Primary night live blog (final)

8:11 a.m.: Good morning.

After a few hours of break, we have the final numbers. I have updated my roundup of state races, and Devin Bodkin has an updated his story on the state superintendent’s race.

And we can now move from the legislative Upset Alert to a long, startling list of legislative updates.

Twenty — yes, 20 — incumbent lawmakers lost Tuesday night, or appear headed to a loss:

  • Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, a member of the Senate Education Committee and the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
  • Jim Addis, R-Coeur d’Alene.
  • Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene, a JFAC member.
  • Peter Riggs, R-Post Falls, a JFAC member.
  • Robert Blair, R-Kendrick. The Senate Education member lost to former Sen. Dan Foreman.
  • Carl Crabtree, R-Grangeville, a member of Senate Education and JFAC.
  • Terry Gestrin, R-Donnelly, running for a Senate seat.
  • Jim Rice, R-Caldwell; he was in a four-person primary won by Sen. Abby Lee, R-Fruitland.
  • Ryan Kerby, R-New Plymouth, vice chairman of the House Education Committee.
  • Scott Syme, R-Wilder, a JFAC member, now trailing Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, a House Education member. The margin: six votes.
  • Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell, running for a Senate seat.
  • Jeff Agenbroad, R-Nampa, co-chair of JFAC.
  • Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, chairman of Senate Education, who lost to Sen. C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, a JFAC member.
  • Gayann DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, a House Education member.
  • Fred Martin, R-Boise, who lost to Rep. Codi Galloway, R-Boise, in a hotly contested primary.
  • Greg Ferch, R-Boise, who lost a head-to-head primary with Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Meridian.
  • Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls.
  • Karey Hanks, R-St. Anthony, who lost to former Rep. Jerald Raymond, R-Menan.
  • Ron Nate, R-Rexburg, a JFAC member, who lost to former Rep. Britt Raybould by a narrow 36 votes.
  • Chad Christenen, R-Ammon.

What does that mean for committees? A lot.

Senate Education lost four Republican members.

House Education lost two members, including its vice chairman, Kerby. And actually a third member, since Galloway was on that committee.

JFAC is looking at monumental turnover. Seven JFAC Republicans lost Tuesday night, including the Senate’s co-chair, Agenbroad, and the Senate’s vice chair, Crabtree. On top of that, four JFAC members had already retired or stepped aside to seek higher office: House co-chair Rick Youngblood, R-Genesee; House vice chair Caroline Nilsson Troy, R-Genesee; Rep. Priscilla Giddings, R-White Bird; and Sen. Mark Nye, D-Pocatello.

In other words, at least 11 of JFAC’s 20 members will be newbies. That’s stunning. And a followup story for later this week.

2:54 a.m.: What a wild, eye-popping night of legislative elections.

As we sign off the live blog, here’s our final legislative Upset Alert.

Here are the 20 — yes, 20 — incumbent lawmakers who are trailing at this hour, or have lost:

  • NEW: Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg. According to Madison County election numbers, Nate trailed former Rep. Britt Raybould by a narrow 36 votes.
  • NEW: Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene, trailing by just votes to Elaine Price, a Coeur d’Alene Republican.
  • NEW: Rep. Terry Gestrin, R-Donnelly, running for a Senate seat.
  • Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, a member of the Senate Education Committee and the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
  • Jim Addis, R-Coeur d’Alene.
  • Peter Riggs, R-Post Falls.
  • Robert Blair, R-Kendrick. The Senate Education member is trailing former Sen. Dan Foreman.
  • Carl Crabtree, R-Grangeville, a member of Senate Education and JFAC.
  • Jim Rice, R-Caldwell; he is in a four-person primary that also includes Sen. Abby Lee, R-Fruitland.
  • Ryan Kerby, R-New Plymouth, vice chairman of the House Education Committee.
  • Scott Syme, R-Wilder, now trailing Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, a House Education member. The margin: six votes.
  • Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell, running for a Senate seat.
  • Jeff Agenbroad, R-Nampa, co-chair of JFAC.
  • Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, chairman of Senate Education, facing Sen. C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, in a contested primary.
  • Gayann DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, a House Education member.
  • Fred Martin, R-Boise, who is facing Rep. Codi Galloway, R-Boise, in a hotly contested and see-saw primary.
  • Greg Ferch, R-Boise, who is in a contested primary with Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Meridian.
  • Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls.
  • Karey Hanks, R-St. Anthony, who is facing former Rep. Jerald Raymond, R-Menan.
  • Chad Christenen, R-Ammon.

