>>> PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STAYED OF IDAHO, BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>>> AS THE DUST SETTLES AFTER THE PRIMARY ELECTION, WE'RE DIVING INTO THE FACTORS BEHIND TUESDAY NIGHT'S BIGGEST WINS, AS WELL AS THE SEISMIC LEGISLATIVE TURNOVER.

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "IDAHO REPORTS."

THIS WEEK WE BREAK DOWN THE MASSIVE TURNOVER IN THE IDAHO HOUSE AND SENATE, AS WELL AS TWO INCUMBENTS WHO WILL LOSE THEIR SEATS IN STATE WOULD IT OFFICE -- STATEWIDE OFFICE.

BUT FIRST, ON THURSDAY MIKE CRAPO WAS ONE OF 11 SENATORS TO VOTE AGAINST A $40 BILLION ALLOCATION TO SEND AID TO UKRAINE AS RUSSIA CONTINUES ITS ATTACKS.

81 SENATORS VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE AID PACKAGE, INCLUDING IDAHO U.S.

SENATOR JIM RISCH.

THE PACKAGE PASSED THE HOUSE EARLIER THIS MONTH WITH 57 REPUBLICANS VOTING "NO" INCLUDING IDAHO'S U.S. REPRESENTATIVE RUSS FILL CHER.

MIKE SIMPSON VOTED YES.

>>> AFTER A CONTENTION LONG-FOUGHT PRIMARY THAT DIVIDED CONSERVATIVES AND DREW NATIONAL ATTENTION, GOVERNORS WON HIS RACE ON TUESDAY AND NOW MOVES FORWARD TO THE JENELECTION.

SEEKING A SECOND TERM AFTER DEFEATING CURRENT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JANICE McGEACHIN AND SIX OTHER PRIMARY CHALLENGES.

>> I'M TRULY HUBBLEBLED -- HUMBLED AND HOW THEY'VE TRUST ME TO CONTINUE TO BE YOUR GOVERNOR, JUST LIKE NEARLY EVERY DAY IN THE LAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS, I FELT THE HONOR OF SERVING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO IN GOOD TIMES AND IN TOUGH TIMES.

AND ONCE AGAIN I'M HUMBLED BY THE AWESOME OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AND WORK FOR THE GREAT PEOPLE OF IDAHO.

I CAN'T SAY I BLAME ANYONE FOR WANT BE TO BE -- WANTING TO BE RIGHT HERE IN IDAHO.

WE'RE LOWERING TAXES, GETTING PEOPLE TO WORK, SECURING A STRONG FUTURE FOR OUR PEOPLE.

OUR CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO GOVERNING SHOWS IN OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO STANDING UP FOR IDAHOANS THAT CARE ABOUT BACKING THE BLUE, EMPOWERING PARENTS, FIGHTING AGAINST FEDERAL OVERREACH, PROTECTING PREBORN LIVES, AND DEFENDING THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

WE'VE CHAMPIONS TAX CUTS FOR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES, GIVING BACK A BILLION DOLLARS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.

AND YES, THERE'S MORE TO COME.

>> BUT TWO OTHER STATEWIDE INCUMBENTS LOST THEIR PRIMARIES.

FIVE-TERM ATTORNEY GENERAL LAWRENCE WASDEN LOST TO RAUL LA BRAR DO AND SUPERINTENDENT SHARI YBARRA LOST TO DEBBIE CRICHED.

JOINING ME IS FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE BEN YSURSA, HOUSE ASSISTANT MAJORITY LEADER REPRESENTATIVE JASON MONKS, BETSY RUSSELL OF THE IDAHO PRESS, AND KEVIN RICHERT IN IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS.

TWO STATEWIDE CANDIDATES IN ONE PRIMARY IS LOCAL SOMETHING TO LOSE.

WHAT WERE THE FACTORS IN WASDEN'S LOSS?

>> WELL, IN THE WADING/LAR BRA DOR RACE, EARLY ON WHEN RAUL ENTERED THE RACE, HE OBVIOUSLY HAD GREAT NAME I.D.

HE ALSO HAD VERY STRONG ORGANIZATION WELL THE -- WITHIN THE PARTY, FORMER PARTY CHAIRMAN.

AND WAS RAISES MONEY AT A VERY GOOD -- RAISING MONEY AT A VERY GOOD CLIP AND HE HAD A LOT OF OUT-OF-STATE SUPPORT COMING IN.

AND LAWRENCE TO HIS CREDIT AND I SHOULD DISCLOSE, A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, AND -- HE -- OVER THE 20 YEARS HE WAS IN OFFICE, HE CALLED THEM STRAIGHT, BALLS AND STRIKES AND SOMETIMES OVER THE YEARS YOU PICK UP SOME FOLKS WHO DON'T LIKE WHAT YOU DID.

