For the first time in more than a decade, Idaho will select a new governor during Tuesday’s general election.
Voters decide between former state lawmaker and Coeur d’Alene Tribal member Democrat Paulette Jordan and Republican Brad Little for the seat.
In the 1st Congressional District, Democrat Cristina McNeil faces Republican Russ Fulcher to succeed U.S. Representative Raúl Labrador, who stepped down from the seat for an unsuccessful run for governor.
10-term Republican 2nd District Congressman Mike Simpson faces a challenge from Democrat Aaron Swisher.
Among ballot initiatives, Proposition 1 seeks to legalize historical horse racing devices that opponents say are the equivalent of illegal slot machines. Proposition 2 would expand Medicaid to an estimated 62,000 working Idaho residents believed to be in a gap population that earns too much to qualify for Medicaid and too little to qualify for insurance subsidies – a measure endorsed by Governor Otter.
The Lieutenant Governor’s race is already historic, as Democrat Kristin Collum, an Army veteran and software engineer faces Republican Janice McGeachin, guaranteeing Idaho’s first ever female lieutenant governor.
In the race for Superintendent of Public Schools, Republican incumbent Sherri Ybarra faces a strong challenge from Democrat Cindy Wilson, a longtime classroom teacher who has served on the state Board of Correction and Governor Otter’s education task force.
Incumbent Republican Secretary of State Lawerence Denney faces a challenge from Democrat Jill Humble, a registered nurse and mental health counselor. (AP)
