four-term lawmaker who chaired a House Ethics Committee that recommended sanctions against Rep. Priscilla Giddings, a GOP lieutenant governor’s candidate, and former Rep. Aaron Von Ehlinger.

4.6.22: Critchfield issues list of legislative endorsements

State superintendent’s candidate Debbie Critchfield is touting a list of 27 endorsements — accounting for more than a quarter of the 2022 Legislature.

The list includes the four members of Senate GOP leadership: President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, Senate Majority Leader Kelly Anthon, Assistant Majority Leader Abby Lee and Caucus Chair Mark Harris. Also on the list are the retiring co-chairs of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee — Sen. Steve Bair and Rep. Rick Youngblood — and Bair’s successor, Sen. Jeff Agenbroad.

“Debbie is an outstanding leader who actually listens and considers all sides to develop a reasonable solution,” said Rep. Judy Boyle, one of four House Education Committee members endorsing Critchfield. “She is a genuine advocate for students and families, who will be a true independent voice as state superintendent. Idaho has needed that voice for a long time.”

Critchfield, a former State Board of Education president from Oakley, is one of three Republicans seeking the state superintendent’s nomination, along with two-term incumbent Sherri Ybarra and former legislator Branden Durst.

Here’s the list of Critchfield legislative endorsements:

• Jeff Agenbroad, Nampa; Kelly Anthon, Burley; Carl Crabtree, Grangeville; Mark Harris, Soda Springs; Abby Lee, Fruitland; Jim Rice, Caldwell; Chuck Winder, Boise; and Jim Woodward, Sagle.
• Retiring Sens. Steve Bair, Blackfoot; and Lee Heider, Twin Falls.
• Judy Boyle, Midvale; Marco Erickson, Idaho Falls; Rod Furniss, Rigby; Linda Wright Hartgen, Twin Falls; Laurie Lickley, Jerome; Dustin Manwaring, Pocatello; Lori McCann, Lewiston; John Vander Woude, Nampa; Jon Weber, Rexburg; and Julie Yamamoto, Caldwell.
• Retiring Reps. Randy Armstrong, Inkom; Marc Gibbs, Grace; Clark Kauffman, Filer; Gary Marshall, Idaho Falls; Caroline Nilsson Troy, Genesee; Fred Wood, Burley; and Rick Youngblood, Nampa.

4.6.22: How Idaho Business for Education graded the 2022 Legislature

Nearly half of the state’s lawmakers received a perfect grade on Idaho Business for Education’s report card on the 2022 Legislature.

IBE based its legislative scorecard on five laws that passed this session: the higher education budget; a literacy law that could expand all-day kindergarten; an incentive program for teachers in rural and high-poverty districts; funding for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship; and funding for $15 million in federal child care grants.

Lawmakers received 20 percentage points for each yes vote.

In addition, House Education Committee members received 20 percentage points if they voted against a state-funded private school scholarship bill — or lost 20 percentage points if they supported it. House Education killed the bill.

All told, 44 lawmakers received a 100% score, and seven House Education members scored 120%.

Meanwhile, eight lawmakers scored 0%, and three House Education members came in at minus 20%.

The full scores are available here.

But here are the scores for lawmakers on the Legislature’s education committees:

Senate Education Committee: Chairman Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, 80%; Vice Chairman Dave Lent, R-Idaho Falls, 80%; Robert Blair, R-Kendrick, 100%; David Nelson, D-Moscow, 100%; Janie Ward-Engelking, D-Boise, 100%; Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, 100%; Carl Crabtree, R-Grangeville, 80%; Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, 60%; Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian, 60%.

All nine Senate Education members are seeking re-election in 2022.

House Education: Chairman Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls, 120%; Vice Chair Ryan Kerby, R-New Plymouth, 120%; Steve Berch, D-Boise, 120%; Lori McCann, R-Lewiston, 120%; John McCrostie, D-Garden City, 120%; Sally Toone, D-Gooding, 120%; Julie Yamamoto, R-Caldwell, 120%; Gary Marshall, R-Idaho Falls, 80%; Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, 40%; Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, 20%; Codi Galloway, R-Boise, 20%; Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d’Alene, 20%; Gayann DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, -20%; Dorothy Moon, R-Stanley, -20%; Tony Wisniewski, R-Post Falls, -20%.

Three House Education members — Marshall, McCrostie and Toone — are not seeking re-election. Moon is running for secretary of state. Galloway is running for state Senate in her legislative district.

3.31.22: Virginia-based group targets Wasden

A Virginia group is wading into Idaho’s attorney general race, saying Republican incumbent Lawrence Wasden has been a no-show on several issues.

Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press wrote Wednesday about the campaign from Americans for Limited Government, a libertarian-leaning, Fairfax, Va.-based group.

The group has sent out campaign mailers and launched a text message blitz against Wasden, Russell reported. On a “Where’s Waldo?”-themed whereswasden.com website, the group criticizes the 20-year incumbent on several issues — from refusing to fight an Obama administration order on transgender school bathrooms to refusing to oppose the first impeachment of President Trump.

“When we needed Attorney General Lawrence Wasden to defend Idaho’s values, he was nowhere to be found,” the website reads.

Russell reported the campaign does not mention the two Republicans opposing Wasden in the May 17 primary, former U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador and Coeur d’Alene attorney Art Macomber.

Contacted by Russell Wednesday, Wasden said the campaign is focusing on issues under the purview of Congress.

“They are fostering an intentional misunderstanding about the duties of the attorney general,” Wasden told Russell. “The primary persons to represent our state in federal issues is our congressional delegation.”

3.29.22: The big-money lieutenant governor’s race

Scott Bedke’s lieutenant governor’s run passed a milestone Tuesday: The House speaker reported raising more than $500,000 for his campaign.

Rep. Priscilla Giddings has raised nearly as much: more than $486,000, as of Tuesday.

It’s no surprise that this has become a big-money race: the primary is a clear showdown between the moderate and conservative factions of the House.

Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Terri Pickens Manweiler has already raised nearly $126,000 for her campaign, and she’s unopposed in the May 17 primary.

One more number of note: Under a bill awaiting Gov. Brad Little’s signature, the lieutenant governor would make $52,990 a year for part-time work, starting in January.

(More about the statewide fundraising from Kelcie Moseley-Morris of the Idaho Capital Sun.)

3.28.22: David Reilly launches write-in gubernatorial bid

Another candidate is launching a write-in campaign for governor on the Democratic ticket.

The candidate has ties to the GOP — and a history of anti-Semitic tweets.

David Reilly of Post Falls has filed write-in paperwork and updated his campaign website to reflect his run for governor. The website makes scant reference to the Democratic Party, and no reference to his unsuccessful run for Post Falls school board in November.

Reilly garnered the endorsement of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, but lost in the nonpartisan trustee’s race. His campaign — and his past, including his anti-Semitic comments and his ties to the 2017 “Unite The Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va., — drew national media attention.

State Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea denounced Reilly’s write-in campaign Monday.

“David J. Reilly, and the hateful beliefs he has espoused for years, have no place in our great state much less the Idaho Democratic Party,” Necochea said. “I’m confident that Democrats will show Reilly just how unwelcome he is on May 17, when he will once again lose at the ballot box.”

Sandpoint mayor Shelby Rognstad formally launched his write-in bid for governor last week. Rognstad attempted to file as a Democratic candidate on March 11, the last day of the filing period, but he was denied a spot on the ballot, since he was a registered Republican voter who had not changed his party affiliation.

The only Democrat on the May 17 ballot is Stephen Heidt of Marsing.

A write-in can qualify for a spot on the November ballot by winning the primary, and receiving at least 1,000 votes statewide.

3.25.22: Picking up on House floor grievances, Giddings rips ‘Business-As-Usual Bedke’

In a fundraising email this week, Republican lieutenant governor’s candidate Priscilla Giddings aired the House conservatives’ grievances against GOP House Speaker Scott Bedke.

The fundraiser picks up on many themes from the House in 2022, criticizing Bedke for blocking votes on conservatives’ bills to eliminate the grocery tax or reduce the gas tax.

“We cannot allow Business-As-Usual Bedke to have even more power in Boise. Now is not the time to have a leader who plays games and has his hands in the pockets of corporations’ lobbyists,” Giddings wrote. “It’s clear we are being led by career politicians who want government dependence over a thriving economy, both at a state and federal level.”

If the complaints about Bedke’s leadership this session sound familiar, they should. Giddings’ conservative allies in the House have repeatedly used procedural moves to try to force votes on their bills — moves opposed by Bedke and the rest of House leadership.

For a better explanation of the mechanics, here’s a story from James Dawson of Boise State Public Radio.

Giddings, of White Bird, Bedke, of Oakley, and Placerville Republican Daniel Gasiorowski will square off in the May 17 lieutenant governor’s primary.

