In his Idaho Politics Weekly column, Chuck Malloy comments:

The “American Redoubt” movement, where Christian conservatives from elsewhere have found a safe haven in Idaho’s Panhandle, has gained some traction in Bonner and Boundary counties in the far northern part of the state.

We’ll see on Nov. 8 if this movement has conservative staying power.

Two years ago, the Redoubt group made a big splash the District 1 Republican primary – electing Heather Scott of Blanchard and Sage Dixon of Ponderay to House seats, and almost defeating longtime Sen. Shawn Keough of Sandpoint. All three Republican incumbents have opposition in this year’s general election, with Scott’s seat being one of the most closely-watched legislative races statewide.

Dixon, whose political views overall are closer to Scott thanKeough, faces opposition from Democrat Stephen Howlett. But Dixon, with his congenial nature, has won over some mainstream Republicans -- including former Rep. George Eskridge, who Dixon defeated two years ago. But Eskridge says he’s not supporting Scott in her race against Democrat Kate McAlister of Sandpoint.

“I think Kate would be a better representative for our district,” Eskridge says. More here.

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