BUT HE -- I THINK WAS A GREAT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

BUT I THINK WHAT WAS DIFFERENCE THIS -- DIFFERENT THIS TIME, HE HAD AN OPPONENT WHO WAS PRETTY ADEPT LIKE WHAT BRA DOR ANDS WITH -- LABRADOR AND WAS WELL FENDED.

>> IT'S NO SECRET THAT MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS ATTORNEY GENERAL WASDEN BUTTED HEADS WITH THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AS WELL AS OTHER EXECUTIVE OFFICES.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT ASSESSMENT, THAT HE CALLED BALLS AND STRIKES FAIRLY?

>> I THINK HE ATTEMPTED TO CALL THEM THE WAY HE LIKED THEM.

OBVIOUSLY, IF I'M SITTING IN THE LEGISLATURE, DO I AGREE WITH HIS DECISIONS ON A LOT OF ISSUES?

NO.

BUT I DON'T AGREE WITH MY WIFE ON A LOT OF ISSUES, EITHER, SO THAT'S NOT A BAD THING.

YOU KNOW, LAWRENCE, I CALL HIM A FRIEND.

I CONSIDER HIM A FRIEND.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT WE ACTUALLY COACHED BASKETBALL TOGETHER MANY YEARS AGO.

WE WERE THE COACHES.

AND SO I KNEW LAWRENCE LONG BEFORE I WAS EVER INTERESTED IN POLITICS AT THE TIME.

RAUL IS A REALLY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE AS WELL.

BEEN TO MY KIDS' WEDDINGS.

FULL CLIS CLOSURE -- DISCLOSURE THERE.

SO FRIENDS RUNNING AGAINST FRIENDS SOMETIMES IS WHAT HAPPENS.

AND RAUL, YOU KNOW, HE'S GOT THAT NAME I.D., THAT HELPS.

THE LONGER YOU'RE IN OFFICE, THE MORE ENEMIES YOU ACCUMULATE BECAUSE YOU DO THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE GONNA DISAGREE WITH.

AND OF YEEM -- EVERY TIME YOU DO THAT YOU ACCUMULATE PEOPLE NOT HAPPY WITH YOU AND THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW FOR ME, THAT LIST, AND AT SOME POINT YOU'RE GOING TO REACH A BREAKING POINT WHEN THERE'S ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT DON'T LIKE YOU THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MOVE ALONG.

>> FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, BETSY, WAS IT THAT VOTERS WERE UNHAPPY WITH WASDEN OR THEY WANTED WHAT BRA DOOR?

>> I -- LA WERE DOR?

>> I DIDN'T HEAR A LOT OF -- FOR WASDEN.

I HEARD A LOT FROM THE LEGISLATURE AND WE HEARD QUITE A BIT ABOUT THAT.

BUT WHAT I HEARD A LOT MORE AND WHAT I THINK A LOT OF VOTERS SAW WHAT IS A WHOLE LOT OF OUT-OF-STATE GROUP INVOLVEMENT IN THAT RACE.

NATIONAL GROUPS, MOSTLY OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C., RUNNING INDEPENDENT CAMPAIGNS AGAINST WASDEN WITHOUT MENTIONING LABRADOR.

BUT CLEARLY THEY WERE IN FAVOR OF LABRADOR AND THAT'S WHY THEY WERE TEARING DOWN LAWRENCE WASDEN.

ON -- IN MANY CASES, THINGS THAT HE HAD NEVER BEEN CRITICIZED BEFORE, THINGS THAT WEREN'T EVEN ISSUES IN IDAHO.

AND SO WE SAW OUT-OF-STATE FACTORS COME INTO PLAY IN WHAT'S CALLS I THINK MOSTLY BEEN AN IN-STATE RACE IN THE PAST HERE IN IDAHO.

>> AND YET I DO THINK THAT SOME OF THE MESSAGING IN THIS CAMPAIGN REALLY APPEALED TO VOTERS WHO WANTED A CHANGE.

I MEAN, IN THE DEBATE, LAWRENCE WASDEN TALKED A COUPLE TIMES ABOUT WE'RE GOING TO PICK OUR LEGAL BATTLES BASED ON THE CONSTITUTION, NOT TO GET ON FOX NEWS.

AND I HAVE TO LOOK AT THE VOTE RALLY -- TALLIES AND SOME OF THE BIG MAJORITIES THAT LABRADOR RANG UP IN SOME MORE CONSERVATIVE COUNTIES.

WAIT A MINUTE, I DO WANT AN ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO'S OUT THERE FIGHTING FOR IDAHO AND IF I GOT SOME ON FOX NEWS, MORE POWER TO THEM.