2:19 a.m.: As the state superintendent’s and secretary of state’s races narrow, what’s left to count?

It’s changing in real time, although we might shut down this live blog shortly. Owyhee County just fully reported minutes ago. In the superintendent’s race, Debbie Critchfield carried the county fairly handily, padding her lead. In the secretary of state’s race, state Rep. Dorothy Moon narrowly won the county, trimming 40 votes off of Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane’s dwindling lead.

Here’s the current rundown of missing results, from the secretary of state’s office:

Four counties haven’t reported at all: Benewah, Gem, Madison and Teton.

Nine counties have partially reported, but it isn’t clear exactly how much is still outstanding:

  • Bingham: Unclear. Its 28 precincts are listed as fully reported.
  • Blaine: Also unclear. Its 15 precincts are listed as fully reported.
  • Bonner: 23 of 30 precincts in.
  • Bonneville: Listed as incomplete, but it’s unclear what’s not counted.
  • Canyon: Listed as incomplete, but it’s unclear what’s not counted.
  • Cassia: Also unclear. Its 24 precincts are listed as fully reported.
  • Clearwater: 12 of 14 precincts in.
  • Kootenai: 59 of 73 precincts in.
  • Twin Falls: 39 of 44 precincts in.

So, we know we have four no-show counties. And an undetermined number of uncounted precincts, at least 28 of them.

1:34 a.m.: An updated legislative Upset Alert, with two new names from North Idaho.

Here are the 17 incumbent lawmakers who are trailing at this hour:

  • NEW: Sen. Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, a member of the Senate Education Committee and the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
  • NEW: Rep. Jim Addis, R-Coeur d’Alene.
  • Carl Crabtree, R-Grangeville, a member of Senate Education and JFAC.
  • Robert Blair, R-Kendrick. The Senate Education member is trailing former Sen. Dan Foreman.
  • Ryan Kerby, R-New Plymouth, vice chairman of the House Education Committee.
  • Scott Syme, R-Wilder, now trailing Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, a House Education member. The margin: six votes.
  • Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell, who is running for a Senate seat.
  • Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls.
  • Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, chairman of Senate Education, facing Sen. C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, in a contested primary.
  • Jeff Agenbroad, R-Nampa, co-chair of JFAC.
  • Jim Rice, R-Caldwell; he is in a four-person primary that also includes Sen. Abby Lee, R-Fruitland.
  • Chad Christenen, R-Ammon.
  • Gayann DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, a House Education member.
  • Fred Martin, R-Boise, who is facing Rep. Codi Galloway, R-Boise, in a hotly contested and see-saw primary.
  • Karey Hanks, R-St. Anthony, who is facing former Rep. Jerald Raymond, R-Menan.
  • Greg Ferch, R-Boise, who is in a contested primary with Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Meridian.
  • Peter Riggs, R-Post Falls.

1:06 a.m.: A really good point from the “Idaho Reports” election night live blog.

Sen. Jeff Agenbroad, the Senate co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, is losing his primary. So is the Senate’s vice chair Sen. Carl Crabtree. The House chair, Rep. Rick Youngblood, is retiring, as is House vice chair Caroline Nilsson Troy.

That could add up to four openings in JFAC leadership — and a lot of jockeying for those coveted positions.