3.23.22: ‘The mire of side show theatrics:’ Bedke rips McGeachin

Scott Bedke isn’t running against Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, but he is using McGeachin as a fundraising foil.

In a new campaign email, the Republican lieutenant governor’s candidate links to a recent TV interview, when KTVB reporter Brian Holmes grilled McGeachin about her recent appearance at a conference organized by white nationalist Nick Fuentes.

McGeachin walked off, ending the four-minute interview.

“We need conservative leadership that will focus on the needs of Idaho to deliver real results for Idahoans and not be pulled into the mire of side show theatrics,” Bedke wrote.

I also asked Bedke about McGeachin’s appearance, and the state Republican Party’s cautious response, during a recent podcast interview. (You can listen to that exchange, about 20 minutes in, or you can listen to the entire interview.)

There is at least one statement in Bedke’s fundraising email that will come to fruition: “We need a new lieutenant governor.”

That will happen, of course, since McGeachin is running for governor.

Bedke, the House speaker from Oakley, is one of five candidates for lieutenant governor, joining Rep. Priscilla Giddings, R-White Bird; Daniel Gasiorowski, a Placerville Republican; Terri Pickens Manweiler, a Boise Democrat; and Pro-Life (formerly known as Marvin Richardson), a Constitution Party candidate from Emmett.

3.21.22: Rognstad will run as a write-in

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Shelby Rognstad says he is running as a write-in candidate.

The Sandpoint mayor made his announcement on social media Monday, 10 days after the secretary of state’s office said Rognstad was ineligible for the Democratic ballot. Rognstad had failed to change his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat before filing for office, according to state elections officials.

Friday is the deadline for candidates to file as a write-in candidate.

In order to win the Democratic nomination in the May 17 primary, Rognstad must defeat the only candidate on the party ballot, Stephen Heidt of Marsing, and get at least 1,000 votes statewide.

More on the story from Ruth Brown of Idaho Public Television’s “Idaho Reports.”

3.18.22: What Rognstad’s next move?

In an email to supporters Friday, Democratic gubernatorial candidate-in-limbo Shelby Rognstad said he expects his ballot status to be resolved.

But he didn’t say how that might happen.

“There are a lot of paths forward to continue our campaign for governor, and I’m confident that with everyone’s hard work, we will have a favorable outcome next week,” Rognstad said.

The Sandpoint mayor’s election was thrown into turmoil last week, when the secretary of state’s office said Rognstad was ineligible to run on the Democratic ticket. The reason, as Melissa Davlin of Idaho Public Television’s “Idaho Reports” reported Saturday, is that Rognstad was a registered Republican.

The secretary of state’s office has stuck by its decision, and on Monday, Rognstad said the ruling is based on “a technicality that has no basis in Idaho law.” (Details from Kelcie Moseley-Morris of Idaho Capital Sun.)

If Rognstad does not contest the decision in court, he has at least one other option. He can file as a write-in candidate, and win the Democratic nomination that way.

Here’s how that works.

First, Rognstad would have to declare a write-in campaign. The deadline is March 25.

Second, he would have to defeat the one Democratic gubernatorial candidate on the ballot, Stephen Heidt of Marsing.

Third, Rognstad would have to get at least 1,000 votes in the May 17 primary. In other words, simply defeating Heidt isn’t enough. (That 1,000-vote requirement is unique to statewide races, and the threshold varies from office to office. For example, write-in candidates for county office need receive only five votes.)

3.17.22: McGeachin lays out platform, decries Little’s pandemic response

Our story from Thursday, March 17:

Ramping up her criticisms of Gov. Brad Little, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin Thursday released a checklist of 10 priorities for her first 100 days in office.

Several education items landed on the broad-ranging list. The checklist included several recurring themes from the Republican’s campaign — including a pledge to “end the threat of medical tyranny,” a push for a 50-state forensic audit of the 2020 presidential election and a pledge to repeal the sales tax on groceries.

And, again, McGeachin criticized Little’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, saying the state’s policies have hurt businesses and families.

“Even if my opponent is not incompetent, he is certainly indifferent,” McGeachin said during a news conference in front of the Statehouse. “He’s indifferent to the suffering of Idaho’s families, who saw schools closed, proms cancelled and sport seasons called off, leaving many children and young people isolated and depressed.”

Flanked by supporters on the Statehouse steps, McGeachin touched on several education themes, but did not go into many details.

• She pledged to push for school choice. “We must strengthen families by giving parents greater control over their children’s education dollars.” The House Education Committee this year rejected an education savings accounts bill — the most high-profile school choice proposal of the year.
• She promised to protect children, by “getting obscene materials out of our schools and our libraries.” The House passed a bill that would have left librarians and school employees subject to jail time for disseminating “harmful materials” to children. The Senate is not expected to take it up.
• McGeachin pledged to reopen the University of Idaho’s School of Mines, “so our own sons and daughters have the technological know-how to achieve energy independence, here in Idaho.” The school was closed during a 2002 budget crisis.
• McGeachin also made a vague reference to the cost of growth. “We will make the get-rich-quick builders pay for new schools, roads and infrastructure.” School impact fees have been a recurring topic in education circles, but the Legislature has never acted on the idea.

The ‘Black Hole Award’

On Thursday, the Society of Professional Journalists gave McGeachin its annual “Black Hole Award,” for her refusal to release comments to her 2021 education task force.

Idaho Education News, the Idaho Capital Sun and the Idaho Statesman requested the comments last spring. McGeachin’s office refused to release the documents in unedited form, and sought to redact the names, email addresses and personally identifying information of commenters.

The Idaho Press Club sued, and in August, a district judge ordered McGeachin to release the comments in full. The comments were overwhelmingly in opposition to her task force, Idaho Capital Sun reported in October.

Asked about Thursday’s SPJ announcement, McGeachin again sought to shift the blame to the media, for refusing to pay $500 or more for the redacted documents.

“It’s the press that actually cost taxpayer dollars,” McGeachin said Thursday. “They could have simply agreed to pay the fee, which is also prescribed in the law.”

The SPJ, a national organization, issues its “Black Hole Award” to mark Sunshine Week, an annual event recognizing the importance of government transparency.

3.11.22 (9:40 a.m.): Two House shakeups on JFAC

We’ll have much more news through the day on the campaign filing front, but here’s some news on the non-filing front.

The ranking House Republicans on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee are stepping down.

House Chairman Rick Youngblood, R-Nampa, had filed paperwork to run for a sixth term, but later withdrew. He is endorsing two local firefighters — including Jason Knopp, a Melba school trustee — for the two open House seats in District 23, Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press reported Thursday.

“I’ve been telling people that the House is on fire so I had to go find two firemen to help put it out,” Youngblood told Russell.

Meanwhile, House Vice Chair Caroline Nilsson Troy, R-Genesee, will not seek a fifth House term, KLEW-TV in Lewiston reported Thursday.

Redistricting put Troy in a crowded legislative District 6, along with House incumbents Lori McCann of Lewiston and Brandon Mitchell of Moscow.

“I really like the new district,” Troy told KLEW. “There was just one too many of us.”

Two takeaways:

• This means at least 21 of the House’s 70 members will not seek re-election this year — either because they’re retiring, or because they’re seeking another office.
• This creates openings for two plum assignments on JFAC, the Legislature’s powerful budget-writing committee. Those assignments will be carved up in early December — after two rounds of elections, and after the House elects a new speaker.

Check in for more updates Friday. The filing period draws to a close at 5 p.m.

3.10.22: A Thursday filing roundup

As the candidate filing deadline approaches, here are a few noteworthy items on the legislative front:

• A much-anticipated House GOP rematch is on in Madison County. Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg, filed for re-election Wednesday. He will face former Rep. Britt Raybould, R-Rexburg. Nate defeated Raybould in 2020; Round Two could be one of the most interesting primaries in Idaho.
• In West Boise, a Senate GOP primary should be intriguing as well. Rep. Codi Galloway has filed to take on incumbent Sen. Fred Martin in legislative District 15. A third Republican is in that mix as well: Dorothy Greeenzang. Awaiting the GOP nominee is Boise Democrat Rick Just; Martin defeated Just in 2020.
• Kevin Andrus, R-Lava Hot Springs, filed for a House seat in Southeast Idaho’s legislative District 35. He’ll face Soda Springs Republican Jon Goode, who has the endorsement of one of the four sitting House members in District 35, retiring Rep. Marc Gibbs, R-Grace. District 35 Rep. Chad Christensen, R-Ammon, has filed for the district’s other House seat, as has Ammon Republican Josh Wheeler. No word yet from the district’s other sitting lawmaker, Rep. Randy Armstrong, R-Inkom.
• Jason Knopp — a Melba school trustee, and president of the Idaho School Boards Association — has filed for an open House seat in legislative District 23. Three other Republicans are in the race: Melissa Durrant, Tyson Garten and Michael Law, all of Kuna.
• Another school trustee is running for the House: Caldwell School Board member Marisela Pesina. She will run in a rare contested Democratic primary, facing Toni Ferro of Caldwell. They’re running in legislative District 11.

