Idaho
Related: About this forumAll Democratic candidates for Idaho governor have been registered Republicans
Democratic voters next week will choose among one candidate on the ballot and two write-in candidates for governor all of whom have had a history with the Republican Party.
The only name on the Democratic primary ballot for governor has run for office as a Republican. Stephen Heidt, of Marsing, told the Idaho Statesman that he has been an unaffiliated voter since the 1990s. He ran for Congress as a Republican twice in Utah, once in 1986 and again in 1994.
In March 2020, he registered as a Democrat because he thought the party was most in line with his values, he said.
Heidt isnt the only one with ties to the Republican Party. Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad, a write-in candidate hoping to secure the nomination, was unable to make the candidate filing deadline last month because he was a registered Republican. He said his past affiliation with the GOP was strategic.
Read more at: https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/election/article261425317.html
2naSalit
(90,749 posts)Not entirely surprised by this. Party switching is a thing in Idaho, has been done for a variety of political reasons but I have known it to be more common than many would think. That being said, I am skeptical about some who switch parties at this late point.
It seems only Rs win in a state where there is no separation of church and state. Things are getting hinky with the Bundy kkklan trying to take over, will be interesting to see how that all turns out. Glad I moved away from that hot mess.
Vogon_Glory
(9,359 posts)As more and more people realize that their party has not lost touch with their values but also with reality, many will (rightly) realize that the Republican Party is a lost cause and register as Democrats.
Unfortunately, there may not be enough sane, thoughtful voters around to keep the Flurry With The Fringe On The Top (the Republican Party) from winning elections.
keithbvadu2
(39,063 posts)Even if the entire state and politicians were to go 100% republican/conservative,
they would subdivide into relative con/lib factions.
Ideological purity would reign supreme.
Cries of 'RINO' would ring throughout the land.