This year’s unique presidential race has gripped the attention of most Idahoans, generating lots of talk, plenty of Facebook posts and considerable chatter.
That interest among the Idaho population is not reciprocated by the efforts of the presidential campaigns in Idaho. By any measure --- candidate visits, contributions, media effort or organization --- Idaho barely registers.
Idaho is a rather small state in population with only four electoral votes to offer the Idaho winner. It also has a track record of backing Republican presidential candidates. The last time a Democrat took the state was in 1964 when Lyndon Johnson beat Barry Goldwater, 50.92% to 49.08%.
Still, the level of focus on Idaho this year is extremely small.
Candidate visits have been non-existent for the general election. Donald Trump, Jr., was recently in Idaho Falls and Boise. Both Mike Pence and Tim Kaine have popped in for a single fundraiser each.
I am puzzled that Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson has not made a significant swing through the state. His fade in the polls after his Aleppo moment is probably a key reason.
The only general election candidate to tour Idaho so far is independent Evan McMullin. He appeared in front of a crowd of over 500 recently in Idaho Falls and also before an even bigger group of over 1,000 in Rexburg. He has a Boise event set for Boise High School (as I write this).
Keep an eye on McMullin’s Idaho total on Nov. 8. He is picking up steam among Idaho’s LDS community. In Utah, he is locked in a close fight for first place with Donald Trump. I would be surprised if he can pull off the same trick in Idaho given the relatively smaller size of the LDS population in Idaho compared to Utah.
On the fundraising front, Donald Trump has raised a total of $226,829 in Idaho over the entire campaign. His strongest areas of Idaho for fundraising are the Boise area and North Idaho, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. Most of his donations are small which probably indicates they have been triggered by online solicitations, but Pence did hold a major Boise event on Sept. 1.
Hillary Clinton has raised quite a bit more with a total of $335,116. Her strongest Idaho contribution areas are the Sun Valley area and Boise Valley. Her running mate Kaine did an event in Ketchum in August.
Both candidates’ Idaho fundraising numbers are far off the pace of 2012 when Romney hauled in a massive $4,228,429 out of the Gem State while President Obama brought in a significant $981,939 in Idaho dollars. Trump’s Idaho number so far is but 5% of Romney’s total. Clinton has done relatively better in that she has generated 34% of Obama’s total 2012 Idaho contributions.
None of the campaigns are spending much money in Idaho. A few yard signs have popped up around the state. In Idaho Falls I have seen Trump/Pence and Clinton yard signs (maybe a total of 3 of each) and just recently saw my first Johnson/Weld sign.
So far, no campaign has spent any money in Idaho on television. McMullin is running some Facebook ads that seem to be targeting East Idaho.
Trump does have a bit of an organizational presence in Idaho with his effort chaired by Gov. Butch Otter and First Lady Lori Otter. Offsetting that, to some degree, is Sen. Mike Crapo’s and Rep. Mike Simpson’s withdrawal of their endorsements of Trump after the release of the Access Hollywood video.
Idaho’s role was a bit bigger during the nomination process. Cruz thumped Trump in the Idaho GOP primary while Clinton was swamped in the Democratic caucus by Sanders.
The winning candidate next month will not owe Idaho much.
Steve Taggart is an Idaho Falls attorney specializing in bankruptcy (www.MaynesTaggart.com). He has an extensive background in politics and public policy. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .