Election Notes
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 11th 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 1st 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.