Posted on 05/18/2024 5:25:00 AM PDT by cotton1706
Every two years one hears the next election will be one of the most important ever. The truth is every election is important because it determines the laws we live under, how we are taxed, and the kind of society we live in.
But it’s not an overstatement to say that Tuesday’s primary election may be the most important election in recent memory. I say that after following Idaho politics for the past five decades, first as a journalist and now as an advocate for education.
With so much at stake, this election will decide whether we remain stuck in the quagmire of far-right extremism or reverse course to a politics focused more on improving the quality of life for all Idahoans, especially our youngest ones.
In significant ways, this election is unique given the warring factions in the Republican Party: the far-right personified by Chair Dorothy Moon and the self-proclaimed Idaho Freedom Foundation versus the “Main Street Republicans” who represent traditional conservative GOP values like fiscal responsibility, equal opportunity and public education.
It is also unique by the historic amount of money pouring into our state from billionaires and their front organizations. The Dallas-based American Federation for Children has invested $440,000 in the election. The Ohio-based Citizens Alliance has dropped another $390,000. And these are but two of the out-of-state operators influencing our primary election.
Just read what one “strategist” for the American Federation for Children told Idaho Education News about his group’s plans: “If you’re a candidate or lawmaker who opposes school choice – you’re a target.”
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
If you live in Idaho, prepare to vote!
I AM prepared to vote. When are these nitwits going to discuss the harm of extreme LEFT-wing policies? They’ve ruined education & the health care system.
Everything.they.touch.
““If you’re a candidate or lawmaker who opposes school choice – you’re a target.”
In Japan, teachers must rotate among schools.
So we have a total of $830,000 from two out of state groups? That's chump change even for a small state like Idaho.
George Soros spends way more than that to elect a DA who will give criminals a pass in a Democrat city with a smaller population.
And what is the far right position here? School choice? Give me a break!
The first Red-Flag was when he admitted he was a journalist.
Right away you know he is going to lie and twist the the truth!
Finally, last sentence, school choice!
Same battle in NH.
So far we are winning.
The same leftist extremist murderers who want choice to kill kids don't want it to educate kids.
I would prefer to pay for and have kids educated in public schools, we shouldn't have to bother with charter schools or homeschooling.
The extreme leftist "professors" in teachers' colleges have now turned out generations of indoctrinated, incompetent teachers.
The book publishing companies are a large part of the scam.
There is too much money and politics involved for the monster to change.
So the ONLY choice is to defund public "education" and teach the students elsewhere.
Why do we have non Conservatives in office in a deep red state?
...and Rod Gramer the author is of no help whatsoever. A defamer, a liar, a leftist if ever there was one. Right wing extremist identifier and satisfied that public education is God’s gift to Idaho. No thanks Rod.
is there anything about the greater idaho movement on the ballot?
is there anything about the greater idaho movement on the ballot?
sorry about the double post
It is all slowly becoming clear that the issue is “conservative”.
“Traditional Conservative Values” got us $36T in debt. That $36T did not come from fiscal conservatism — it came from the Swamp. If you have been in politics for 6 years, you are Swamp. You will vote for all debt ceiling raises and you’ll do this declaring yourself to be conservative.
Politicians are Swamp. Lobbyists of politicians are Swamp. Journalists who have written about politics for XX years are Swamp.
You don’t drain the Swamp electing the same people into office. You embrace conservatism, defined very strictly as Drain the Swamp and Build the Wall.
The reference to the primary has to be for state house candidates as the only federal primary race is in CD 2 which Congressman Michael Simpson is facing to very under funded chalangers.
Some interesting Idaho Stats
Idaho Registered Voters
Idaho has 1,000,173 registered voters.
583,961 Republicans
125,503 Democrats
275,329 Unaffiliated
Voter Age
18-29 142,649
30-44 233,954
45-59 231,025
60-74 263,826
75+ 128,719
“Main Street Republicans” are a bunch of good ole boys...my friend is up for re-election and part of Freedom Foundation battling them.
Gramer: A swamp creature
It’s time for Idaho’s legislative leaders to give up their campaign to privatize our schools
By: ROD GRAMER - March 20, 2024
For the past six years those who want to privatize our schools have tried to pass legislation that would use taxpayer dollars to support private and religious school tuition. And repeatedly their efforts have been defeated. The latest attempt was a tax credit that would cost the state $50 million in lost revenue. ...
Idaho has 35 State Senate districts and within the 2 legislative districts from which they elect 2 Reps from across the whole senate district. So there are A and B seats. Seems a bit strange as the reps are running in the same area as the senators. They just serve in a larger legislative body.
These two with different addresses are running against each other in the primary.
1 State Representative A REP Mark Sauter
1 State Representative A REP Jane Sauter
Spencer Hutchings is also running for the seat.
And to further confuse things, Cornel Rasor and Chuck Lowman are running for the B seat.
14 of the Republican State Senate seats are uncontested. There are two many on the house side to count.
So we have a total of $830,000 from two out of state groups? That’s chump change even for a small state like Idaho.
This is actually a fair amount of money for a state republican primary, but as I have noted there are lots of contested primaries and I did not even look at the dem side.
The republicans have super majorities in both the house and senate.
Anyone in that legislature over 6 yrs is Swamp.
I’m assuming the house terms are two years and the Senate 4, with the senate on staggered terms? That would be distinct enough for me. And it makes redistricting easier.
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