Boise Democrat To Challenge Crapo

Boise home builder John Seidl says he plans to run as a Democrat against Republican Congressman Michael Crapo.

Seidl, an unknown in Idaho politics, said he has lived in Idaho three years. He plans to make a formal campaign announcement and hire a campaign manager by the first week of April.

Seidl said he has the backing of the state Democratic Party and will run on a platform of opposition to nuclear waste and job loss at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory and enforcement of federal environmental laws.

Crapo won the 2nd District congressional seat in 1992 and captured 74.9 percent of the vote in 1994 against unknown Democrat Penny Fletcher of Boise. He faces token opposition from antinuclear waste crusader Peter Rickards of Twin Falls in the May 28 primary election.

“Obviously we’re getting into this a little bit late,” Seidl said. “I really decided to do this because I finally got fed up with what’s going on. I don’t believe the representation we’re getting right now is the right representation for Idaho.”

Seidl said he has a campaign budget of $190,000.