3.9.22: A contested House primary in District 22

Suburban Ada County’s legislative District 22 threw four sitting House members together.

The races are taking shape.

First-term Rep. Greg Ferch, R-Boise, filed for a House race against six-term House member John Vander Woude, R-Meridian.

At least for now, this is the only contested GOP primary in District 22. Sen. Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian, and Rep. Jason Monks, R-Meridian, are now unopposed. And the fourth sitting House member in 22, Rep. Steven Harris, R-Meridian, has said he will not seek re-election.

In statewide filings news, Terry Gilbert wasn’t on the radar, but he has filed for state superintendent on the Democratic ticket. Other recent Republican statewide filings were expected: former State Board of Education President Debbie Critchfield filed for state superintendent, and state Rep. Priscilla Giddings of White Bird filed for lieutenant governor.

3.9.22: Boise Democrat, former IEA president files for state superintendent

Our story from Wednesday, March 9:

Days before the candidate filing deadline, the Democratic Party finally has a candidate for superintendent of public instruction.

Terry Gilbert — a Boise resident and former Idaho Education Association president — has filed for the post.

He joins three Republicans in the race: incumbent state superintendent Sherri Ybarra, former State Board of Education president Debbie Critchfield, and Branden Durst, a former Democratic legislator running on the GOP ticket.

If he’s nominated — and he is the only Democrat now in the race — Gilbert would face the Republican nominee in the November general election.

“Idaho’s strong and successful communities start with our children’s schools. I am running to give a voice to the Idaho parents, students, teachers, and support personnel who are weary of those in power failing year after year to live up to their constitutional duty to fund public education,” Gilbert said in a news release Wednesday.

“Too many of our current leaders are asking the wrong questions about education. Their answers result in a standardized test-driven model that suppresses student creativity, initiative, and learning. Our children deserve an outstanding education system that will prepare them to be thoughtful, ethically driven citizens and to have rewarding and well-paying careers.”

A graduate of Northwest Nazarene University, Gilbert began his education career in 1967 in Marsing. He later taught secondary-level English in rural Washington state and in the Nampa School District.

He was elected IEA president in 1977, and later served as the union’s regional director in Twin Falls and Meridian area, and as the IEA’s director of organizational development.

Gilbert’s announcement gives the Democrats a candidate in the one statewide office the party has won in the past two decades, when Marilyn Howard was re-elected in 2002.

Since then, other Democrats have come close to winning the superintendent’s race:

• Jana Jones captured 49% of the vote in 2006, losing to Republican Tom Luna.
• Jones again received 49% support in 2014, losing to Ybarra by about 5,500 votes.
• Four years later, Cindy Wilson received 48% support, losing to Ybarra by about 17,500 votes.

The candidate filing period closes at 5 p.m. Friday.

3.8.22: Lee joins crowded GOP race in District 9

A redrawn legislative district along the Idaho-Oregon border will be worth watching this spring.

Sen. Abby Lee, R-Fruitland, filed for re-election Tuesday. She’ll be seeking a fifth Senate term in legislative District 9.

Lee, the GOP’s assistant majority leader, has plenty of company on the primary ballot. Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee Chairman Jim Rice, R-Caldwell, has filed for a seventh term.

The redistricting process threw the two incumbents into the same district.

And two other Republicans have filed for the Senate seat: Jordan Marques of Payette and Kayla Dunn, a member of Power2Parent Union, a parental rights group.

According to the secretary of state office’s candidate list, Dunn lists a Boise post office box as a mailing address. However, all candidates must provide proof that they live in a legislative district.

District 9 also has a contested House primary involving a pair of Republican incumbents: Judy Boyle of Midvale and Scott Syme of Wilder.

3.7.22: Raybould files paperwork for rematch with Nate

Former Rep. Britt Raybould filed campaign paperwork Monday — setting the stage for a rematch with sitting Rep. Ron Nate.

Raybould, a Rexburg Republican, served in the House in 2019 and 2020, sitting on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. Nate, R-Rexburg, unseated Raybould in the 2020 GOP primary to return to the House. Nate now sits on JFAC, where he has entrenched himself as a conservative hardliner.

Nate has also crossed swords with House leadership, repeatedly pushing for a vote on legislation to repeal the grocery tax. The bill remains held in a House committee.

“(Nate) pulls political stunts on the House floor that waste taxpayer dollars,” Raybould said in a news release. “His bills remain stuck in committee because he lacks the leadership to secure enough votes to move legislation through the process. Instead of doing the work, Ron blames House leaders and chairmen for his problems.”

Nate has not formally filed for re-election.

In other campaign news, two senators serving on JFAC and the Senate Education Committee have filed for re-election.

Sen. Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, will seek a third term. He has a primary opponent, Bonner County Republican Central Committee Chairman Scott Herndon.

Sen. Carl Crabtree, R-Grangeville, will seek a fourth term. He already has two primary challengers: Cindy Carlson of Riggins, and Keith Stuffle of Lewiston.

The candidate filing period closes at 5 p.m. Friday.

3.4.22: A Friday filing roundup

There weren’t any surprises Friday, as the first week of the two-week candidate filing period drew to a close.

Here are a few notable filings:

Branden Durst. The former Democratic legislator made it official, filing for the state superintendent’s race on the GOP ticket. He joins Republican incumbent Sherri Ybarra in the field. Former State Board of Education President Debbie Critchfield hasn’t yet filed. No Democrats have filed for the seat.

Scott Bedke. Also making it official, the House speaker entered the Republican race for lieutenant governor. And he announced some endorsements Friday, from the GOP Senate leadership team: President Pro Tem Chuck Winder of Boise; Majority Leader Kelly Anthon of Burley; Assistant Majority Leader Abby Lee of Fruitland; and Caucus Chair Mark Harris of Soda Springs.

Bedke joins Boise Democrat Terri Pickens Manweiler and perennial candidate Pro-Life (formerly known as Marvin Richardson), running on the Constitution Party ticket. State Rep. Priscilla Giddings hasn’t yet filed.

Dan Foreman. The former state senator joins a crowded Senate field in District 6. The Viola Republican joins Sen. Robert Blair, a Kendrick Republican who was appointed to the Senate this session, and Moscow Republican Jen Seegmiller. Sen. David Nelson of Moscow is running on the Democratic ticket.

A conservative hardliner, Foreman served in the Senate in 2017 and 2018.

3.3.22: Another primary showdown, and a big retirement

Let’s catch up on several items from the candidate filing front:

Another incumbent showdown. Reps. Judy Boyle of Midvale and Scott Syme of Wilder will square off in the May 17 Republican primary.

Redistricting has thrust the two incumbents into the remapped legislative District 9. (A third incumbent, Rep. Ryan Kerby, R-New Plymouth, has already filed for the other House seat. Meanwhile, there are already two Republican Senate candidates for District 9: Sen. Jim Rice of Caldwell and Jordan Marques of Payette.)

Boyle, a member of the House Education Committee, is in her seventh legislative term.

Syme, a member of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, is in his third term.

Harris retires. A significant retirement in the Treasure Valley: Rep. Steven Harris, R-Meridian, will not seek re-election.

Harris has served 10 years in the House. He now chairs the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, and before that, had served as chairman of the House State Affairs Committee.

Harris’ move eases some of the logjam in the reconfigured legislative District 22. Three Republican House members live in 22: John Vander Woude of Nampa, Jason Monks of Nampa and Greg Ferch of Boise. Vander Woude and Monks have filed for re-election; Ferch has not.

A rematch. Former state Rep. Jerald Raymond of Menan will take on Rep. Karey Hanks, R-St. Anthony, in the GOP primary.

That’s a familiar matchup. Hanks defeated Raymond in the 2020 primary to return to the Legislature.

The filing period runs through March 11. Check back for updates.

3.2.22: Thayn to seek re-election, face Grow in GOP primary

Senate Education Committee Chairman Steven Thayn is seeking a ninth term in the Legislature.

And he’ll be running in what figures to be heated GOP primary against Sen. C. Scott Grow.

The redistricting process put Thayn, R-Emmett, and Grow, R-Eagle, into a redrawn legislative District 14, which takes in Gem County and northwest Ada County.

It’s a considerably different district for Thayn. For the past decade, he has represented a sprawling Central Idaho district that lumped Gem County together with Boise, Custer, Lemhi and Valley counties. Those counties are now split off into different legislative districts.

Thayn has been in the Senate for 10 years, after serving six years in the House. He has been the Senate Education chairman for the past two sessions.

Grow has been in the Senate for six years, and sits on the budget-writing Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.

Thayn is one of several Senate and House education committee members who have filed for re-election. That list includes:

• House Education Committee Chairman Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls.
• House Education Vice Chairman Ryan Kerby, R-New Plymouth.
• Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d’Alene.
• Julie Yamamoto, R-Caldwell.
• Steve Berch, D-Boise.
• Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian.
• Robert Blair, R-Kendrick.
• David Nelson, D-Moscow.
• Janie Ward-Engelking, D-Boise.

Check back for updates throughout the filing period, which runs through March 11.

3.1.22: Vick announces retirement, endorses Okuniewicz

Sen. Steve Vick will not seek re-election, and the North Idaho conservative is endorsing Rep. Doug Okuniewicz to take his place.

“I don’t believe that being a legislator was meant to be a career, and now I am excited with the prospect of spending more time with my family and enjoying the wonderful life that we share with all of our neighbors in North Idaho,” Vick, R-Dalton Gardens, said in a news release Tuesday.

Vick has served 12 years in the Senate.

Okuniewicz, R-Hayden, is in his second year in the House.

I am humbled and truly grateful for Sen. Vick’s endorsement,” Okuniewicz said Tuesday. “Although I have truly enjoyed my time in the Idaho House of Representatives, I look forward to this new challenge.”

With Tuesday’s news, at least 10 of Idaho’s 35 senators are leaving at the end of this term — to retire or to seek another office. And at least nine House members will be running for state Senate.

2.28.22: Day One candidate filing news

The first set of candidate filings came late Monday afternoon.

Here’s what we saw:

Statewide races. No big surprises. Several Republican incumbents filed for re-election: Sen. Mike Crapo; state superintendent Sherri Ybarra; Attorney General Lawrence Wasden; and Controller Brandon Woolf.

Legislature. Again, no big surprises. Several candidacies we’ve reported about before. Two Senate Education Committee incumbents, Kendrick Republican Robert Blair and Moscow Democrat David Nelson, both filed in reconfigured District 6. Republicans Laurie Lickley of Jerome and Eric Parker of Hailey filed for the Senate race in District 26. Boise teacher Soñia Galaviz is running for a House seat in legislative District 16, on the Democratic ticket.

What to watch for. We’ve been watching the potential exodus from the House to the Senate. Lickley is among seven House members who have announced plans to run for the Senate. There could be more: Reps. Terry Gestrin, R-Donnelly, and Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, have filed paperwork naming campaign treasurers for a Senate run. That isn’t a formal filing, but it is a precursor to filing for office.

Redistricting threw both Gestrin and Nichols into crowded legislative districts with a glut of House incumbents. Their moves could sidestep contested primaries involving House incumbents.

The filing period runs through Friday, March 11. Check here daily for updates, and check back on March 11 for a full roundup. 

2.28.22: Bayer to retire from Senate

As the candidate filing period opens, another sitting senator is stepping aside.

Sen. Regina Bayer, R-Meridian, says she will not seek a third term.

But in a statement Monday, she suggested she is not completely satisfied with the Republican who has announced for her Senate seat, Meridian City Council member Treg Bernt.

“Since the filing period begins today for the primary election, I hope this timely announcement will give the right person the opportunity to file a candidacy,” Bayer said. “There is much work that needs to be done and I’m hopeful someone that reflects my conservative values will step forward to run for my seat representing the voters of legislative District 21.”

The filing period runs through March 11. (Check back here for the latest news.)

With Bayer’s announcement, at least nine of Idaho’s 35 senators will not run for re-election in 2022 — either to retire or to seek another office.

2.24.22: Toone will not seek re-election

Democratic Rep. Sally Toone — a teacher and a member of the House Education Committee — will step down after this term.

“I will continue to passionately support our local communities and schools as I finish my final term,” Toone, D-Gooding, said in a news release Thursday. “But that advocacy won’t end when I leave the Statehouse.”

Toone has served six years in the House. She is a member of House Democratic leadership, serving as minority caucus chairwoman.

Redistricting brought big changes to Toone’s legislative district. She had represented Blaine, Camas, Gooding and Lincoln counties. But Toone’s redrawn district no longer takes in Blaine County, a Democratic stronghold.

At least 15 of the House’s 70 members plan to leave the body — to run for statewide office or the state Senate, or to step aside from state politics altogether.

2.23.22: Gibbs retires, endorses candidate in District 35

The chairman of the House Resources and Conservation Committee is retiring, and he has endorsed a potential successor.

Rep. Marc Gibbs, R-Grace, is supporting Jon Goode, a City Council member from Soda Springs, East Idaho News reported.

Gibbs has served 14 years in the Legislature.

The latest round of redistricting thrust Gibbs into a crowded, remapped legislative District 35. Three other House Republicans — Kevin Andrus of Lava Hot Springs, Randy Armstrong of Inkom and Chad Christensen of Iona — also live in District 35.

In addition, Ammon City Council member Joshua Wheeler is running for a House seat in District 35, East Idaho News reported.

With Gibbs’ retirement, at least 14 of the House’s 70 members plan to leave the body — to run for statewide office or the state Senate, or to step aside from state politics altogether.

2.22.22: Bair announces retirement, endorses VanOrden

Steve Bair, the Senate co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, will not seek re-election.

And Bair, R-Blackfoot, is endorsing his substitute for the 2022 legislative session, Pingree Republican Julie VanOrden.

Bair has been on leave of absence this session, due to an illness in his family. And those considerations weighed into his decision to step aside after 16 years in the Senate.

“Legislators and their families are not immune from illness, and it is that very issue that precludes me from further service in the Idaho Senate,” Bair said in a news release. “My family always comes first, and I need to now serve them.”

In endorsing VanOrden, Bair cited her work as former chair of the House Education Committee. “She has the expertise to represent agriculture, education, and many other issues. She takes a common-sense approach and is not beholden to lobby interests or political entrepreneur groups.”

In a news release, VanOrden said: “With Sen. Bair supporting me I believe I will bring a voice backed up with knowledge and experience to this seat in the Idaho State Senate.”

VanOrden served in the House from 2012 to 2018. She served two years as House Education chair before losing to current Rep. Julianne Young, R-Blackfoot, in the 2018 GOP primary. VanOrden now sits on the Idaho Public Charter School Commission.

With Bair’s decision, at least eight of the Senate’s 35 members will leave the Legislature this year, either to retire or to seek statewide office.

2.21.22: Ybarra to seek third term

Here’s our staff coverage from Feb. 21:

Sherri Ybarra made it official Monday morning: She will seek a third term as state superintendent of public instruction.

Ybarra announced her bid via email, less than three months before the May 17 GOP primary. She will join former State Board of Education President Debbie Critchfield and former legislator Branden Durst on the Republican ballot.

No Democrat has announced for the post. 

“Idahoans deserve to have a teacher’s voice as superintendent – not another politician,” Ybarra said in a news release. “Together we’ve made great progress and Idaho’s schools are on the right track. Today I’m running for re-election because there’s more work to do, and I believe that we can make Idaho a top 10 state in K-12 education!”

Ybarra narrowly won her first election in 2014, beating Democratic candidate Jana Jones by fewer than 6,000 votes to replace Tom Luna. In 2018, she beat Democratic challenger Cindy Wilson, by a slim margin of about 3%.

Incumbency means Ybarra will run with the benefit of name recognition, but it also means she’ll have to run on her track record.

In Monday’s news release, Ybarra touted several successes — including an increase in Idaho’s five-year high school graduation rate, even as the four-year graduation rate has fallen during the pandemic. She cited several victories on the school funding front, including increases for teacher pay and literacy — priorities of Gov. Brad Little and his predecessor, Butch Otter.

In Ybarra’s two terms as state superintendent, student outcomes have been a mixed bag. ISAT scores have inched upward by a percentage point or two each year, while K-3 reading proficiency has been sliding backward, even before the pandemic. Students have also missed at least 33 of 34 achievement benchmarks set by the State Department of Education for at least the first two years after those benchmarks were created, in compliance with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. (See the full breakdown of Idaho’s progress toward those goals, here.)

Ybarra has grappled with her share of controversies, including public battles with other state officials — like last year, when she sued the Legislature for transferring some of her staff, and responsibilities, to the State Board of Education. As a reliable proponent of local control in education, Ybarra has repeatedly taken the approach of supporting districts’ growth over enforcing consequences for shortcomings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she left most school-operating decisions up to local school districts to enforce.

Ybarra has elevated conversations around student social-emotional well-being, but she has struggled to win legislative support for that priority. In early 2020, House Republicans mocked a $1 million proposal for social-emotional learning.

Critchfield reacted to the superintendent’s announcement Monday morning, saying, “Ybarra has been on the campaign trail for months at the taxpayer expense,” and “this just formalizes what she’s already been doing.”

“This would be Ybarra’s third term and Idahoans are desperate for a vision and a leader,” Critchfield told EdNews by email. “The statewide support of our message provides the evidence that eight years was long enough. Parents are frustrated, educators are discouraged and businesses need skilled employees. Idaho deserves a leader that will meet the educational needs of the 21st century. It’s no time for a political victory lap.”

