Idaho voters Tuesday head to the polls for the state’s primary election.
With Idaho’s strong red roots, the GOP primary is often considered the most competitive leg of the election season because Republican candidates rarely face a strong Democratic challenge in November, though this year could prove different.
The most competitive and crowded races are for the open seats for governor and the 1st Congressional District, but Idaho’s lieutenant governor and state treasurer seats are also up for grabs without an incumbent. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra is hoping to secure a second term, while Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, Secretary of State Lawerence Denney, and State Controller Brandon Woolf aren’t facing primary challengers.
The top Republican candidates running for governor are Lieutenant Governor Brad Little, U.S. Representative Raul Labrador, and Boise businessman Tommy Ahlquist. Three-term Governor Butch Otter announced he would step down after serving nearly four decades in public office. For Democrats, former state Representative Paulette Jordan of Plumer is vying to become Idaho’s first female nominee of a major political party. In her bid for governor, Jordan faces Boise businessman and longtime school board member A.J. Balukoff. Balukoff is making his second attempt to be the party nominee after failing to beat Otter in 2014.
Meanwhile, with Labrador stepping down to run for governor, seven Republicans have flocked to take over his congressional seat. And five Republicans and two Democrats are vying to become the state’s next lieutenant governor.
Voter turnout in Idaho has hovered around 25 percent in recent primary election cycles. (AP)