>> THAT WASN'T THE ONLY RACE IN WHICH AN INCUMBENT LOST ON TUESDAY.

SUPERINTENDENT SHARRI YBARRA ALSO CLAUSE TO DEBBIE CRITCHFIELD.

HERE'S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO GET WRITE ON WORK ON HOW WE ADVOCATE FOR RESOURCES.

WE WANT TO GET RIGHT TO WORK ON SOLUTIONS FOR FACILITIESES AND MAINTENANCE SO WE CAN TAKE THE BURDEN OFF OF LOCAL TAX BASES.

OUR TAXPAYERS ARE TIRED OF PAYING AND OUR SCHOOLS ARE TIRED OF ASKING.

SO I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER PART.

AND ALSO HOW WE HELP OUR RURAL SCHOOL OFFICIALS.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE IN ALMOST EVERY AREA AROUND THE STATE.

>> NOT ONLY DID SUPERINTENDENT YBARRA LOSE BUT SHE CAME THIRD IN A THREE-WAY PRIMARY WITH ONLY 26% OF THE VOTE.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> I THINK THAT SHE DIDN'T HAVE A LANE IN THE END.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK AND I SAID THAT I COULD MAKE A CASE FOR ALL THREE CANDIDATES WINNING AND ONE OF THEM DID WIN.

[LAUGHTER] >> BUT SO I GOT THAT ONE RIGHT!

>> GOOD JOB.

>> I THINK WHEN HAPPENED, DEBBIE CRIECHFIELD DID EXTREMELY WELL IN -- CRITCH FELD DID EXTREMELY WAL IN IDAHO.

IT'S HOW SHE WON IN 2014.

ADA COUNTY TO SOME LEAGUE.

DEBBIE CRITCHFIELD DID VERY WELL THERE.

AND ONCE SHE HAD THAT SEALED UP, BRANDEN DURST DID REALLY WELL IN NORTH IDAHO, CONSERVATIVE COUNTIES.

ALSO YOU HAVE YBARRA THE WHO DIDN'T RAISE A LOT OF MONEY ON TOP OF THE ALL THE ELECTORAL CHALLENGES SHE WAS FACING.

SHE DIDN'T HAVE A PATH OR A LANE.

>> SUPERINTENDENT I BAREA HAS -- YBARRA HAS HAD SOME CLASHES WITH THE LEGISLATURE, EVEN FILED A LAWSUIT.

HER CRITICS IN THE LEGISLATURE HAVE BEEN MANY.

SHE CERTAINLY HAD GROWN IN THE ROLE.

SHE HAD A WEAK START WHEN SHE FIRST CAME IN.

SHE WAS MUCH MORE SELF-ASSURED.

BUT DEBBIE CRITCHFIELD RAN AN AMAZING CAMPAIGN.

SHE WAS, VERY, VERY INVOLVED IN POLICY AS PRESIDENT OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

SHE HAD SUCH A GRASP OF THE DETAILS AND HER CAMPAIGN WAS NOT A PERSONAL OR AN IDEOLOGICAL CAMPAIGN.

IT WAS ABOUT WHAT SHE WANTED TO DO AS SUPERINTENDENT AND WHAT WAS NOT BEING DONE.

AND SO I THINK THAT HELPED PUSH HER OVER THE TOP.

>> AND AGAIN, AS WE TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK, A LEVEL OF FUND-RAISING THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN IN A STATE SUPERINTENDENT'S PRIMARY AT LEAST IN THE PAST 20 YEARS.

>> RIGHT.

AS YOU WERE SAYING, BRANDEN DURST WOULD HAVE BROKEN THAT RECORD HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE AMAZING AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> OUTRAGED DURST BY A -- OUTRAISED DURST BY A FACTOR OF FIVE.

AN AOUT Y OUTSTANDING -- OUTSTANDING AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> I WANTED TO GET YOUR TAKE FROM THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ON CRITCHFIELD'S WIN.

>> WELL, I DON'T SEEK FOR THE CAUCUS, BUT WHAT I THINK, I THINK SHE HAD A BROUGHT STRONG CAMPAIGN.

OBVIOUSLY, AND SHE HAD A MESSAGE.

AND SHE HAD A PATH FORWARD AS FAR AS HER VISION OF WHERE THIS SHOULD GO.

WHICH WAS DIFFERENT.

YOU KNOW, YBARRA WASN'T A DIFFERENT MESSAGE.

IT WAS KIND OF LIKE THIS IS WHERE WE ARE, THIS IS WHAT WE'VE DONE.

DEBBIE HAD THAT WHOLE PACKAGE THERE.

SHE HAD A GREAT WAM PAIN.

