Keith Allred, former college professor and founder of the advocacy group The Common Interest, is running to unseat Butch Otter as Idaho governor.  In an email to Common Interest members announcing his intent, posted at NewWest,

Allred said he wants to "put practical solutions ahead of special interest and partisan politics." His email talks about finding cost-effective solutions to education and tax issues. Allred said he filed paperwork on Thursday and will formally declare his candidacy in the next few weeks.

The state Democratic party issued a press release welcoming Allred to the race with party standard bearers lauding his work in Idaho. Former governor Cecil Andrus will serve as Allred's honorary campaign chair. Idaho House and Senate minority leaders John Rusche of Lewiston and Kate Kelly of Boise also offered praise for Allred.
All of Idaho's constitutional offices are currently held by Republicans, but are up for re-election next November. Allred will face a well-funded challenge from the sitting governor.  Otter had over $117,000 in campaign contributions on hand at the end of June, according to filings with the Secretary of State. Otter spent nearly $2 million in his successful run for governor in 2006.