In a direct Twitter message to Idaho EdNews, Durst took aim at both his opponents.

“Critchfield and Ybarra are both establishment, moderates candidates,” Durst wrote. “They want to protect the system at the expense of parents and children. They have both had eight years to end Common Core, stop the infiltration of critical race theory and to advocate for real school choice. They’ve instead acquiesced to Ed Inc. I am grateful for the outpouring of support that I am receiving from conservative Idahoans who know it’s time for a real change in the state superintendency.”

Upon entering the primary, the incumbent trails both her challengers in the fundraising race. Critchfield has reported drawing some $211,800 and holds a $182,700 pot of cash on hand, while Ybarra has raised around $23,500 and holds $13,400 in cash.

Ybarra’s also edged out by Durst, who has reported $32,700 in fundraising, with $7,300 on hand.

If past campaigns are any clue, Ybarra could continue facing a fundraising disadvantage — but that hasn’t stopped her yet. In both 2018 and 2014, Ybarra won despite being far outspent by her Democratic opponents.

2.18.22: Sitting senators could square off in District 6

Sen. Robert Blair, R-Kendrick, will run this fall in the reconfigured legislative District 6.

Blair has been in the Senate this session, substituting for Republican Sen. Dan Johnson, who was elected mayor of Lewiston in November.

Blair announced his election plans Friday; he will formally kick off his campaign at the Statehouse Saturday.

Because of redistricting, that sets up a potential battle with another sitting senator, David Nelson, D-Moscow. Nelson has already announced his plans to seek a third term.

Both Blair and Nelson sit on the Senate Education Committee.

District 6 takes in Latah and Lewis counties, and a portion of Nez Perce County.

2.17.22: Bundy pulls out of GOP primary, will run as independent

Conservative activist Ammon Bundy has dropped out of the Republican race for governor, but not the governor’s race.

Bundy, of Emmett, will instead run as an independent.

He announced his decision over Twitter Thursday, and he took a few digs at Boise radio talk show host Nate Shelman in the process.

On Wednesday, Shelman reported that Bundy and Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin had cut a deal: Bundy agreed to drop out of the GOP primary and endorse McGeachin. According to Shelman’s report, Bundy agreed to drop out of the race entirely, should McGeachin win the May GOP primary, and McGeachin agreed to endorse Bundy, should incumbent Gov. Brad Little win the primary.

Here’s the Bundy statement, in full.

There’s a lot to unwrap here, but three quick reads:

First, Bundy’s move figures to help McGeachin in the primary. Bundy and McGeachin were vying for the same subset of hardline conservatives; the same goes, really, for every Republican challenging Little. The more the field narrows, the more it likely favors McGeachin, the best-known of Little’s adversaries.

Second, by running as an independent, Bundy stays in the political picture until November. His odds of winning the GOP primary were limited, anyway.

Third, there is plenty of scorched earth here. In June, state GOP Chairman Tom Luna disavowed Bundy and his “chaotic political theater.” By describing Idaho’s GOP establishment as “full of filth and corruption,” Bundy isn’t exactly backing down.

Reactions

No statement yet from the Little camp. Here are two other statements:

From McGeachin:  “Today’s announcement … makes it all the more clear that there is only one viable conservative candidate in this race. I am, as I have been throughout my campaign, entirely focused on defeating Brad Little and restoring the principles of State Sovereignty, Individual Liberty, and Traditional Conservative Values in Idaho. I strongly support the Idaho Republican Platform, which so many politicians routinely ignore, and I look forward to conservatives from across the state uniting behind our campaign to Make Idaho Free Again.”

From Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Humphreys: “After speaking to thousands of Idahoans in all corners of this state it’s clear to me that Idahoans are tired of career politicians. My team and I remain committed to offering Republicans in Idaho a choice for bold, new and energetic leadership at the top of the ticket. We have many people who attend our events who have never been involved in politics before. This gives me great hope for our future.”

2.16.22: McCrostie won’t seek re-election

Rep. John McCrostie — a music teacher serving on the House Education Committee — says he will not seek re-election in 2022.

McCrostie, D-Garden City, announced his decision in an email to supporters.

He said he began rethinking his political plans after the fall, after he ran unsuccessfully for a City Council seat in Garden City. He said he considered staying in the House, or running for the Senate, where District 16 Sen. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, is stepping down at the end of his term.

“I still find much joy in my classroom with my budding musicians, and I always look forward to returning to them after the session concludes,” McCrostie wrote. “After eight years in the House, I have not found the same joy with this job that I experienced in earlier years.”

In his letter, McCrostie reflected on his journey to the Legislature — which began during the debate over then-state superintendent Tom Luna’s Students Come First laws, overturned by voters in 2012.

“When I waited in line for eight hours over two days to testify for 30 seconds against the Luna Laws, I never imagined that I would eventually carry over 45 pieces of legislation across the floor of the Idaho House.”

McCrostie’s decision somewhat clears the Democratic field in District 16, a Democratic stronghold that takes in Garden City and northwest Boise.

Former Sen. Ali Rabe, D-Boise, has announced she will run for Senate.

Boise teacher Sonia Galaviz has announced she will run for the House on the Democratic ticket.

District 16 Rep. Colin Nash, D-Boise, has said he will seek a second term.

2.15.22: Prominent Boise teacher eyes run for Legislature

A decorated Boise teacher has filed initial paperwork to run for the Legislature.

Soñia Galaviz is looking at running on the Democratic ticket for a House seat in legislative District 16, which takes in Garden City and portions of Northwest Boise.

Galaviz has appointed a campaign treasurer, a precursor to fundraising, and her treasurer is a big name: former Boise School District Superintendent Don Coberly.

District 16 is a Democratic stronghold, and home to two sitting House incumbents: John McCrostie of Garden City and Colin Nash of Boise. Nash says he is seeking re-election. McCrostie did not immediately respond to a request for comment; he has filed a January fundraising reports, but that doesn’t necessarily mean an incumbent will seek re-election.

Candidates cannot formally file for office until Feb. 28, and the filing period runs through March 11.

Galaviz teaches at Boise’s Garfield Elementary School. In 2017, she received the National Education Association’s Member Benefits Award for Teacher Excellence. She also received a 2016 award from Idaho’s STEM Action Center, for her work in advancing the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and math.

Click here for a 2015 Idaho Education News profile of Galaviz.

2.15.22: Nye won’t seek re-election; Ruchti to run for Senate

Sen. Mark Nye, D-Pocatello, is stepping aside after eight years in the Legislature.

“I have been involved with the law and representing people for some time,” Nye said in a news release Thursday. “Entered school in 1971, and now, that’s over 50 years ago. It’s time to turn the page and start a new chapter.”

Nye served in the House in 2015 and 2016 and has been in the Senate since then.

Rep. James Ruchti, D-Pocatello, will run for Nye’s Senate seat.

Nye is now the sixth senator to announce his departure from the Legislature — either to retire or seek statewide office. And Ruchti is the seventh House member to announce a run for the Senate.

2.8.22: Zito will not seek re-election

Sen. Christy Zito will step down from the Legislature after her current term.

Zito, R-Hammett, is serving her first term in the Senate, after serving two House terms.

Zito will take a job with the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, according to the Idaho Dispatch.  (The Dispatch’s editor and publisher, Greg Pruett, is president of the Second Amendment Alliance.)

Zito’s decision creates a Senate opening in legislative District 8, a redrawn district with four other sitting lawmakers: Republican Reps. Megan Blanksma of Hammett, Matthew Bundy of Mountain Home, Terry Gestrin of Donnelly and Dorothy Moon of Stanley. However, Moon is stepping aside from the Legislature to run for secretary of state.

2.8.22: Hartgen files paperwork for Senate run

Rep. Linda Wright Hartgen has filed campaign finance paperwork for a state Senate run.

Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, is in her second term in the House.

She would run for the Senate in the Magic Valley’s legislative District 25. Six-term Sen. Lee Heider, R-Twin Falls, also lives in District 25. But in December, days after Hartgen announced her plans to run for the Senate, Heider told the Twin Falls Times-News he would not seek re-election.

Hartgen is at least the sixth House Republican looking to move to the Senate, joining Reps. Paul Amador of Coeur d’Alene, Greg Chaney of Caldwell, Ben Adams of Nampa, Codi Galloway of Boise and Laurie Lickley of Jerome.

2.7.22: Stennett will not seek re-election

A significant shakeup in Democratic circles: Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett says she will not seek re-election.

“My time as senator has been an extraordinary and humbling experience for which I am grateful,” Stennett, D-Ketchum, said in a statement Monday. “I will continue to do my best to serve the people of our district and the state until my term ends in December, but will not seek reelection.”

Stennett is in her 12th year in the Legislature, and her 10th year as Senate minority leader.

