As the nation experienced a blue wave in congressional midterm elections across the country, Democrats in Idaho could pick up a handful of seats in the state Legislature.
Based on unofficial, incomplete election results early Wednesday, the potential gains position Democrats to boost their 15-member presence in the 105-member state Legislature by four seats. With very few precincts counted as of 3 a.m. Wednesday in Bannock County, Democrats were leading in two other races in eastern Idaho’s Legislative District 29.
But in a deep red state, Republicans still hold supermajority control of both chambers of the Legislature — and maintain control of all seven statewide constitutional offices and the state’s four congressional seats.
The results of Tuesday’s election, published by the Secretary of State’s Office, are unofficial and preliminary. Results will not become official until they are certified by the Idaho State Board of Canvassers on Nov. 24.
In Tuesday’s election, Democrats were on track to have success in flipping seats in the state’s few competitive legislative districts in west Boise, the Magic Valley in central Idaho, and potentially Pocatello in eastern Idaho.
Where Democrats could pick up seats in the Idaho Legislature
In west Boise’s Legislative District 15, Democrats appeared on track to pick up two seats.
-Democratic challenger Jae Etchart was leading over Republican incumbent Rep. Dori Healey for one of the district’s seats in the Idaho House of Representatives. Etchart had 53% of the vote, or about 10,700 votes, over Healey’s nearly 47% of the vote, or roughly 9,500 votes. That’s based on unofficial results at 2:24 a.m. with 20 precincts reporting.
-In the district’s state Senate race, former Boise School District Trustee Nancy Gregory was leading against Republican candidate Desi Burbank for a seat left vacant by Republican Sen. Codi Galloway, who did not seek reelection. Gregory led with roughly 54% of the vote, or about 11,000 votes, over Galloway’s nearly 46% of the vote, or almost 9,300 votes. That’s based on results at 2:24 a.m. with 20 precincts fully reporting.
-The district’s lone incumbent Democrat, Rep. Steve Berch, was in a healthy lead against Republican challenger Steve Keyser. Berch led with nearly 58% of the vote, or more than 11,800 votes, over Keyser’s 42% of the vote, or nearly 8,600 votes. That’s based on results at 2:24 a.m. with 20 precincts reporting.
In central Idaho’s Legislative District 26, Democrats were also leading in two legislative races that would represent progressive pickups if results hold.
-In the district’s House Seat A race, Democratic candidate Anita Janis was leading incumbent Rep. Mike Pohanka, R-Jerome. Janis had received 49.5% of the vote, or nearly 8,100 votes, and Pohanka had received almost 45% of the vote, or roughly 3,400 votes. A third candidate, independent Bella Schiffler, had received 5.5% of the vote, or about 900 votes. That’s based on results at 2:24 a.m. with 5 of 33 precincts fully reporting, and 27 precincts partially reporting.
-In the district’s House Seat B race, Democratic candidate Kevin Marsh was leading Republican Lyle Johnstone in the race for the vacant legislative seat held by retiring Rep. Jack Nelsen, R-Jerome. Marsh had received 57.8% of the votes, or 9,350 votes, over Johnstone’s 42% of the votes, or about 6,800 votes. That’s based on results at 2:24 a.m. with 5 of 33 precincts fully reporting, and 27 precincts partially reporting.
-In the district’s Senate race, incumbent Democratic Sen. Ron Taylor, R-Hailey, was leading Republican challenger Bryan Hyde and independent Shaila Tate. Taylor had 55% of the vote, or nearly 9,000 votes, compared to Hyde’s nearly 39.6% of the vote, or about 6,450 votes. Tate received nearly 5.3% of the vote, or about 860 votes. That’s based on results at 2:24 a.m. with 5 of 33 precincts fully reporting, and 27 precincts partially reporting.
In Bannock County’s Legislative District 29, Democrats led two legislative races:
-In a House race there, incumbent Republican Rep. Dustin Manwaring was trailing in his re-election bid to Democratic challenger Mary Shea. Shea led with nearly 62.3% of the vote, or almost 3,300 votes, over Manwaring’s 37.7% of the vote, or almost 2,000 votes. That’s based on results at 2:24 a.m. with none of 31 precincts fully reporting.
-In the district’s other House race, former Democratic state Rep. Nate Roberts was leading over Republican challenger Jennifer Miles. Roberts had 61.75% of the vote, or 3,266 votes, over Miles’s 38.25% of the vote, or 2,023 votes. That’s based on results at 2:24 a.m. with none of 31 precincts fully reporting. The seat is held by Republican Rep. Tanya Burgoyne, who lost her primary election.
A North Idaho race to unseat a Republican state lawmaker was tight.
In Legislative District 6, incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Foreman faced a close challenge from Democratic opponent Robin Weldy. Foreman led with 57.4% of the vote, or about 14,600 votes, to Weldy’s nearly 42.6% of the vote, or nearly 10,800 votes. That’s based on unofficial results at 2:24 a.m. with seven of 54 precincts fully reporting.
After a primary that ousted nine incumbent Republicans, the Legislature is set to change
Regardless of Tuesday’s election results, the Legislature was set for significant turnover. After a primary election where nine Republican incumbents lost, fifteen legislative races had no incumbents running for re-election.
But a few of them had familiar faces running, such as Scott Herndon, a former Republican state senator who was leading in his bid to regain his seat in Legislative District 1, and Roberts, a Democrat who previously held his legislative seat in Pocatello. Herndon led with 57.27% of the vote, or 14,838 votes, over independent Steve Johnson, who had 42.73% of the vote, or 11,069 votes. That’s based on unofficial results at 2:43 a.m. with 34 precincts fully reporting.
One House seat, in District 24, had a Republican vying for the office for the first time, Chance Requa, who faced no challenger.
Thirteen incumbents — largely Republicans — ran unopposed in the general election, including Republican Reps. Jordan Redman, from Coeur d’Alene, and Rep. John Shirts, from Weiser who just became Idaho’s top federal prosecutor.
