Election Notes

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.