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Idaho Republicans fight to retain Legislature seats against challengers in GOP primary

Voters in Tuesday’s GOP primary decided whether to continue supporting Republican leaders in the Idaho Legislature — some of whom have been crafting state laws for more than a decade but were challenged by opponents who said they’re not conservative enough for Idaho.

With all precincts reporting, Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, won a Republican nomination for a seventh term. Winder secured 53.9% of the votes in District 20, while challenger Rosa Martinez received 46.1%, according to the Ada County Clerk’s Office.

“I think what we’re seeing is the more traditional Idaho conservatives are winning the day, and the far-right has not been able to make any significant inroads in our constitutional offices or our legislative offices,” Winder told the Idaho Statesman on Tuesday.

Incumbent senators have been targeted by conservative activists hoping to move the more moderate chamber further to the right. Thirteen of the candidates backed by Citizens Alliance of Idaho Political Action Committee, which has raised about $350,000, were running to unseat incumbent senators, including Winder.

Last year, Winder called the Idaho Freedom Foundation, a right-wing lobbying group, a “huge threat” to the state’s democracy.

Incumbents vying for Senate seats

Incumbents were also pitted against each other after the redistricting process, which redrew political boundaries based on 2020 U.S. Census data. Senate Assistant Majority Leader Abby Lee, R-Fruitland, and four-term Sen. Jim Rice, R-Caldwell, were running for the same seat in Legislative District 9, alongside challengers Kayla Dunn and Jordan Marques.

With over 9,000 ballots counted, Lee bested challengers with 34.9% of the votes, while Rice came in third with 24.4% of the votes. Rice trailed challenger Jordan Marques, who had 29.6% of the votes.

Senate Majority Leader Kelly Anthon won the Republican nomination in District 27 with 73.8% of the votes, against opponent Jeanie Hakes.

Republican voters in Legislative District 14 decided among five-term Sen. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, who chairs the Senate Education Committee; three-term Sen. C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle; and challenger Katie Donahue.

With over 12,600 ballots counted, Grow will to move on to the November election. He led with 47.8% of the votes, while Thayn trailed with 40.3% of the votes. Challenger Katie Donahue received 11.9% of the votes.

In North Idaho, with over 13,800 ballots counted, Scott Herndon beat Sen. Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, who ran for reelection. Herndon has 56.2% of the votes, while Woodward has 43.8%.

Incumbents struggle to retain seats

Other key leaders running for reelection, and facing opponents, included Jeff Agenbroad, R-Nampa; and Majority Caucus Chair Mark Harris, R-Soda Springs.

Challenger Brian Lenney beat Agenbroad. Lenney secured 57.6% of the votes, while Agenbroad received 42.4%.

Harris, meanwhile, beat his opponent, Doug Toomer. Harris received 63.7% of the votes, according to the Idaho secretary of state’s office.

Some House Republicans are also seeking Senate seats. That included Rep. Codi Galloway, who challenged five-term Sen. Fred Martin in Boise’s Legislative District 15. Galloway won with 53% of the votes. Martin earned 41.2%, while challenger Dorothy Greenzang had 5.8%.

Rep. Ben Adams, R-Nampa, roundly defeated his opponent, Thomas Netzley, and will be the Republican Senate candidate for District 12 in November. Adams has 81.7% of ballots against Netzley.

Rep. Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell, has been defeated in his bid for the Senate by challenger Chris Trakel. Trakel won with 53.8% of the votes.

Boyle beating Syme, by six votes

In House races, more moderate Rep. Scott Syme, R-Wilder, faced far-right Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale. Boyle appeared to beat Syme by six votes, according to the unofficial results. The totals: 4,636 to 4,630.

Former Rep. Britt Raybould is vying for her House seat back after she lost to Idaho Freedom Foundation-aligned Rep. Ron Nate in East Idaho. Raybould appeared to beat Nate by 36 votes. The totals: 2,641 to 2,605.

And Todd Engel — who, before his conviction was vacated, served time in federal prison for his involvement in the 2014 armed standoff at Cliven Bundy’s ranch — challenged Rep. Sage Dixon, R-Ponderay. Dixon chairs the House ethics committee that recommended expulsion for Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, a North Idaho lawmaker who was later convicted of rape. Dixon won with 52.3% of the votes.

All Idaho legislators serve two-year terms. The winners of the Republican primary move on to face Democratic, Constitution Party and Libertarian candidates in the November general election.