Who’s Holdin’ Out on Roberts?

By Branden at August 27th, 2009.

Yesterday, Ken Roberts, current Idaho State House Majority Caucus Chair announced a long list of current legislators that have endorsed his bid to become the Republican nominee for Idaho’s First Congressional District (CD1). Roberts is currently in a head-to-head match up with political newcomer Vaughn Ward for the right to face first term Democratic Congressman Walt Minnick.

While endorsements are often times overstated, with Roberts’ list, the absence of certain legislators is more notable than the presence of those on it. Specifically, Roberts is lacking the public support of several members from his House Republican Caucus that live in CD1.

The holdouts are geographically dispersed throughout CD1 ranging from the far north to the far south. The ideological dispositions of the holdouts are also varied ranging from the ultra-conservative in Phil Hart, Jim Clark, and Steven Thayn to relatively moderate in Eric Anderson and Pat Takasugi. In total, Roberts has failed to earn the public support of ten CD1 House Republicans. As for Senate Republicans, Roberts does even worse, only boasting the support of six.

Of note, state Senator John McGee, who at one point was considered by some a front runner for the nomination, has declined to support Roberts. McGee may or may not still be considering a run, but given his connection to a potentially explosive situation regarding the firing of former Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Director Pam Lowe, his own aspirations are likely unrelated.

Also of note, Roberts has been unable to convince any of the Senators north of his own legislative district to support him. Speculation has run high in political circles about the possibility of a Senate Republican, possibly Mike Jorgenson, seeking the nomination. While no one has put their hat in the ring, this could be an explanation to the noticeable absence of Senate Republicans.

A more likely explanation is Roberts role in killing the transportation funding sought by Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and Senate Republicans last legislative session.

One name on the list worth noting, however, is state Representative Bob Nonini, who many speculated was mulling over his own plan to run. In fact, the Spokesman Review’s Huckleberries Online was duped early in the summer by a hoax claiming Nonini had announced his plan to run for CD1. With his name as a supporter of Roberts, it should serve as the final conclusive evidence that Nonini isn’t going anywhere.

If the House Republican Caucus holdouts continue to stay uncommitted, it could mean the possibility of the entrance of another named candidate into the race. However, given the support of all three legislators from former Congressman Bill Sali’s legislative district, he is likely not the one.

Tags: First Congressional District, Idaho, Ken Roberts, Walt Minnick