Stapilus: A Down Cycle For Idaho

This election year, hot nationally, is a down cycle for Idaho. Politically, that is, in a way that has nothing to do with specific parties or candidates. This is a year when relatively little on the state level is on the ballot - no governor (or other statewides) or senator. It happens once every 12 years, every third presidential election. The last low cycle was in 2000, before that 1988, before that 1976. Sort of a political Halley’s comet effect. That usually means a subtly lower level of energy, and lower level of attention from outside; national people, political, journalistic and money types, are interested in a state first if it’s a presidential battleground (as Idaho clearly is not) and secondly if it has a strong Senate or gubernatorial race up. After that, attention usually shifts to other states. Oregon, which is in a near-down cycle this year (no governor or Senate, but a few statewides) is in a similar position. Washington, with a runaway Senate race but a very hot contest for governor, gets more national interest. This can matter, because the outside influence has effects on races down below/ Randy Stapilus , Ridenbaugh Press. More here .

Question: Apparently, I’m not the only one who senses a lack of energy in this fall’s election in the local races. Which side do you think will benefit more from this down cycle?