Stennett’s departure will result in a transition in Democratic leadership. But first, it means Magic Valley Democrats will look for a would-be successor to Stennett — and a candidate to run in a contested race in November.

In late January, Rep. Laurie Lickley, R-Jerome, announced her run for Senate in the Magic Valley’s redrawn legislative District 26. Republican Eric Parker, founder of The Real 3% of Idaho, has also announced his campaign. Stennett defeated Parker in the 2020 election.

2.2.22: Meridian councilman to run for state Senate

Meridian City Council President Treg Bernt says he will run for state Senate, setting up a potential primary race with a sitting lawmaker.

Bernt, re-elected to a second City Council term in November, will run as a Republican in legislative District 21.

Bernt said he was encouraged to run for the Legislature while he was campaigning for City Council. He says voters are frustrated because lawmakers are failing to address issues such as growth and property taxes.

1.31.22: Wood, Kauffman to retire after 2022 session

Two veteran Magic Valley legislators will not seek re-election in 2022.

Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, is retiring after eight terms in the Legislature. The only physician in the Legislature, Wood has held a high-profile post in the House, chairing the Health and Welfare Committee.

“Sixteen years is long enough,” Wood told Audrey Dutton of the Idaho Capital Sun.

Wood’s retirement will create not just a void in House Health and Welfare, but it sets the stage for some contested primary races in the Magic Valley’s legislative District 27. Wood’s seatmate, House Speaker Scott Bedke, is running for lieutenant governor. (The district’s senator is Kelly Anthon, R-Burley, who serves as Senate majority leader.)

According to an Idaho Education News review of campaign finance filings, five District 27 Republicans have filed paperwork naming a campaign treasurer, a precursor to raising money for a race:

• Senate: William Drury.
• House Seat A: Douglas Pickett; Carl Voigt.
• House Seat B: John Stokes; Kevin Williams.

The crowded primaries represent a contrast from 2020. Wood, Anthon and Bedke ran unopposed in the primary and general elections.

Meanwhile, Rep. Clark Kauffman, R-Filer, will step down after 10 years in the House, the Twin Falls Times-News reported last week.

“Life’s priorities change with age, and so have mine,” Kauffman said in a constituent newsletter. “New eyes and views on our ongoing challenges are a good thing.

Kauffman is one of three incumbent lawmakers who live in legislative District 24, along with Sen. Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls, and Rep. Sally Toone, D-Gooding. Three Republicans have filed initial paperwork to run in District 24:

• Senate: Frank Mascari; Glenneda Zuiderveld.
• House Seat A: Chenele Dixon.

The candidate filing period runs from Feb. 28 through March 11.

1.31.22: Lickley to seek Senate seat

After two terms in the House, Rep. Laurie Lickley will run for the state Senate.

“I did not make the decision to run for the Senate lightly,” Lickley told the Twin Falls Times-News last week. “It’s time for me to take in maybe a different demographic than I’ve worked with in the past.”

Lickley is running in a new-look legislative district.

For the past four years, her district took in Jerome County and portions of Twin Falls County. Under the new legislative map — upheld by the state Supreme Court Thursday — her district will include Jerome, Lincoln and Blaine counties.

Blaine County is one of Idaho’s few Democratic strongholds, and home to Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum. Stennett has not announced whether she will seek a seventh term.

1.27.22: Supreme Court upholds redistricting maps

The Idaho Supreme Court has upheld a new legislative map, rejecting four separate lawsuits to toss out the plan.

Here’s a link to the court’s unanimous ruling, issued late Thursday afternoon.

The new map redraws Idaho’s legislative districts to reflect the 2020 Census, and it will now go into effect for the 2022 elections.

A bipartisan commission approved the new map in early November. The court challenges came soon after: from GOP state superintendent’s candidate Branden Durst; from Ada County commissioners; from Spencer Stucki, a Chubbuck resident; and from Chief J. Allan, chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and Devon Boyer, chairman of the Shoshone-Bannock tribes.

More about Thursday’s ruling from Clark Corbin of Idaho Capital Sun.

1.18.22: Rognstad predicts ‘bidding war of crazy ideas’ at Statehouse

In a fundraising video, Sandpoint mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Shelby Rognstad blasted GOP incumbent Brad Little’s rosy State of the State message last week.

The three-minute video was short on details but sharp in tone. Rognstad predicted Little and the Legislature will spend the 2022 session wasting time and taxpayer dollars on “a bidding war of crazy ideas” designed to appeal to GOP primary voters.

“The governor and the Legislature have a clear choice in the coming session. They can get serious about working on the real problems confronting Idaho, like affordability, education and health care, or they can engage in an extremist political theater of the absurd.”

Rognstad, who has served as mayor for six years, said he is seeing several problems unfolding in Sandpoint: employers who cannot fill long-vacant positions, people leaving their hometowns because they can no longer afford to live there, and a “political hatred” that is dividing communities.

“I think we need to be honest,” he said. “We are in trouble, and it’s getting worse.”

Rognstad and Melissa Sue Robinson of Nampa are the Democrats’ two announced gubernatorial candidates.

1.12.22: Democratic Party chair to step down, citing health issues

State Democratic Party head Fred Cornforth will step down this week.

“I am facing a medical condition that will preempt me from functioning as chair of the Idaho Democratic Party,” Cornforth said in a statement Wednesday.

His resignation, effective Saturday, leaves Democrats looking for a successor as the 2022 election year begins.

Cornforth’s full statement follows:

“Today, I have some difficult news to share with you. I am facing a medical condition that will preempt me from functioning as chair of the Idaho Democratic Party. Currently, I am working with Party staff and leadership to transition out of my role as Chair effective January 15th.

“I am full of gratitude for all we’ve done together and I’m frustrated that the fire burning inside of me to serve you and our fellow Idahoans, doesn’t have a clear direction right now. I do know this: the momentum that many of us have observed or have been a part of the last few years is strong and growing in every part of Idaho.

“The people in the Idaho Democratic Party today are bringing leadership and a commitment to our values as Idahoans to a state where it is long overdue. Keep being a part of the dramatic changes we are bringing to our communities and our party and our state. It has been a privilege and one of the greatest honors of my life to serve you as the chair of the Idaho Democratic Party. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and notes. You’ve touched me and my family in ways that words fail to show you how much each of you means to me.

“To a better Idaho, for everyone.”

1.10.22: Jeb Bush praises Little’s education agenda

Janice McGeachin has Donald Trump.

Brad Little has Jeb Bush.

On Monday, Little got a long-distance shoutout from Bush, the former Florida governor and unsuccessful GOP presidential candidate. Bush is founder of ExcelInEd, a nonprofit “that supports state leaders in transforming education to unlock opportunity and lifelong success for each and every child.”

Bush singled out two pillars from Little’s 2022 education budget: A $47 million literacy line item that could allow schools to fund all-day kindergarten; and a $50 million grant program to help parents pay education-related expenses.

“Gov. Little is smartly focusing on the things we know work best: a solid foundation in reading and more flexible learning options for students. In states across the nation, the pandemic has exposed existing challenges for struggling readers and highlighted the need to give parents more power in guiding their child’s education. Gov. Little’s investments in students – not systems – will benefit Idaho’s families and communities and the entire state.”

1.5.22: Crapo to seek fifth U.S. Senate term

Sen. Mike Crapo made it official Wednesday, saying he will seek a fifth U.S. Senate term in 2022.

Crapo was first elected to Congress in 1992, and first elected to the Senate in 1998.

Here’s his statement Wednesday:

“We are in the middle of the most important fight for our future that most of us alive today have experienced. The threats to our values, our way of life and our Constitution itself are intense, extremely well-funded and well-organized. We must rise to that challenge and be heavily engaged in it. I am running for re-election to stay in this fight for a future that assures every American the freedoms so many have fought and died to protect. I will work hard to earn the honor and privilege to continue advocating for Idaho principles and values in the United States Senate.”

According to Federal Election Commission filings, Crapo faces four lesser-known opponents: Republicans Jeremy Gilbert of Boise, Mike Little of Weiser and James Scott Trotter of Lewiston; and unaffiliated candidate Scott Cleveland of Eagle. None of these challengers have reported any fundraising activity. According to the FEC, Crapo’s campaign had nearly $5.4 million in cash on hand on Sept. 30.

12.21.21: The latest from the sunshine reports

Pop quiz: What do U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback John Elway, House Majority Leader Mike Moyle and University of Idaho President C. Scott Green (and his wife) all have in common?

They all make appearances in our latest breakdown of campaign finance reports.

Get all the up-to-date numbers here — including Gov. Brad Little’s startling fundraising haul. (He’s closing in on $1 million in reported contributions, and he hasn’t even made his re-election bid official.

12.21.21: And more from the sunshine reports …

Wondering what really happened in school board elections fundraising last month?

Well, our Blake Jones was curious too. He looked at what the candidates reported — after the fact and post-election. Click here for the details.