12:30 a.m.: Had to jump in and quickly update our legislative Upset Alert, with several new names

Here are the 15 incumbent lawmakers who are trailing at this hour:

  • NEW: Sen. Carl Crabtree, R-Grangeville, a member of the Senate Education Committee and the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
  • NEW: Sen. Robert Blair, R-Kendrick. The Senate Education member is trailing former Sen. Dan Foreman.
  • NEW: Rep. Ryan Kerby, R-New Plymouth, vice chairman of the House Education Committee.
  • NEW: Rep. Scott Syme, R-Wilder, now trailing Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, a House Education member.
  • NEW: Rep. Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell, who is running for a Senate seat.
  • NEW: Sen. Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls.
  • Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, chairman of Senate Education, facing Sen. C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, in a contested primary.
  • Jeff Agenbroad, R-Nampa, co-chair of JFAC.
  • Jim Rice, R-Caldwell; he is in a four-person primary that also includes Sen. Abby Lee, R-Fruitland.
  • Chad Christenen, R-Ammon.
  • Gayann DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, a House Education member.
  • Fred Martin, R-Boise, who is facing Rep. Codi Galloway, R-Boise, in a hotly contested and see-saw primary.
  • Karey Hanks, R-St. Anthony, who is facing former Rep. Jerald Raymond, R-Menan.
  • Greg Ferch, R-Boise, who is in a contested primary with Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Meridian.
  • Peter Riggs, R-Post Falls.

12:06 a.m.: Time to update our legislative Upset Alert.

One flip in the past hour: In the District 9 Senate race, Sen. Abby Lee has surged ahead, landing Sen. Jim Rice squarely on the Upset Alert list.

Here are the 10 incumbent lawmakers who are trailing at this hour:

  • Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, facing Sen. C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, in a contested primary.
  • Jeff Agenbroad, R-Nampa, co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
  • Jim Rice, R-Caldwell; he is in a four-person primary that also includes Sen. Abby Lee, R-Fruitland.
  • Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, a House Education Committee member in a close, contested primary with Rep. Scott Syme, R-Wilder.
  • Chad Christenen, R-Ammon.
  • Gayann DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, a House Education member.
  • Fred Martin, R-Boise, who is facing Rep. Codi Galloway, R-Boise, in a hotly contested and see-saw primary.
  • Karey Hanks, R-St. Anthony, who is facing former Rep. Jerald Raymond, R-Menan.
  • Greg Ferch, R-Boise, who is in a contested primary with Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Meridian.
  • Peter Riggs, R-Post Falls.

11:45 p.m.: A few important counties missing in action so far in our election results.

Some examples:

  • Nothing yet from Madison County, so no news on that legislative rematch between Rep. Ron Nate and former Rep. Britt Raybould.
  • Nothing yet from Boundary County, and that could affect a very expensive Senate race between incumbent Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, and Bonner County GOP leader Scott Herndon. Woodward is leading, based on partial results from Bonner County.
  • And nothing yet from Gem County, which could affect the Senate race between Education Committee Chairman Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, and Sen. C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle.

11:06 p.m.: Time to update our legislative Upset Alert.

In the past hour, that wild District 15 Senate race has flipped once again, while Rep. Jim Addis, R-Coeur d’Alene, has taken a lead and is no longer on the Upset Alert list.

Here are the 10 incumbent lawmakers who are trailing at this hour:

  • Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, facing Sen. C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, in a contested primary.
  • Jeff Agenbroad, R-Nampa, co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
  • Abby Lee, R-Fruitland; she is in a four-person primary that also includes Sen. Jim Rice, R-Caldwell.
  • Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, a House Education Committee member in a contested primary with Rep. Scott Syme, R-Wilder.
  • Chad Christenen, R-Ammon.
  • Gayann DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, a House Education member.
  • Fred Martin, R-Boise, who is facing Rep. Codi Galloway, R-Boise, in a hotly contested and see-saw primary.
  • Karey Hanks, R-St. Anthony, who is facing former Rep. Jerald Raymond, R-Menan.
  • Greg Ferch, R-Boise, who is in a contested primary with Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Meridian.
  • Peter Riggs, R-Post Falls.

10:40 p.m.: As our ace data gatherer Randy Schrader pointed out, Janice McGeachin, Priscilla Giddings and Branden Durst are leading early in Kootenai County.

