HJR2
Sun Valley denies sweep to hunting rights
Voters overwhelmingly threw their support behind the amendment that enshrines the collective right to hunt, fish and trap in the Idaho Constitution.
The measure had 73 percent approval and was carried by overwhelming majorities in every Idaho county with the exception of Blaine, where it was rejected by 65.3 percent of voters.
Idaho joins 13 other states with constitutions that protect certain outdoor activities. Voters in Kentucky and Nebraska approved similar measures protecting hunting and fishing only, while Wyoming voters mimicked Idaho and added trapping to their constitution.
BOISE LEGISLATIVE RACES
Dems win rematches in District 18
In 2010, Republicans Mitch Toryanski and Julie Ellsworth barely defeated Democrats Branden Durst and Janie Ward-Engelking for two of District 18’s three seats in Idaho’s most closely contested swing district.
Durst and Ward-Engelking came back for rematches and won.
Durst beat Toryanski 53.5 percent to 46.5 percent, and Ward-Engelking defeated Ellsworth 55 percent to 45 percent.
Also, incumbent Democrat Phylis King won a fourth term, defeating Republican nominee Brad Bolicek, 56 percent to 44 percent.
Meanwhile, in West Boise’s District 15, Republican Fred Martin held off a strong challenge from Democrat Betty Richardson for the Senate seat left vacant by retiring nine-term Republican Sen. John Andreason. Martin collected 52 percent of the vote.
State Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, a co-sponsor of a bill that sought to require women to submit to transvaginal ultrasounds before getting an abortion, easily survived Democrat James Mace’s challenge. More than 68 percent of the vote went to Winder.
EAGLE CITY HALL
Bond measure falls agonizingly short
Facing lease payments that are more costly than bond payments, Eagle voters still rejected a 15-year bond to purchase the building for $1.9 million.
The measure fell fewer than 30 votes shy of the two-thirds super-majority needed. Voters in favor totaled 6,512 — 66.4 percent — and 3,295 were opposed.
Eagle voters also rejected City Hall bond measures in 1997, 2003 and 2004.
SUN VALLEY, POCATELLO
Two new legislators for majority GOP
Republican House candidate Steve Miller of Fairfield won in District 26, a seat long occupied by retiring Democratic Rep. Wendy Jaquet of Ketchum.
In Pocatello, Republican Rep. Jim Guthrie won the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Diane Bilyeu, who retired.
U.S. HOUSE, 1ST DISTRICT
Farris: One more time against Labrador
Perhaps it’s not a surprise for a guy who played in the NFL despite his small stature, but Jimmy Farris sure shows some pluck when he says he’ll run for Congress again, despite losing by more than 102,000 votes.
“I am committed to devoting myself to public service and to giving the 1st District the representation it deserves,” Farris said.
The Democrat won 31 percent of the vote Tuesday against freshman GOP Rep. Raul Labrador, who carried 63 percent.
HOUSE SPEAKER
Denney says he wants to maintain post
Lawerence Denney said Wednesday that he will campaign in earnest to win two more years as the House’s top leader, despite a challenge from Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke of Oakley.
“The game is on,” said Denney, R-Midvale. “I’ll be aggressively campaigning from here on.”
The post will be decided at a closed-door party caucus Dec. 5.
