The most expensive House race in Idaho is happening in an unlikely spot - the solidly Democratic legislative district in Boise's North and East ends.

Both Republican Kevin McGowan and Democrat Brian Cronin are Ivy League-educated. McGowan, 35, was born in Philadelphia and has a bachelor's degree from Princeton. Cronin, 37, was born in New York and has a master's from Harvard. Both have lived and worked elsewhere, but decided to settle in Boise.

In many Idaho districts, where rural interests dominate and Republicans hold 75 percent of the seats, that sort of pedigree would raise eyebrows. But in District 19, the pair are engaged in a heated race centering on who would best represent city interests.

"While Brian and I agree on what needs to be done with transportation, education and quality-of-life issues, I'm the guy that can actually get it done," said McGowan, citing his access to the fellow Republicans who run the Legislature and a recent tractor ride with House Majority Leader Mike Moyle of Star.

Cronin countered that the Legislature needs more Democrats, not fewer. "The notion that Kevin can go in there and change their minds is absurd," he said. "We need to have real debate and real argument, real accountability and real transparency - things that a lopsided government don't get you."

The two met Wednesday at a forum sponsored by Boise Young Professionals, an arm of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. A standing-room crowd of more than 100 attended.

For all their agreement, there are differences. McGowan is pro-life; Cronin pro-choice. McGowan favors nuclear power plants in Idaho; Cronin opposes them. Cronin says Idaho should follow Utah's model and invest millions in infrastructure to attract high-tech businesses; McGowan says cutting corporate taxes is key to luring such companies.

Cronin seemed the likely heir to an open seat in a district that hasn't voted Republican since 1994. He was campaign press secretary for Jerry Brady for governor and Dave Bieter for Boise mayor. He chaired the Ada County Democrats and has the endorsement of the teachers' union, the League of Conservation Voters and former Gov. Cecil Andrus. As of the last reporting period in June, Cronin had raised about $24,000, with $5,000 from out of state.

But McGowan is outspending Cronin. His treasurer is Kitty Gurnsey, who served in the Legislature for 22 years and was the last Republican to represent the district. McGowan has loaned his campaign $22,000, more than half of about $39,000 raised. An additional $9,000 came from out of state. McGowan is backed by the state's biggest business lobby, the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry.

McGowan moved to Idaho four years ago. He worked on Wall Street after college, then moved to a tech firm in San Francisco. He now sells commercial real estate. Cronin came to Idaho when he was 14, left to attend college and then worked outside the state before returning in 1998. Married with two kids, Cronin owns a communications consulting firm and a preschool.

McGowan, who is single, is president of the North End Neighborhood Association. He said his strength will be convincing powerful Republicans that they need to help him. His pitch: "Remember that seat we won in District 19? I'm that guy. To keep that seat, I need you to hear me out on some of this transit stuff."

Cronin said McGowan would be like other House GOP moderates - ignored by the conservative majority. He also suggested McGowan is beholden to big business.

"I will be a champion for small business," Cronin said. "Big business already has plenty of advocates in the Legislature."

Dan Popkey: 377-6438. Popkey moderated Wednesday's Boise Young Professionals forum.