Idaho

1998 controller Election

The 1990s were a rough decade for Idaho Democrats, to say the least. While Idaho had been trending Republican due to Mormons abandoning Democrats and the decline of unions in the state, Democrats had managed to see some success in the late 1980s due to disorganization within the GOP and popular Democrats such as then-Governor Cecil Andrus. By the start of the next decade, however, Democratic fortunes in Idaho began rapidly declining. 1994 saw Republicans win every statewide office except for State Auditor, where incumbent J.D. Williams (D) narrowly won re-election.

Four years later, in 1998, Republicans looked to capitalize on their momentum and unseat Williams. Ron Pollock, a former aide to Schools Superintendent Anne Fox (R) who had placed third in the GOP primary for the office in '94, emerged as the Republican candidate after the primary in May. However, Pollock was unable to capitalize on GOP gains in the rapidly right-trending state, as on election day Williams won his final term by 13.6%. As of 2025, this is the last time Idaho elected a Democrat by double digits and the last time a Democrat was elected as Idaho's State Controller.

1998 ID-02 Election

As of 2025, this is the last time Idaho's 2nd district was decided by single digits.

Further Analysis Coming Soon!

A TALE OF TWO SEATS (2002 LD-8 ELECTIONS)

In 2002, voters in Idaho's 8th Legislative District* elected their Representatives in the Idaho House. In Seat A, incumbent Ken Roberts (R) won in a landslide against Jerry Lockhart (D), reflecting northern Idaho's rightward shift federally since the 1990s. However, in Seat B incumbent Chuck Cuddy (D) narrowly held onto his seat, reflecting both the phenomenon of down ballot lag and the extent to which Northern Idaho used to vote Democratic. Roberts continued to serve in the Idaho House until 2012, while Cuddy's victory proved to be the last gasp of Democratic strength in the district, as in 2004 he lost to Paul Shepherd by 64 votes (which was also the last time LD-8 had a remotely competitive election for their State House seats). While Idaho Democrats have gained ground in Boise and are seeing slow shifts in eastern Idaho (home to a large Mormon population), their days of winning Northern Idaho are long gone, and likely will be for the foreseeable future.

*Idaho elects one senator and two representatives for every legislative district, as does Arizona, Washington, the Dakota's, and New Jersey.

2010 LD-6 Senate election

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2014 LD-6 House elections

As of 2025, this is the last time a Democrat was elected to either of LD-6's seats, as in 2016 Rudolph retired and Rusche was defeated in a rematch.

Further Analysis Coming Soon!

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