The big question is whether Kootenai County will be a decider.

Simply put, McGeachin and Giddings have a lot of votes to make up. Gov. Brad Little has nearly a 34,000-vote edge over McGeachin. In the lieutenant governor’s race, Scott Bedke leads Giddings by close to 23,000 votes.

The superintendent’s race is interesting. Debbie Critchfield leads incumbent Sherri Ybarra by more than 12,000 votes and leads Branden Durst by more than 15,000. But I’d argue that Kootenai County might do Durst more good than it does Ybarra. Kootenai County definitely bailed out Ybarra in the 2018 general election, but she has never done that well up north in her previous primaries. Durst may be a better ideological fit with conservative Kootenai County voters, so we’ll just have to watch.

And this brings us to what appears to be the race of the night. Incumbent Attorney General Lawrence Wasden leads former U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador by about 3,100 votes. But Kootenai County is good country for Labrador; it’s one of the six counties Labrador carried in his 2018 gubernatorial race. He could make up some ground in the Panhandle, depending on how much anti-Wasden vote goes to Coeur d’Alene attorney Art Macomber.

Long post short: The a.g.’s race is the one that could keep us up late tonight.

10:08 p.m.: Lots of legislative primaries to watch, so let’s do a periodic Upset Alert.

Here are the incumbent lawmakers who are trailing at this hour:

  • Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, facing Sen. C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, in a contested primary.
  • Jeff Agenbroad, R-Nampa, co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
  • Abby Lee, R-Fruitland; she is in a four-person primary that also includes Sen. Jim Rice, R-Caldwell.
  • Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, a House Education Committee member in a contested primary with Rep. Scott Syme, R-Wilder.
  • Chad Christenen, R-Ammon.
  • Gayann DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, a House Education member.
  • Codi Galloway, R-Boise, who is challenging Sen. Fred Martin, R-Boise, in a hotly contested primary.
  • Karey Hanks, R-St. Anthony, who is facing former Rep. Jerald Raymond, R-Menan.
  • Greg Ferch, R-Boise, who is in a contested primary with Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Meridian.
  • Peter Riggs, R-Post Falls.
  • Jim Addis, R-Coeur d’Alene.

9:32 p.m.: Based on early numbers in Ada County, District 15 Rep. Codi Galloway has an early lead over incumbent Sen. Fred Martin. Galloway, R-Boise, has 53 percent of the vote in the three-person race.

This West Boise Senate race will be one of the most interesting GOP legislative primaries of the night.

9:20 p.m.: The very first numbers of the night came in from Bonneville County.

Among the very early leaders: Gov. Brad Little; state superintendent’s challenger Debbie Critchfield; House Speaker (and lieutenant governor’s candidate) Scott Bedke; and incumbent Attorney General Lawrence Wasden.

Down the ballot, former state Rep. Jeff Thompson took an early lead over Rep. Barbara Ehardt, and challenger Josh Wheeler took an early edge over Rep. Chad Christensen. But, again, it’s early in a long night.

8:53 p.m.: If you’re waiting for results in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, you’ll probably be waiting until next week.

The secretary of state’s office won’t release write-in results in that race tonight, Clark Corbin of the Idaho Capital Sun reported Tuesday.

Counties don’t have to certify and report their election results until May 24, so that’s when we could get write-in results, Corbin reported. The state then canvasses results on June 1.

The write-ins matter in this race because Democrats have only one gubernatorial candidate on the ballot: Marsing teacher Stephen Heidt. Sandpoint mayor Shelby Rognstad launched a write-in bid after failing to qualify for the ballot because he had not changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat. Also running as a write-in is David Reilly — a hardline conservative. Reilly ran a failed campaign for Post Falls school board last fall, with Kootenai County Republican backing; his campaign and history of anti-Semitic tweets drew national attention.

8:15 p.m.: Welcome to tonight’s election live blog. I will be updating this file beginning at 9 p.m. or so, as election results start coming in.

If you have questions, hit me up at Twitter @KevinRichert.

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. He can be reached at [email protected]

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