With just three weeks left before Idaho’s primary election, GOP gubernatorial challenger Russ Fulcher has launched his first statewide campaign commercial and posted billboards around the state – but incumbent Gov. Butch Otter hasn’t. “We have not put any TV up yet, no,” said Jayson Ronk, Otter’s campaign manager. Asked if the Otter campaign will hit the airwaves between now and the primary, Ronk said, “Oh yes.”

But Otter’s been running a low-key race as he seeks a third term as governor, leaving Fulcher, the Idaho Senate’s GOP majority caucus chairman, to face off with fringe candidates Harley Brown and Walter Bayes at candidate forums around the state. Otter has agreed to just one debate with Fulcher and the other two candidates, which will air statewide on Idaho Public Television on May 14. The primary election is May 20.

China Gum, Fulcher’s campaign manager, said, “If Russ Fulcher’s legacy was the legacy that the governor has, then he probably wouldn’t want to get out in front of the people and answer questions too.” Ronk said, “We’ve got a full campaign plan that we intend to execute.” You can read my full story here at spokesman.com, including an AdWatch analysis of Fulcher’s new TV spot.