SHE HAD A -- CAMPAIGN.

SHE HAD A GREAT PAGE AND THEY WAS INVOLVED POLITICALLY IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS AND SHE WAS FOUNDING -- POUNDING THE PAVEMENT.

EVERY EVENT I WENT TO, DEBBIE WAS THERE AND WORKING.

AND I'VE SAID ALL ALONG, WHOEVER KNOCKS THE MOST DOORS WINS.

AND SOMETIMES IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN SOMEBODY WORKED HARD.

AND I KNOW DEBBIE WORKED VERY HARD IN THAT CAMPAIGN TO HER WHY >> YOU KNOW, THE OTHER CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE, BRANDEN DURST, HAS BEEN VOCAL WITH HIS CRITICISM FOR NOT DOING MORE TO STOP UNAFFILIATED VOTERS AS WELL AS DEMOCRATS WHO SWITCHED THEIR AFFILIATION BEFORE THE PRIMARY.

THEN THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ACTUALLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CONSIDER DOING IF THEY WERE UNAFFILIATED, TO AFFILIATE WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

OF WHY NOT LET REPUBLICANS PICK THEIR OWN CANDIDATES?

>> WELL, YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE GUY WHO WAS THE PERSON WHO LOST THE LAWSUIT ON THE OPEN PRIMARY AND THE CLOSED PRIMARY.

THE OPEN PRIMARY WORKED FINE FOR A LOT OF YEARS IN IDAHO, IN MY OPINION.

THE CLOSED PRY MAYOR ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE -- PRY MAYOR ON THE REPUBLICAN -- PRIMARY, THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, THE UNAFFILIATED.

AND LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE COMING ON THE SHOW, WE DON'T KNOW YET HOW MANY UNAFFILIATES CHANGED TO THE -- IT WOULDN'T BE CHANGING TO THE DEMOCRAT PARTY.

CHANGE TOOK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WHERE THE BALL GAME IS.

BECAUSE ONE THING THAT'S ABUNDANTLY CLEAR, WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT TODAY AND WHEN YOU SEE THE CANDIDATES, LIKE DEBBIE AND OTHERS SAYING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO AND ALL THAT, THE NOVEMBER 8TH ELECTION SEEMS TO BE IRRELEVANT, BECAUSE THE ENTIRE BALL GAME IS IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION, WHICH IS KIND OF LIKE A GENERAL THEN.

SO I THINK MORE PEOPLE YOU GET TO PARTICIPATE, THE BETTER.

>> YOU KNOW, AND ALSO I WAS LOOKING AT SOME OF THE VOTE TOTALS COUNTY BY COUNTY.

THERE WERE MULTIPLE CONSERVATIVES IN WHICH CONSERVATIVE COUNTIES DID VERY WELL.

LIKE MOON AND GIDDINGS.

WHERE DURST CAME IN SECOND AND THIRD PLACE.

THOUSANDS OF CONSERVATIVE VOTERS CHOSE NOT TO SWROAT FOR HIM AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> IT SPEAKS WHO WHATETIF MONK IS TALKING ABOUT.

SHE CARRIED SOME COUNTIES THAT DEFINITELY WENT FOR MORE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES.

I'M LOOKING AT THE LIST.

SHE CARRIED IDAHO COUNTY, YOU KNOW.

YOU KNOW, SHE CARRIED, YOU KNOW -- THAT'S THE ONE THAT JUMPS OUT THE LIST.

IT WASN'T JUST THAT SHE AND WELL IN THE MAGIC VALLEY IN SOUTHERN IDAHO WHERE YOU WOULD EXPECT HER TO DO WELL.

>> THERE WERE CLOSER RACES IN WHICH THERE WERE ONLY 4,000 VOTES BETWEEN DOROTHY MOON AND PHIL MCGRANE AT THE END OF THE STATE IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE RACE.

WE TAUGHT UP WITH -- CAUGHT UP WITH PHIL MCGRANE ON USE NIGHT.

HERE'S WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> I REALLY HOPE TONIGHT THIS WILL BE A REFLECTION JUST RECOGNIZING HOW IMPORTANT EXPERIENCE IS AND THAT HAVE -- THAT SOME OF THESE ROLES, ARE TECHNICAL ROLES.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE HERE IS WE'VE RUN SMOOTH ELECTIONS.

TODAY IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT.

WE HAD TURNOUT HIGHER THAN WE EXPECTED IN THE COUNTY AND I THINK THAT'S A GREAT SIGN BOTH FOR THE CAMPAIGN BUT ALSO ELECTIONS IN GENERAL.

>> THAT WAS A MUCH CLOSER RACE.

ONLY 4,000 VOTES SEPARATED MCGRANE FROM MOON AND MCGRANE WON WITH A PLURALITY, NOT A MAJORITY.

IF YOU COMBINE SOUZA AND MOON TOGETHER, THERE WERE MORE VOTERS WHO WENT FOR A MORE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE THAN PHIL MCGRANE.

IS THERE A LESSON THERE?

>> WELL, THAT WHOLE RACE, AND FOR DISCLOSURE, I WAS PHILMAN GRAIK OWN -- PHIL MCGRANE'S CHAIRMAN.

AND HE'S VERY QUALIFIED.

I'M AN ELECTION GUY.

I'M AN ELECTION TURNOUT GUY AND I'M A GUY THAT THINKS WE HAVE SAFE, SECURE ELECTIONS IN THE STATE.

I -- 57%, IF YOU GO, PHIL WON 43%, I THINK MOON HAD 41.

ANYWAY, 57% OF THE PEOPLE ARE DENIERS OF THE ELECTION.

STILL THINK TRUMP WON THE ELECTION.

THAT REALLY BOTHERS ME.

STILL DOES.

NATIONWIDE.

AND I THINK IDAHO ELECTIONS ESPECIALLY ARE SAFE AND SECURE AND FOR THE FIRST TIME WE'RE GONNA HAVE A POST ELECTION AUDIT.

THE LEGISLATURE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, THE POST-ELECTION AUDIT BILL THAT CYBERSECURITY TASK FORCE I WAS ON WITH GOVERNOR LITTLE AND OTHERS RECOMMENDED.

THAT'S GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE FIRST TIME COMING UP THE CANVASSING DATE IS THE 24TH.

SO RIGHT THEN YOU'LL HEAR AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF WHAT CANDIDATE -- COUNTIES WILL BE AUDITED AND WHATEVER.

AND I THINK WE CAN -- IN MY MIND, HOPEFULLY PUT TO REST, BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS, THE BIG LIE CANNOT BE THE BASIC TENET OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND I WOULD HOPE IDAHO WOULD NOT DO THAT.

BUT YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT 57% WHO BELIEVE IT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MONK, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> THERE ARE A LOT SAID THERE.

AS FAR AS -- WHICH ASPECT OF THAT?

I MEAN.

>> SO THE IDEA THAT THE MAJORITY OF IDAHO PRIMARY REPUBLICAN VOTERS VOTED FOR SECRETARY OF STATE CANDIDATES WHO THINK, BELIEVE, INCORRECTLY THAT TRUMP WON THE ELECTION, THAT THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN FROM BIDEN.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF ALL OF SOUZA'S SUPPORTERS WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED MOON.

I DON'T MAKE THAT ANALOGY THERE.

IN FACT, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN MY CIRCLES AND WE SAID HOW MANY VOTES IS SOUZA TAKING AWAY FROM PHIL.

AND I DON'T KNOW THOSE NUMBERS.

I'M SURE THERE WERE SOME.

I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WOULD HAVE PLAYED OUT.

YOU KNOW, ELECTIONS, I DO THINK IDAHO HAS GOT GOOD ELECTIONS AND VERY -- I'M VERY HAPPY WITH THE WAY WE'VE HAD THAT.

I'VE HAD QUESTIONS FROM CONSTITUENTS WHO HAVE COME TO ME AND SAID, WHAT ABOUT THIS.

I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GO THE SECRETARY OF STATE, BEEN ABLE TO GO TO PHIL ACTUALLY IN SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS AND ASK SPECIFICALLY, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THESE THINGS AND HAD REALLY GOOD RESPONSES.

MOST OF THE CONSTITUENTS THAT HAVE HAD THOSE CONCERNS TO ME HAVE BEEN SATISFIED WITH THOSE ANSWERS.

BUT YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAD A MOVIE COME OUT, 2,000 MULES, THAT VERY POPULAR RIGHT NOW.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SEEN THAT.

GETTING A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS COME BACK TO ME MAKING SURE, HAVE YOU SEEN THIS.

HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THAT.

THERE'S STINGS THAT HAPPEN -- THINGS THAT HAPPEN NATIONALLY.

I THINK THAT WE ASSUME ALSO HAPPEN STATEWIDE AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CASE.

I THINK THINGS THAT HAPPEN NATIONALLY, THERE ARE THINGS THAT HAPPEN THERE.

I THINK THERE IS A -- A LOT OF BAD STUFF HAPPENS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

I DON'T MEAN BAD.

JUST POLITICAL POLITICS MESS, GUNK, THAT'S THERE THAT I DON'T THINK AFFECTS US AS MUCH.

AM I SAYING THAT IDAHO IS PERFECT?

