Eye on Boise: Fulcher and Labrador do Idaho’s political switcheroo

Idaho’s big political switcheroo – with former state Sen. Russ Fulcher dropping out of the governor’s race after nearly a year of campaigning, switching instead to the 1st Congressional District race, and earning current 1st Congressional District Rep. Raul Labrador’s endorsement in the bargain – is raising plenty of questions about how Idaho’s hot 2018 political campaigns are shaping up.

The move dropped the number of big-name Republicans already in the 2018 race for governor of Idaho from four to three – Labrador, Lt. Gov. Brad Little, and doctor and businessman Tommy Ahlquist. And it bumped up the competitors in the 1st Congressional District race from one big-name Republican, former Lt. Gov. and Idaho Attorney General David Leroy, to two, with several more considering the race.

“We recognize the best way to serve the citizens of Idaho is to work together in complementary roles,” said Fulcher, in his announcement of the switch.

Last week, Fulcher told the Point of Personal Privilege Pod, a political podcast based in Boise, that he still believes he’s the best candidate for governor. So why did he leave the race? “You have to be pragmatic, to some extent, on the outcome of this,” he said. “I do believe that the need and the fit, given the landscape today, is better if I redirect to the 1st Congressional District.”

Fulcher’s new 1st Congressional District GOP rival offered a barbed welcome. “I am sorry Russell’s first-choice race became too crowded, but we welcome him into the race for Idaho’s 1st Congressional District,” Leroy said in a statement. “Idaho needs leaders who are willing to stand and fight no matter the circumstances – not fold at the first sight of turbulence. My goal is to seek the endorsement of each voter, not any one politician.”

Ahlquist, in an interview last week, said he has nothing negative to say about Fulcher. “I like Russ,” he said. “I think he’s a gentleman and a good man and I like his family. … I wish him the best. … I am way more of a grinder – I keep my head down. I’ve got my own messaging.”

“I was always planning on running against Raul Labrador,” he added. “I think there was no surprise at all to us that he was going to get into the race, ever. … I think the people of Idaho need choice. … I hope people look at his record and his life and what he’s done, and what he wants to do, and compare it against mine. And that’s the beauty of this whole process.”

Labrador is an immigration attorney who’s serving his fourth two-year term in Congress, where he co-founded the conservative Freedom Caucus. Prior to that, he served two two-year terms in the state House of Representatives.

Ahlquist is a physician, businessman and successful developer who’s built $331 million worth of new construction in Idaho, including the state’s tallest building, completed in 2015.

Little, Idaho’s current lieutenant governor, a former state senator and the scion of one of Idaho’s most storied ranching families, met Labrador’s entry into the governor’s race with boasts about Idaho’s current economic successes.

“Our conservative Republican leadership in Idaho is leading Idahoans into prosperity,” he said. “Idaho is not Washington, D.C., and I would like to welcome congressman Labrador back home to the place where we balance our budget and conservative ideals guide us each day. Idahoans, including myself, look forward to hearing from congressman Labrador about the accomplishments he has made while being in Congress for over six years.”

Little said he’d heard some people hypothesize that Fulcher would make the switch, and others that he wouldn’t. “I think he saw that opportunity,” Little said, to move to a race with just one announced GOP rival instead of three. “We’re going to run our race. … It will not change our strategy. It might change some of our tactics.”

“There could be a couple more candidates,” he added.

“To me, it makes some sense,” said Jaclyn Kettler, a Boise State University political scientist, of the switcheroo. “This is a race that probably will offer a better chance for Fulcher for winning the primary. There are not as many strong competitors at this point.”

However, last week, Layne Bangerter, a former longtime aide to Idaho GOP Sen. Mike Crapo who headed the Trump presidential campaign in Idaho, said he’s considering the race, and others are also reportedly eyeing it.

As for Labrador’s endorsement of Fulcher as his chosen successor for his congressional seat, Kettler said, “Endorsements can make a difference, but they don’t necessarily have huge impacts.”

“Three-way races are really interesting,” Kettler said, “so I think it’ll be really fascinating to see who really starts focusing on who, and if Little and Ahlquist both kind of target Labrador, or where exactly those strategies move.”

“I fully support Russ Fulcher in his bid to become the next congressman from Idaho’s 1st District,” said Labrador, of Fulcher’s move. “Russ’ background as an international businessman, legislative Senate leader and champion of small government makes him an excellent candidate for U.S. Congress. Having him serve in Washington, D.C., would give me great confidence that the fight for liberty will continue. I am convinced that this is the best move for Republican Party unity and also the best move to change the direction of our state and country.”

‘Changing how

we do business

in Idaho’

The Legislative Council, the governing group of Idaho’s Legislature outside of legislative sessions, has agreed to the formation of a 10-member interim working group to study ethics and campaign finance laws in Idaho and recommend changes to next year’s Legislature, as proposed by Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, and House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley. “Quite frankly, this is an issue we’ve been talking about for years,” Hill said. “It fell through the cracks this session. But we feel like a more coordinated effort will be more successful than having individual lawmakers bring a bunch of different proposals.”

The panel, co-chaired by Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston, and Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, will hold its first meeting July 12 at the Capitol. North Idaho Rep. Sage Dixon, R-Ponderay, is among the 10 members.

In a statement, House and Senate Democrats welcomed the move. “Obviously we are encouraged the majority is finally willing to take this first step,” said Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum. “We are eager to work with them to propose meaningful reform. I’ve lost count of how many campaign finance and ethics bills we’ve sponsored over the years that never got out of committee. This is a great start toward changing how we do business here in Idaho.”