Most Democrats may consider another run

BOISE – Most of the Idaho Democrats who lost statewide elections earlier this month say they plan to run again or wouldn’t rule out another try, though some said they might consider a change in strategy or vying for a different office.

“I’m not discouraged one bit,” said Larry LaRocco, who lost the lieutenant governor race to Republican Gov. Jim Risch. “Except for the outcome, it was a great experience.”

He said he might challenge Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, for that seat in 2008. He said he would be able to raise more money for a congressional race, allowing him to make himself and his ideas better known.

Until then, he plans to continue working as president of Neo Kinetics, a software company in Coeur d’Alene.

Not running again is Jerry Brady, the president of the Post Co., a publishing company in Idaho Falls. He lost to Republican C.L. “Butch” Otter in the election for governor.

“I’ve done my best,” Brady, 70, told the Idaho Statesman. “Twice is enough.” He said he might go back to nonprofit work in the Third World.

Larry Grant said he will likely try again for the 1st District House seat. The former Micron executive lost to Republican Bill Sali.

“Folks keep asking, ‘What did we do wrong?’ And I tell them we didn’t do anything wrong, we did everything right,” Grant said. “We started with an unknown candidate in a tough district and got 45 percent of the vote.”

Jim Hansen lost to Republican Mike Simpson in the election for the 2nd District House seat, getting 34 percent of the vote to Simpson’s 62 percent. He said he might run for the seat again.

“I’ll never rule out the possibility of running many more times,” Hansen said. “We’ve got to own the elections. The people have to own the elections.”

Hansen has returned to United Vision of Idaho in Boise and is working on campaign finance reform.

Jana Jones, who narrowly lost to Republican Tom Luna for superintendent of public instruction, said she might run again in four years. Her job as deputy to Democratic state schools Superintendent Marilyn Howard ends in January when Luna takes office.

“It was a great opportunity, and I believe in what I was doing,” she said. “I believe in the public education system of Idaho. I’ve learned you never say never because it comes back to bite you every time.”

Jackie Groves Twilegar, who lost to Donna Jones 59 percent to 41 percent for state controller, said she might run for an office where a Democrat might have a better chance, such as in Boise where Democrats defeated five Republican incumbents in the Legislature.

“I’m also not crazy, and I have no desire to waste my time and waste people’s money, and you have to look at where the Democrats were successful,” she said.

Bob Wallace, who lost in the race for attorney general, said his plans are to try and build up the system for getting Democrats elected.

“I don’t like to use the word machine, but that’s what the Republicans have and that’s what we don’t have,” said Wallace.

Howard Faux, 79, said he plans to run again for treasurer in 2010.