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

BUT I DON'T EQUATE THE SWAMP IN D.C. TO THE SWAMP IN IDAHO, SOME PEOPLE HAVE DONE.

I THINK WE DO A PRETTY GOOD JOB HERE.

DO WE NEED TO IMPROVE?

SURE.

CAN OUR ELECTIONS BE AUDITED?

ABSOLUTELY.

WE NEED TO DO THAT.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

BUT YOU GOT A REAL POPULAR MOVIE, "2,000 MULES," THAT IS THE TALK OF THE DOWN IN A LOT OF THE CIRCLES THAT I'M LOOKING AT AND THAT'S HARD TO DENY LOOKING AT THAT MOVIE AND SAYING, THERE'S NOT A PROBLEM.

>> THERE'S POPULAR AND THEN THERE'S ACCURATE.

ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT THESE MISREPRESENTATIONS OF WHAT HAPPENED IN 2020 ARE SPREADING SO MUCH?

>> ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, MISINFORMATION.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THIS LAST ELECTION AND I CAN PICK BOTH SIDES WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE THE FAR RIGHT OR THE FAR LEFT OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND SHOW EXAMPLES OF MISINFORMATION ABOUT PARTICULAR CANDIDATES WHICH WAS FRUSTRATING.

YOU KNOW, I SAW ADVERTISEMENTS ABOUT MIKE MILE BEING ATTACKED AS -- [INAUDIBLE] AND I'M THINKING YOU CAN SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT ABOUT MIKE, HE IS HE IS NOT A TAX AND SPEND GUY IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.

AND YOU KNOW, BUT THAT'S THE MESSAGE THAT'S OUT THERE.

AND IT'S FRUSTRATING TO SEE THOSE THINGS, THIS MISINFORMATION ABOUT A LOT OF PEOPLE.

A LOT OF MY FRIENDS HAD THOSE THINGS HAPPEN.

SO YEAH, I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION IS OTHER THAN TRY TO GET THE CORRECT INFORMATION OUT THERE.

THAT'S ABOUT ALL WE CAN DO.

>> ANOTHER HIGH-PROFILE RACE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WHICH HOUSE SPEAKER SCOTT BEDKE UPON OVER -- WON OVER PRISCILLA GIDDINGS.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH SPEAKER BEDKE ON TUESDAY.

>> MY GOAL IS TO SEE THE BETTERMENT OF IDAHO.

MY VISION FOR THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS TO BECOME AN AMBASSADOR FOR THE STATE, TO WORK HAND IN GLOVE OR CERTAINLY COOPERATIVELY WITH THE GOVERNOR.

HE'S NUMBER ONE.

I WOULD BE NUMBER TWO.

I WOULD NEVER EMBARRASS THE STATE.

HAVING SAID THAT, THERE'S ENOUGH WORK FOR EVERYBODY TO DO.

AND I -- YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO PROMOTE OUR STATE OUTCH OUR BOUNDARIES.

-- OUTSIDE OF OUR BOUNDARIES.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT ALWAYS ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WE NEED TO BE MAKING TARGETED INVESTMENTS BACK INTO OUR SCHOOLS, OUR ROADS, OUR WATER SYSTEMS, ET CETERA.

IF WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IDAHO THE GREAT PLACE THAT IT IS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A POSITIVE ACTION IN EACH OF THOSE AREAS.

>> KEVIN, IF BEDKE WINS THE GENERAL ELECTION, THE SENATE THAT HE'LL BE OVERSEEING IS GOING TO BE A LOT MORE CONSERVATIVE.

>> YES.

AND I THINK THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST STORYLINE THAT WE DIDN'T SEE COMING ON ELECTION NIGHT.

IT WAS 20 INCUMBENT LEGISLATORS BY MY ACCOUNT LOST ON TUESDAY AND SOME OF THOSE HAD RACES.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT'S GOING TO SHAKE OUT IN THE HOUSE.

HARD LINE CONSERVATIVES LOST IN THE HOUSE.

SOME MODERATES IN THE HOUSE LOST.

DEFINITELY THE SENATE IS GOING TO BE MORE CONSERVATIVE.

HOW MUCH MORE?

WE'LL WAIT AND SEE.

WE HAVE TO SEE HOW A COUPLE OF THESE GENERAL ELECTIONS AND SWING -- IN SWING CRICKETS PLAY OUT -- DISTRICTS PLAY OUT.

BUT MAYBE MORE IN LINE ON A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE HOUSE.

WE MAY SEE SOME MORE HOT BUTTON ISSUES.

BUDGES ARE GOING TO BE A LOT MORE -- BUDGETS ARE GOING TO BE A LOT MORE INTERESTING.

