November 8, 2009 in Idaho

Nonpartisan Idaho races get scrutiny

Opinion split on party labels for city-level elections

Betsy Z. Russell betsyr@spokesman.com, (866) 336-2854

BOISE – Idaho’s elections last week were all officially nonpartisan city races, but there’s growing statewide debate about what role – if any – political parties should play in those contests.

Boise State University political scientist emeritus Jim Weatherby said he sees a “disturbing trend” toward more partisanship in city elections not only in Idaho but across the country.

“I fall back on the classic statement that there is no Democratic or Republican way to build a street,” he said. “A lot of issues that confront city councils have less to do with ideology, and more to do with problem-solving, …

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