The two-week filing period for Idaho politicians has come to an end and now residents know who they’ll see on their primary and general election ballots in coming months.
Both Idaho congressional races are crowded, but the race for the 2nd District could be intriguing in the May and November elections this year, a break from years past when the seat-holder, Republican Congressman Mike Simpson, has easily laid waste to his competition.
State Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, could add much drama to this contest. She filed late Friday afternoon to run for the post, after announcing last week that she would retire from the Idaho Capitol after two terms in the Senate and one in the House. In talks of her resignation, she gave no indication this move was coming.
But, her bid to challenge Simpson isn’t even a sure thing since she must survive a primary election. Eldon Wallace of Boise, who challenged Lt. Gov. Brad Little in 2010, and Jack Chappell of Buhl, have also filed to enter the Democratic primary election.
Simpson, the odds-on favorite to win, has a primary race of his own. Chick Heileson, who took 24 percent of the vote when he challenged Simpson in 2010, has signed on for another run at the seat. Small business owner John Baird will join Simpson and Heileson in the May 15 Republican primary.
There was one surprising non-entry into the contest. State Rep. Janice McGeachin, R-Idaho Falls, was rumored to be mulling a bid against Simpson with eastern Idaho Tea Party groups egging her on. A few weeks ago, McGeachin denied the rumors and her non-filing proved the rumblings inaccurate.
The race for Republican Congressman Raul Labrador’s seat is equally as crowded.
In the GOP primary, Labrador is set to face off against Reed McCandless of Moscow. The Democratic race will feature former NFL football player Jimmy Farris, who hails from Meridian, and Cynthia Clinkingbeard of Boise.
Libertarian Rob Oates has filed for Labrador’s seat, as has perennial candidate Pro-Life, formerly Marvin Richardson, who plans a run as an Independent.
