BOISE – Idahoans will have a full slate of candidates to choose from in both their May 25 primary election and the general election in November for offices including governor, congressman and every seat in the state Legislature.

By the close of the filing period on Friday, 11 candidates had filed to run for governor, including incumbent Butch Otter, Democratic challenger Keith Allred, one other Democrat, five other Republicans, two independents and one Libertarian.

Five Republicans are vying for the chance to challenge Democratic congressman Walt Minnick in the 1st Congressional District, along with an independent and a Libertarian; and GOP Sen. Mike Crapo, who six years ago was unopposed but for a write-in challenge, has drawn one challenger in the Republican primary and two who are vying in the Democratic primary.

Lewiston District Judge John Bradbury, who narrowly lost two years ago to Idaho Supreme Court Justice Joel Horton, is challenging sitting Justice Roger Burdick in the May 25 election.

There are several contested races for North Idaho legislative seats, including hot contests for two open seats: A four-way GOP primary for the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake; and a face-off between Democrat Paula Marano and Republican former state Sen. Kathy Sims for the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d’Alene.

Sayler has thrown his support to Marano, saying, “She and I are a lot alike – she’s moderate, a retired teacher, she’s community-oriented, a hard worker. We have a lot of common values.” Marano filled in for Sayler in the House last year for a week.

Sims, a local car dealer and former Kootenai County GOP chairwoman, was appointed to the state Senate in 2001 and served out the term of former Sen. Jack Riggs, R-Coeur d’Alene, when he was appointed lieutenant governor.

Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake, is facing a challenge in the GOP primary from Steve Vick, of Dalton Gardens, a former Montana state legislator.

Rep. Marge Chadderdon, R-Coeur d’Alene, drew a Democratic challenger, Mike Bullard, of Coeur d’Alene, just before the close of filing Friday; and Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Post Falls, picked up two last-minute GOP primary challengers – one of whom lists an address in Washington.

Meanwhile, Sen. Joyce Broadsword, R-Sagle, faces two challengers, Dennis Engelhardt and James Stivers, in the GOP primary.