IT'S NOT A HIGHER ED BUDGET CAN GET THROUGH THE SENATE AS WELL.

>> WERE THERE ANY BIG SURPRISES FOR YOU WHEN IT CAME TO THOSE LEGISLATIVE RACES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I THINK RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE LIST WAS SENATOR EIGHTENBROAD, THE CO-CHAIR, WHO LOST TO A NEWCOMER WHOSE CAMPAIGN BASICALLY CONSISTED OF AS WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, SOME DISINFORMATION, SENDING OUT SOME CLAIMS ABOUT THE INCUMBENT.

AND I DIDN'T THINK FOR A MINUTE THAT AN INCUMBENT WHO'S WELL ESTABLISHED, WHO'S EYE UP IN THE HIRE -- HIGH UP IN THE HIERARCHY, AND IS VERY WELL CONNECTED IN THE COMMUNITY, COULD BE TAKEN DOWN AND HE WAS.

AND SO YES, THERE WERE SOME SURPRISE DEFEATS OF INCUMBENTS.

PARTICULARLY OF SENATE COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN.

THERE WERE SOME LESS OF A SURPRISE.

SENATOR FRED MARTIN, HE WAS WON LEE ELECTIONS NARROWLY, AND HE WAS TAKEN OUT BY CODY GALLOWAY WHO WAS A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE SAME DISTRICT.

AND IN THAT CASE, THERE'S STILL THE GENERAL TO COME.

THAT'S A DISTRICT THAT HAS GONE BOTH WAYS, DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN.

>> ONE OF THE FEW PURPLE DISTRICTS LEFT IN IDAHO AND HE'S ONE OF THE FEW LAWMAKERS WHO HAS HAD VERY COMPETITIVE PRIMARIES AND VERY COMPETITIVE GENERAL ELECTIONS, USUALLY ONE OR THE OTHER.

WERE THERE ANY SURPRISES FOR YOU ON TUESDAY NIGHT?

>> YEAH.

ABSOLUTELY.

OF COURSE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THE BIGGEST SURPRISE IS PROBABLY IN THE SENATE.

BUT I -- I WASN'T WATCHING THOSE VERY CAREFULLY.

THAT'S NOT MY CUP OF TEA.

SO I LOOKED AT THE HOUSE AND WHAT WERE THE SURPRISES THERE, YEAH.

I THINK ADDIS, UP NORTH, WAS A SURPRISE.

DIDN'T SEE THAT ONE COMING.

AND YOU KNOW, PAUL AMA TORE, BOTH OF THOSE LOST THE RACES THERE.

AGAIN, GOOD FRIENDS.

I THINK EVERYBODY IN THE HOUSE WOULD PROBABLY SAY THAT ABOUT ANYBODY IN THE HOUSE.

THEY'RE ALL FRIENDS.

I DIDN'T SEE THAT ONE COMING AT ALL.

I WAS SURPRISED SOME OF THE RACES WEREN'T CLOSER.

I THOUGHT SOME OF THEM WERE GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT CLOSER BECAUSE OF A LOT OF THE CAMPAIGNING AND ADVERTISEMENT GOING ALONG WITH THAT.

BUT I THINK A LOT OF TIMES IT JUST COMES DOWN TO WHO KNOCKED MORE DOORS AND WHO CONNECTED WITH HE PEOPLE MORE ON THAT AND THAT'S WHAT ULTIMATELY WILL WIN A CANDIDATE FOR YOU.

>> AND OF COURSE, THE MAKEUP OF THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO AFFECT WHICH LAWS MAKE IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK FOR SIGNING OR VETO.

"IDAHO REPORTS" CAUGHT UP WITH GOVERNOR LITTLE AND ASKED ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE MOVING FOLDER.

>> IT ALWAYS IS.

BUT THAT'S -- THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF OUR SYSTEM.

WE DO REAPPORTIONMENT YEAR.

WE GENERALLY HAVE A 35 TO 45% TURNOVER.

LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT.

I'M NOT GOING TO KNOW WHO LEADERSHIP IS OR COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN UNTIL DECEMBER.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE WON'T WORK WITH THE LEGISLATORS, THE ONES THAT WE KNOW ARE GOING TO BE THERE AND OTHER ONES GOING FORWARD, SO WE'RE ALL ALL READY TO GO IN JANUARY.

>> A LOT OF THE LEADERSHIP RACE OSGOING TO DEPEND ON THE CLOSE GENERAL ELECTION.

THE FEW DA -- DO THAT -- THAT DO HAPPEN IN LEADER.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT LEADERSHIP RACES.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?

>> I THINK YOU'LL HAVE ROW BUST RACES IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE -- ROW BUS -- ROBUST RACES IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

IT ALWAYS HAPPENS.

THIS WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT FOR ANYBODY WHO IS RUNNING BECAUSE YOU HAVE SUCH AN UNKNOWN POOL OF INDIVIDUALS THERE.

YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT CONNECT WITH THEM.

JUST TRYING TO GET PHONE NUMBERS SOMETIMES IS THE HARDEST PART.

BUT IT WILL BE REALLY ROBUST.

ANYBODY WHO'S RUNNING BETTER BE TRAVELING AROUND THE STATE CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE AND SEEING IF THAT'S WHERE YOU CAN FIND A PLACE IN LEADERSHIP OR NOT.

>> ARE YOU DOING MUCH TRAVELING AROUND THE STATE THESE DAYS?

>> I WILL BE.

>> YOU WILL BE!

[LAUGHTER] >> YES, I WILL BE.

>> WHAT ARE YOU RUNNING FOR?

>> I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A CAVEAT FIRST.

AND THEN I'LL TELL YOU.

I'M GOING TO TALK WITH MY CAUCUS MEMBERS, FIND OUT IF THERE IS A PLACE FOR ME IN LEADERSHIP.

I'M INTENDING TO RUN FOR SPEAKER.

BUT AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO BE UP TO THEM.

THEY GET TO DECIDE HOW IT WORKS AND THAT'S ONE OF THE TENETS THAT I'LL BE PUSHING OUT THERE IS THAT YOU JUST REPRESENT THE CAUCUS.

YOU DON'T CONTROL WHICH WAY NEG.

YOU -- THEY GO.

YOU JUST REPRESENT THEM AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHICH DIRECTION THE CAUCUS WANTS TO GO AND THAT'S THE FIRST THING WE GOT TO FIGURE OUT.

THEN IT WILL BE INTERESTING.

BUT THE SENATE IS GOING TO HAVE BIG RACES THERE AS WELL.

I THINK IN MANY ASPECTS, MORE COMPETITIVE OR AT LEAST MORE CHALLENGING THERE THAN IT IS IN THE HOUSE.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT MAJORITY LEADER WINDOR IN THE SENATE IS IN TROUBLE?

>> I THINK HE'S GONNA HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT RACE.

>> WHAT ARE YOU -- >> SENATE LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS ARE SO HARD TO HANDICAP RIGHT NOW UNTIL WE GET PAST THE GENERAL ELECTION.

BUT THEY'RE ON THE KNIFE EDGE BETWEEN WHETHER YOU WANT TO CALL IT ORDINARY REPUBLICANS OR HARD-LINE -- MODERATE REPUBLICANS OR HARD-LINE REPUBLICANS OR ESTABLISHED REPUBLICANS -- ANY WAY YOU SLICE IT, THAT'S A BATCH OF CLOSE RACES THAT LEADS TO A BATCH OF ASSIGNMENTS, SEVEN OF THE 10 SENATE CHAIR POSITIONS ARE OPEN RIGHT NOW.

YOU GOT FOUR POSITIONS THAT ARE OPEN ON J FACT.

FOR SENATE REPUBLICANS, IF YOU HAVE THE SAME MAKEUP.

YOU HAVE FOUR OPENINGS IN SENATE EDUCATION.

WHAT FEW INCUMBENT SENATORS ARE STILL THERE ARE PROBABLY LOOKING AT THIS LIKE THEY JUST WALLED INTO GOLDEN CORRAL.

WHERE DO I WANT TO EAT.

WHAT ENTREE APPEALS TO ME TODAY.

IT'S WIDE OPEN.

>> ONE THING THAT IS NOT WIDE OPEN NECESSARILY, ALTHOUGH WE'LL SEE HOW IT COMES OUT, AND THE ENTIRE EXISTING SENATE LEADERSHIP TEAM, THEY WILL ALL SURVIVE THE PRIMARY.

THEY'RE ALL STILL THERE.

WHEN I SPOKE TO WINDOR, HE SAID OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM CAME THROUGH.

THEY'LL HAVE NEW PEOPLE VOTING, SO THAT WILL BE THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER THEY GO FORWARD INTO THE NEXT SESSION.

BUT I THINK IT'S MORE WIDE OPEN IN THE HOUSE, WHERE THERE'S AN OPEN SPEAKER SEAT AND CERTAINLY MULTIPLE CANDIDATES WHO VERY MUCH WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THAT, INCLUDING AS WE HEARD HERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY!

YEAH, WHEN THE TOP MOVES OFF, EVERYBODY WANTS TO KIND OF MOVE UP.

[LAUGHTER] >> YOU KNOW WHAT'S INTERESTING IS JUST -- LACK OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE THERE.

YOU LOOK -- >> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT RIGHT THERE.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

AND WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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