Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Larry Kenck, in a statement today, said the close race for state superintendent of schools was "a testament to the fact that we ran strong despite an adverse election climate," that saw big GOP wins both in Idaho and nationwide. Kenck said Democrats had competitive races around the state, and have a 10-year-strategy for a comeback in heavily Republican Idaho. "Tuesday’s outcomes are in actuality a positive step toward that goal," Kenck said. "To actually gain a legislative seat in this climate, as we did, is a respectable outcome. ... We hold our heads high today. Our candidates hold their heads high. ... We are strong and getting stronger." Click below for his full statement.

A Message from IDP Chair Larry Kenck on 2014 Elections

Boise, Idaho—Thank you to all of our volunteers, donors and candidates who made this year exciting and competitive. Yesterday, voters across the nation backed Republican candidates and that bad mood hit Idaho as well. The close race for Idaho Supt. of Public Instruction is a testament to the fact that we ran strong despite an adverse election climate. A wave of out-of-state and special interest money did its work against our candidates—in the governor’s race alone $1.3 million showed up to tar the good name of a man we have all come to admire and respect, AJ Balukoff.

To actually gain a legislative seat in this climate, as we did, is a respectable outcome. Heart-breakingly close legislative races broke toward Republican candidates in Latah, Ada, Twin Falls, and Blaine counties. We had competitive legislative races in Bonneville, Kootenai, and Canyon counties. We won county races in areas across the state. The Idaho Democratic Party has a 10-year-strategy to bring balance back to Idaho’s state leadership and Tuesday’s outcomes are in actuality a positive step toward that goal.

We hold our heads high today. Our candidates hold their heads high. Our candidates are honest, hardworking, and experienced. Many Idahoans recognized that our candidates are aligned with Idaho's values and the interests of Idaho's families and businesses, and they let that knowledge guide their vote. We congratulate our candidates who won and we thank all the candidates who stood up and answered the call to public service.

We would like to wish good luck to our newly elected public officials, Republican and Idaho Democrats. We pledge to hold them all accountable for their election year promises. Our top priorities are to see that our children get the high-quality education they need to succeed, to see that businesses get the opportunity to prosper together with our communities, and to always put Idaho’s families first. We are strong and getting stronger.

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