By Melissa Davlin, Idaho Reports
It was a huge night for conservative Republicans in Magic Valley, with multiple incumbents losing to challengers who attacked their voting records on social issues and spending.
Sen. Linda Wright Hartgen and Reps. Greg Lanting and Chenele Dixon lost their Republican primaries on Tuesday. Incumbent Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, one of the most conservative members of the Idaho Senate, won against challenger Alex Caval, who had the financial support of powerful special interest groups and former lawmakers from the Twin Falls area.
Hartgen, Dixon, Caval, and Lanting ran as “commonsense conservatives,” emphasizing infrastructure, agriculture, and education. Their opponents criticized them as not conservative enough, with the Magic Valley Liberty Alliance calling Hartgen the area’s biggest RINO – Republican In Name Only. (Lanting came in second in the reader poll.)
Ultimately, four Magic Valley Liberty Alliance-aligned legislative candidates won on Tuesday. Rep. Steve Miller came out ahead in District 24.
In District 24, which includes Gooding, Camas, and rural Twin Falls counties, Zuiderveld won with 56 percent of the vote. She faces Democrat Edward Easterling in the general election. Political newcomer Clint Hostetler beat Dixon with nearly 59 percent of the vote, and Miller beat challenger Jeff Faulkner with 56 percent. Both Hostetler and Miller are unopposed in the general election.
In Twin Falls County’s District 25, Josh Kohl beat Hartgen with 63 percent of the vote. He is unopposed in the general election. David Leavitt beat Lanting with 58 percent and is also unopposed this November. Rep. Lance Clow was unopposed in the primary and faces Democrat Lane Startin in the general.
District 26 includes Jerome, Lincoln, and Blaine counties. As of 1 am, Rep. Jack Nelsen maintained a small lead over challenger Lyle Johnstone at 52 percent. The winner will face Democrat Chris Hansen in the general election this fall. Mike Pohanka had a comfortable lead at 60 percent over Kally Schiffler. The winner faces incumbent Democratic Rep. Ned Burns in November. Former Sen. Laurie Lickley ran unopposed in the Republican primary and faces Democratic incumbent Sen. Ron Taylor in November.