The Idaho Republican primary results are (unofficially) in and they are varied. Statewide constitutional offices largely went to more moderate Republicans. Moderates also gained ground in Eastern Idaho. North Idaho, on the other hand, went farther to the right. While the Idaho House of Representatives seems to have moderated a little, the Senate went farther right with many upsets.
In the most closely watched race, Gov. Brad Little won an eight-way primary walking away with 53% of the vote. His next closest competitor, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, garnered 32% of the vote.
In the Lieutenant Governor’s race, Speaker Scott Bedke defeated Rep. Priscilla Giddings (52% -43%).
The Secretary of State race went to Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane with 43% of the vote. In a three-way contest, he narrowly beat out far-right candidate Rep. Dorothy Moon (43%-41%).
With results not totally unexpected, former Congressman Raul Labrador deposed 20-year incumbent Attorney General Lawrence Wasden (52%-38%).
Labrador is the only “far right” candidate to win statewide election.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra lost her position in a three-way primary to former Idaho State Board of Education Chair, Debbie Critchfield. Ybarra came in a distant third.
Congressman Mike Simpson, who has served 23 years in the US Congress, beat back a second well-financed challenge from Idaho Falls attorney Bryan Smith (53%-32%).
Six Influential Senate Incumbents Upset – All Challenged from the Right
Six influential members of the Idaho Senate lost their elections.
Scott Herndon upset second-term Sen. Jim Woodward (56%-44%). Woodward was an influential member of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC), Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee and a member of the Education Committee.
Sen. Peter Riggs was beaten by challenger Carl Bjerke (62%-38%). Though Riggs was a first-term senator, he was influential on the Health and Welfare Committee and is the son of former Senator and Lt. Governor Dr. Jack Riggs.
Sen. Carl Crabtree lost a four-way primary to a lesser-known Cindy Carlson (49%-40%). During his six years in the Senate, he was Vice-Chairman of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) and a very influential member of the Transportation and Education Committees.
Brian Lenney bested six-year incumbent Sen. Jeff Agenbroad (58%-42%). Sen. Agenbroad is chairman of JFAC, arguably the most powerful committee in the legislature. He also made notable contributions to health, welfare and commerce issues.
Sen. Fred Martin, chairman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee was beaten by first term Codi Galloway (53%-41%). Sen. Martin held office for ten years and was one of the more senior senators.
Newcomer Glenneda Zuiderveld beat Sen. Jim Patrick (Zuiderveld won by only 37 votes). Patrick served as Chairman of the Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee. He served five terms in the senate and, prior to that, three terms in the House.
Senate Leadership Survives Challenges from the Right
It is worth noting that all four members of Senate Leadership Pro Tem Chuck Winder, Majority Leader Kelly Anthon, Assistant Majority Leader Abby Lee and Caucus Chair Mark Harris survived challenges from far-right candidates. Sen. Abby Lee was redistricted into the same district as Sen. Jim Rice, chairman of the Senate Tax Committee. He, however, came in third place in a four-way primary.
Other Senate Races Worth Noting
Rep. Greg Chaney former chairman of the House Judiciary Committee lost his bid for the senate against perennial challenger Chris Trakel (54%-46%). Sen. C. Scott Grow was redistricted into the same district as Senate Education Chairman Steve Thayne. Grow won that three-way contest (48%-40%).
House Upsets and Changes
While the Senate moved its membership a little farther toward the right, the House, arguably, moved a little closer to center. That is not the case, however, in District 4 which is largely the city of Coeur d’Alene. Coeur d’Alene traditionally elects moderate Republicans. Not in this election. Third-term incumbent and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Rep. Paul Amador was defeated by newcomer Elaine Price (51%-49%). Vice Chairman of the Revenue and Taxation Committee Rep. Jim Addis was beaten by newcomer Joe Alfieri (52%-48%).
Contrast that with Eastern Idaho where far-right candidates Rep. Ron Nate, Rep. Karey Hanks, and Rep. Chad Christiansen all lost to more moderate challengers. In Hanks’ and Nate’s cases they lost to challengers they bested in the last election, former Rep. Jerald Raymond and Rep. Britt Raybould (Raybould won by only 36 votes).
Other notable house races include:
Rep. Judy Boyle beat Rep. Scott Syme in a redistricting race (50.03% - 49.97%), with a difference of only 6 votes.
Rep. Ryan Kerby was beaten by Jacyn Gallegher (51%-49%).
Rep. Gayann DeMordaunt was beaten by Josh Tanner (55%-45%).
Rep. John Vander Woude fended off Rep. Greg Ferch in another redistricting challenge (53%-47%).
The Makeup of the Legislature Will Drastically Change
Turnover in the next legislature will be historically high. Due to vacancies in office, incumbents losing and uncontested general elections, there will be at least 17 (out of 35) new members of the Senate – almost a 49% turnover. There will be at least 31 (out of 70) new members of the House -- at least a 44% turnover.
Tax Cuts & Revenue Report
Last week Idaho Governor Brad Little reported that April's tax revenue to the state set a new single-month record at $1.2 billion dollars and was double what had been expected. This brought year-to-date revenue above $5.1 billion. All of this on the heels of Idaho’s largest tax cut in history which took effect this year.
The majority of revenue is attributed to $717 million of individual income taxes. In addition, $310 million in corporate income taxes and $192 million in sales taxes were collected. The historic numbers prompted the governor to promise more tax cuts moving forward saying:
“To Idahoans, I tell you this – we have achieved historic tax cuts for you in the past few years, and we are not done yet,” he said. “Our conservative principles mean more tax cuts are coming.”
He attributed the growth in revenue to the health of Idaho's economy saying “The continued strength of Idaho businesses and the health of our state budget prove our conservative approach to governing works.”
Here is a full breakdown of April and Year to Date revenues:
