Senate Majority Caucus Chairman Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian, who lost his challenge against a sitting governor of his own party in yesterday’s primary, drew a laugh when he asked the crowd at today’s traditional Republican Party “unity” rally on the state Capitol steps, “Anybody want to go golfing?” Fulcher said, “My life just got substantially more simple, and you know what, that’s a good thing for a while here.” He said, “It is fitting, it is proper and it is necessary for me to congratulate Gov. Butch Otter.”

Otter, who pulled Fulcher aside to talk before the rally started, suggested he has a role in mind for his former challenger. Asked if he’ll support state GOP Chairman Barry Peterson, who said yesterday he expects to seek another term as party chairman, Otter said, “It’s way too early to talk about that. I have been contacted by folks that suggested they’d be interested in it, probably five or six.” Plus, he said, “Some of these candidates that were not successful may be interested in running the party.” Otter noted that he expressed approval of Fulcher as a potential party chairman prospect before Peterson took over. “I want to talk to all the other candidates and see where they want to lead this party,” Otter said.