Three N. Idaho incumbents who trail challengers scored in top 10 on ‘Freedom Index’
Despite a big push by Idaho Freedom Action, the campaigning arm of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, it appears the group’s most-favored candidates are losing in North Idaho legislative races tonight. Three incumbent lawmakers who are trailing their challengers – Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwood; Rep. Shannon McMillan, R-Silverton; and Rep. Kathy Sims, R-Coeur d’Alene – all scored in the top 10 in the group’s “Freedom Index.”
Meanwhile, the group’s biggest targets – they went tooth and nail after Reps. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene; and Kelley Packer, R-McCammon – appear to be easily besting their IFA-backed challengers. Malek leads Coeur d’Alene attorney Art Macomber by 58.4 percent to 41.6; Packer leads her challenger, chiropractor Jason West, 56.8 to 43.2%.
One where the IFA apparently prevailed: Rep. Paul Romrell, R-St. Anthony, another of the group’s big targets, is trailing challenger Karey Hanks, 48.1% to 51.9%. Another: Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg, who ranks No. 1 on the group’s index, is leading challenger Doug Ricks, 51.6% to 48.4%.
Rep. Dell Raybould, R-Rexburg, is easily defeating Chick Heileson, 66.5 percent to 33.5 percent.
IFA-backed Bryan Zollinger is leading David Smith for the open seat formerly held by Rep. Linden Bateman, R-Idaho Falls, 56.2% to 43.8%.
Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, trounced IFA-backed challenger Randy Neal, 68.2% to 31.8%.
Megan Blanksma is leading Rep. Pete Nielsen, R-Mountain Home, by a whopping 71% to 22.1%. In the same district, Rep. Rich Wills, R-Glenns Ferry, is trailing challenger Christy Zito, 44.9% to 55.1%.
Rep. Patrick McDonald, R-Boise, is beating former Sen. Rod Beck, 57.9% to 42.1%. And in the race to replace Rep. Reed DeMordaunt, R-Boise, his wife, Gayann, is leading former Rep. Doug Jones, 70% to 30%.
Sen. Abby Lee, R-Fruitland, has a narrow lead over challenger Viki Purdy, 50.2 to 49.8%. But in the same district, Rep. Merrill Beyeler, R-Leadore, is losing to challenger Dorothy Moon, 41.4 to 58.6 percent.
None of this is final, of course, and votes still are being tallied. But this is where things stand with 890 of 938 precincts reporting.
Among the closest races in the state: Rep. Don Cheatham, R-Post Falls, now leads challenger Peter Riggs by just 64 votes; that’s 50.9% to 49.1%.
