Walton Enters Race Against Darrington

Idaho Citizens Alliance Chairman Kelly Walton plans to challenge state Sen. Denton Darrington in the May 28 Republican primary.

The Heyburn contractor said on Thursday that his decision stems in part from Darrington’s vote to end agriculture’s 79-year exemption from Idaho’s workers’ compensation law.

“I believe Darrington did the district a tremendous disservice by voting to mandate workers’ comp for farmers and ranchers,” Walton said.

The sponsor of four initiatives proposed for Idaho’s November ballot, including a new version of the anti-gay rights measure that voters rejected in 1994, said he has yet to file as a candidate for the District 25 Senate seat Darrington has held for seven terms. He plans to file late next week.