12.17.21: Yamamoto, Goedde to co-chair Critchfield campaign

State superintendent’s candidate Debbie Critchfield announced her campaign team Friday.

Her co-chairs are state Rep. Julie Yamamoto, R-Caldwell, a House Education Committee member; and former state Sen. John Goedde, a Coeur d’Alene Republican who had chaired the Senate Education Committee.

“Over my 32 years as a teacher and administrator, the role of our state superintendent of schools increased significantly,” Yamamoto said in a Critchfield campaign news release. “Idaho needs Debbie Critchfield, a strong, principled public servant who understands Idahoans and how to navigate the challenges facing public schools successfully.”

“(Critchfield) will bring a wealth of experience at all levels of education to the state superintendent’s office,” Goedde said in the news release. “She is a conservative Republican that believes in transparency, and she will go the extra mile for Idaho’s children.”

Friday’s announcements aren’t a big surprise. Yamamoto and Goedde have each contributed $1,000 to the Critchfield campaign, as Idaho Education News has previously reported.

Critchfield also announced a roster of regional chairs, including Rep. Marc Gibbs, R-Grace; former Rep. Britt Raybould, R-Rexburg; and Lori Frasure, recently elected to a seat on the West Ada district school board.

Critchfield and former state Rep. Branden Durst are the only announced candidates for state superintendent. Incumbent Sherri Ybarra has not discussed her plans. No Democrat has announced for the position, but the party hopes to have a candidate early in 2022.

12.16.21: A.G.’s candidate drops out, endorses Labrador

Sandpoint Republican D. Colton Boyles has withdrawn from the attorney general’s race, endorsing former gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador in the GOP primary.

“Idahoans demand our next attorney general oppose the unconstitutional power grab coming from our government,” Boyles said in a news release issued by the Labrador camp. “Raúl is a proven conservative who time and again has fought for liberty, taken on the establishment, and won.”

“Colton’s endorsement shows that Idahoans agree we must rally together to have a strong conservative voice in the attorney general’s office,” Labrador said in a news release. “Idahoans are responding to my message that government must remain in the hands of the people as our Constitution intends.”

Earlier this year, Boyles had done legal work on behalf of Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, as she opposed media requests for comments to her education task force. McGeachin eventually lost in court.

But Boyles never reported any fundraising in his statewide race.

His departure leaves three Republicans in the field: Labrador, incumbent Lawrence Wasden and Art Macomber of Coeur d’Alene. There is no announced Democratic candidate.

12.2.21: Critchfield touts apparent fundraising advantage

On Thursday, it was Debbie Critchfield’s turn to tout her fundraising.

The Republican candidate for state schools superintendent says she has raised $150,000 for her campaign.

“Everywhere I travel, I hear the same message: people are ready for change, and they are ready for a new educational leader,” the former State Board of Education president said in a news release.

Candidates don’t have to report all of their contributions to the state until the end of the year. But they do have to report contributions of at least $1,000 within 48 hours.

Those “48-hour” reports indicate Critchfield has maintained a big lead in fundraising.

Critchfield has reported $125,500 in large contributions this year. Recent donors include Ahlquist Development LLC, the business arm of former gubernatorial candidate Tommy Ahlquist; former Senate Education Committee chairman John Goedde; and the Idaho Land Fund.

Incumbent Sherri Ybarra, who has not yet announced her 2022 election plans, has reported $11,000 in large contributions. She has received $1,000 from former state Sen. Jeff Siddoway of Terreton.

Branden Durst — a former Democratic legislator now running on the GOP ticket — has reported $7,500 in contributions.

Disclosure: J.B. Scott — the founding chairman of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, which funds Idaho Education News — is affiliated with the Idaho Land Fund.

12.1.21: McCann files re-election paperwork

Lewiston’s newest lawmaker has filed initial paperwork to run for re-election — setting up a potential GOP primary with another sitting legislator. Rep. Lori McCann has appointed a campaign treasurer, a precursor to raising money for an election.

McCann lives in District 6 in the state’s new, proposed legislative map — not District 7, which takes in much of Lewiston. But District 6 is home to two other House Republicans, Brandon Mitchell of Moscow and Caroline Nilsson Troy of Genesee. That means at least two House incumbents could square off in the primary in May, if this legislative map survives court challenges.

Gov. Brad Little appointed McCann to the House in May. She replaced former Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, who resigned in April and now faces a charge of rape, in a complaint involving a former House intern.

McCann is a member of the House Education Committee.

11.30.21: Labrador jumps out to apparent fundraising edge

On Tuesday, Raúl Labrador touted a fast fundraising start in his campaign for attorney general.

And the state sunshine reports suggest he has taken an early financial edge in this four-way Republican primary.

Since entering the race on Nov. 17, Labrador says he has raised $100,000.

“We are building a strong campaign across the state, working with conservative grassroots leaders and concerned citizens,” Labrador said in a news release. “They know I will maintain law and order in our communities, protect Idahoans’ religious freedom, ensure election integrity, and help enable parents to freely exercise their right to direct their children’s education without fear of federal retaliation.”

Candidates don’t have to report all of their fundraising activity until the end of the calendar year. But they must report any contributions of $1,000 or more within 48 hours.

Labrador has filed “48-hour reports” accounting for $94,500. Among his more notable donors, Labrador received $2,500 from former Idaho Power CEO Lamont Keen, and $2,500 from state Rep. Bruce Skaug of Nampa. (Labrador works in Skaug’s law firm.)

Art Macomber of Coeur d’Alene has been campaigning for attorney for nearly a year. He has reported $83,962.50 in donations. More than half of that money comes from Macomber himself. But he has also secured donations from several Idaho Freedom Foundation board members: Brent Regan of Coeur d’Alene and Doyle Beck of Idaho Falls, and the Idaho Falls law firm of Bryan Smith, a Freedom Foundation board member and congressional candidate.

Incumbent Lawrence Wasden, who announced his run for a sixth term on Nov. 22, has raised $17,500. He received $10,000 from the Republican Attorneys General Association, and $2,500 from the Idaho Victory Fund, a Boise political action committee.

Dennis Boyles of Sandpoint has reported no fundraising activity.

11.22.21: Wasden joins crowded attorney general’s race

Idaho’s longest-serving attorney general wants another four years on the job.

Incumbent Lawrence Wasden broke his long silence on his political future Monday, saying he will seek a sixth term.

“(I) still feel I have something to offer,” Wasden said in a news release Monday.

Wasden’s announcement sets the stage for a crowded and contentious GOP primary. Former U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador jumped into the attorney general’s race Wednesday. Also in the running are Art Macomber of Coeur d’Alene and Dennis Boyles of Sandpoint, who have been aligned with Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, a gubernatorial candidate.

No Democrat has announced in the race.

In his statement, Wasden underscored his willingness to call “legal balls and strikes fairly and squarely.”

“This has been my guiding principle from Day One and I believe in it as strongly as ever today,” Wasden said. “An attorney general does not provide their clients or their state any value by giving them the legal counsel they want to hear or that is politically convenient. Rather, my goal has always been to provide counsel that is soundly rooted in the Rule of Law. This approach has served Idaho well and it’s important to maintain this consistency in 2023 and beyond.”

That statement appeared to be a veiled reference to Labrador, who dinged Wasden last week for his contentious relationship with lawmakers of his own party. “It is critical that we have a new attorney general who can work with the Legislature to craft legislation to withstand judicial tests and protect Idaho’s sovereignty,” Labrador said last week.

A former Canyon and Owyhee county prosecutor, Wasden has worked in the attorney general’s office since 1989, when he was hired as a deputy assigned to the State Tax Commission.

He was first elected attorney general in 2002.

11.21.21: Malek exits lieutenant governor’s race, endorses Bedke

Some breaking political news on a Sunday night: Former legislator Luke Malek pulled out of the lieutenant governor’s race and threw his support behind House Speaker Scott Bedke.

Malek made the announcement over social media.

“To prevent extremism from gaining another foothold in Idaho politics, and out of respect for my longtime friend and fellow conservative candidate, Scott Bedke, stepping aside is the best decision I can make for Idaho right now.”

The announcement contained more than one thinly veiled snipe at Rep. Priscilla Giddings, a hardline conservative who now will face Bedke in a one-on-one GOP primary. “Extremist politics has … rejected common-sense education funding that is crucial to our present and future economy.”
Giddings was a leading opponent of a three-year, $6 million a year federal early education grant. A divided House voted this year to reject the grant.

In a statement Sunday night, Bedke praised Malek.

“I am humbled by his willingness to step aside and put his trust in me,” Bedke said. “I promise to be the conservative leader our state needs to ensure Idaho continues to be a place where our families grow and thrive.”

More on Sunday night’s story from Kelcie Moseley-Morris of the Idaho Capital Sun.

11.21.21: Lodge won’t seek re-election in 2022

Idaho’s longest-serving current senator will not seek re-election next year.

Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston, revealed her plans to Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press last week.

“I’ve always said that I would retire at reapportionment, I’ve always said that,” Lodge told Russell.  “So it worked out.”

Reapportionment would have thrown Lodge in the same legislative district with Sen. Todd Lakey, R-Nampa. Under the plan drawn up by a bipartisan redistricting commission, Lodge and Lakey both live in a reconfigured legislative District 23.

This is just one of several dominoes likely to fall in the weeks and months to come. In another three of Idaho’s 35 districts, the map puts incumbent GOP senators in the same district.

Lodge is serving her 11^th term in the Senate. She chairs the powerful Senate State Affairs Committee.

11.18.21: Chaney to run for state Senate

A second Canyon County House member is going to run for the state Senate.

Rep. Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell, said he will seek an open Senate seat in the redrawn District 11.

“Having represented Caldwell for nearly eight years, I know voters here want a senator who will provide strong, principled leadership without shrinking in the face of criticism and adversity or being swayed by knee-jerk reactions,” Chaney said in a news release Thursday.

An attorney, Chaney chairs the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee. He also sits on the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

No sitting senator lives in legislative District 11, as redrawn by a bipartisan commission. But two other House members live in District 11 — Caldwell Republican Reps. Scott Syme and Julie Yamamoto — so Chaney’s move could head off a primary battle between incumbent lawmakers.

Rep. Ben Adams, R-Nampa, announced last week that he will seek an open Senate seat in District 12.

11.17.21: Labrador enters attorney general’s race

Former U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador jumped into the GOP race for attorney general Wednesday.

“Right now the great battles for the soul of our nation are taking place in our courthouses,” Labrador said in a news release. “The Biden administration is pushing an unlawful agenda that interferes with the sovereignty of the state of Idaho and the freedoms, liberties, and economic future of Idahoans. As attorney general, I will defend our liberties and hold the Biden administration accountable.”

Labrador’s announcement means three Republicans are in the running for attorney general. He joins Art Macomber of Coeur d’Alene and Dennis Boyles of Sandpoint, who have both been linked to Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, who is running for governor.

Republican Lawrence Wasden, Idaho’s attorney general since 2002, has been mum about his plans.

While Wasden’s political future is unclear, Labrador’s announcement played to the recurring tension between the attorney general and lawmakers.

“I will also be a true partner with conservative lawmakers in the Legislature as they work to draft and write good laws that will stand up against the gamesmanship of activist judges,” Labrador said. “It is critical that we have a new attorney general who can work with the Legislature to craft legislation to withstand judicial tests and protect Idaho’s sovereignty.”

According to the secretary of state’s election page, Labrador hasn’t yet raised any money for the 2022 election. However, he has appointed a campaign treasurer: Layne Bangerter, who headed Donald Trump’s Idaho presidential campaign in 2016.

Labrador began his political career in the Legislature, serving in the House from 2006 to 2010. He was elected to Idaho’s 1^st Congressional District in November 2010, serving four terms in Congress. He gave up his seat in Congress to run for governor, finishing second to Gov. Brad Little in the May 2018 GOP primary.

Labrador is also a former state Republican Party chair. He now serves as a board member for Central District Health.

11.17.21: Giddings decries ‘the swamp in Boise’

A day after she was censured by her peers, Priscilla Giddings leaned into her fight with Idaho House leadership.

In a fundraising email Tuesday, Giddings said she was “proud to be censored for defending liberty!”

“The swamp in Boise is tired of ‘interference’ from you and me,” said the Republican lieutenant governor’s candidate, calling out her primary opponents by name. “Sadly, both Scott Bedke and Luke Malek are at the center of this business-as-usual crowd, and they are trying to turn Boise into a swamp like Washington, D.C., full of backroom deals for their buddies and higher taxes for the rest of us.”

On Monday, the House voted 49-19 to sanction Giddings, stripping her of one committee assignment, as the House Ethics Committee recommended. Giddings was punished after she shared an article that named and published a photo of “Jane Doe,” the former House intern who has accused former Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger of rape.

Giddings also criticized House leadership for bottling up a bill she proposed during this week’s legislative session. The bill would have required parental consent for treatment of infectious, contagious and communicable diseases, repealing a section of state law that allows anyone ages 14 or older to consent to care.

The bill was printed Monday, but will not get a hearing.

“Current Idaho law has a large loophole that needs to be closed,” Giddings wrote.

11.12.21: Durst sues over legislative redistricting plan

The first redistricting lawsuit is on the books — filed by former legislator and current state superintendent’s candidate Branden Durst.

Durst, of Boise, filed his lawsuit with the Idaho Supreme Court Wednesday. He wants the court to ditch the current proposal to redraw Idaho’s 35 legislative districts, and replace it with one Durst drew himself.

The crux of Durst’s lawsuit: The legislative map, approved unanimously by a bipartisan redistricting commission, carves up eight of Idaho’s 44 counties. Durst’s map divides only seven counties.

The redistricting commission is supposed to limit the number of county splits. The commission is supposed to spread the state’s population as equally as possible — limiting the differences in district populations to 10 percent.

In his lawsuit, Durst says his plan meets this 10 percent threshold, as the commission’s map does.

Durst is running for state superintendent on the Republican ticket. As a statewide candidate, however, he isn’t affected by the new legislative map.

One of Durst’s attorneys is Bryan Smith of Idaho Falls, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson in the 2022 GOP primary. The redistricting commission redrew the congressional districts as well, affecting Smith’s campaign, but Wednesday’s lawsuit does not challenge the congressional map.

Durst’s lawsuit is the first of multiple lawsuits expected in the wake of the redistricting process.

11.10.21: Trump endorses McGeachin

The big political news of the week — so far, anyway — came Tuesday, when former President Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin.

The late afternoon announcement capped a week of maneuvering and public sniping between McGeachin and incumbent Gov. Brad Little.

The timeline:

Nov. 2: McGeachin meets with Trump at his Mar-A-Lago mansion in Palm Beach, Fla., to discuss education and other topics. “We cannot stand idly by and allow the next generation to suffer the consequences of our inaction,” McGeachin said afterwards. “President Trump understands this and I look forward to working with him in the future to bring his America First agenda to Idaho.”

Thursday: Little meets with Trump in Florida.

Friday: The Little-McGeachin feud picks back up. McGeachin calls out Little for leaving the state without her knowledge — failing to designate her as acting governor in his absence. “Did the governor fail to notify my office because he didn’t want me to use my position as acting governor to once again give the power and decision making back to the people of Idaho?” McGeachin asked in a news release. “Regardless of his reasons, he left the state of Idaho without a Governor for multiple days in direct violation of the law.”

Little has maintained he can perform his duties as governor even while he is out of state. And for good measure, Little went to social media to troll McGeachin with a photo from his Florida trip. “Last night it was an honor to be recognized by the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump. Together we were able to accomplish many great things!”

Tuesday: Trump endorses McGeachin. “Lt. Governor Janice McGeachin has been a true supporter of MAGA since the very beginning,” Trump wrote, in part. “Janice is great on Election Integrity, will always fight for strong Borders, our cherished Second Amendment, American Manufacturing, School Choice, and our wonderful and hardworking FARMERS.”

Political watchers with long-ish memories will remember how a Trump non-endorsement unfolded in the last GOP gubernatorial primary. Trump pulled an endorsement for Raul Labrador, after the Little campaign assembled a montage of videos of Labrador criticizing Trump, the New York Times reported in November 2018.

As for Little’s visit to Florida last week, taxpayers are on the hook for that, to the tune of $2,014. Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press broke that story Tuesday.

11.10.21: A rematch in Madison County

On Wednesday, former state Rep. Britt Raybould said she will challenge current Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg, in the May GOP primary.

In 2020, Nate unseated Raybould, collecting 52 percent of the GOP vote and paving the way to return to the House. (Nate is in the middle of his third House term; he served from 2014 to 2018 before he lost in that year’s GOP primary.)

The differences between Nate and Raybould are stark.

During her two years in the House, Raybould generally governed as a moderate, particularly on the budget-writing Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. Nate is a hardline conservative — and on JFAC, he has been a sharp critic of Boise State University and social justice spending on college campuses.

House candidates don’t have to declare yet for one of their districts’ two seats in that legislative body. But on her campaign website Wednesday, Raybould made her intentions clear.

“The current representative is a sharp political operative,” she said. “But what has he done for our community? Ron Nate panders to special interest groups. He lets these dark-money lobbyists undermine our core values and unity in this county.”

In Idaho’s newly drawn legislative map, Nate and Raybould would square off in District 34, a standalone Madison County district. The current District 34 includes Madison County and parts of Bonneville County.

11.10.21: Wondering about that new legislative map?

Me too. So I tried to plot out where Idaho’s incumbent lawmakers live — and what legislative districts they might land in for the 2022 elections. Here’s what we know so far.