The University of Idaho Argonaut

Idahoans bucked a generally Democratic national trend Tuesday, electing Republicans to all state offices, though Idaho Democrats demonstrated a strong showing. C.L. "Butch" Otter beat out Democratic challenger Jerry Brady 53 to 44 percent for the office of governor, while Bill Sali pushed ahead of Democrat Larry Grant 50 to 45 percent in the 1st District U.S. House race. The only state office held by a Democrat, superintendent of public instruction, narrowly went to Republican Tom Luna, who fended off Democrat Jana Jones 51 to 49 percent.

Democrats found more success in Latah County, with State Rep. Shirley Ringo, a Democrat, overwhelming Republican challenger Roger Falen 62 to 38 percent. Two county incumbents barely kept their jobs: District 3 Commissioner Jack Nelson (R) fought off Democratic challenger Linda Pike 49 to 47 percent, and Assessor Patrick Vaughan (D) defeated Republican Connie Jain Ferguson by only 109 votes, 48 to 47 percent.

Perhaps the most notable statistic of the day was voter turnout, which hit 53 percent across the county. Turnout for midterm elections is traditionally much lower than for presidential elections.

Full results are listed below. For more about Election Day, read Friday's issue of The Argonaut.


Results:

952 of 955 Idaho precincts reporting
35 of 35 Latah County precincts reporting
Victories in italics

U.S. House of Representatives 1st District:

Larry Grant (D)
    102,511, 45 percent

Andy Hedden-Nicely (UNI)
    2,859, 1 percent

Dave Olson (IND)
    6,769, 3 percent

Bill Sali (R)
   114,571, 50 percent

Paul Smith (CON)
   2,431, 1 percent

Governor:

Jerry Brady (D)
    196,717, 44 percent

Ted Dunlap (LIB)
    7,178, 2 percent

C.L. "Butch" Otter (R)
    235,340, 53 percent

Marvin Richardson (CON)
    7,225, 2 percent

Lieutenant Governor:

Larry LaRocco (D)
    173,547, 39 percent

Jim Risch (R)
    257,317, 58 percent

William Charles Wellisch (CON)
    10,371, 2 percent

Secretary of State:

Ben Ysursa (R)
   361,542, 100 percent

State Controller:

Donna M. Jones (R)
    251,646, 59 percent

Jackie Groves Twilegar (D)
    177,874, 41 percent

State Treasurer:

Ron G. Crane (R)
    274,413, 64 percent

Howard C. Faux (D)
    151,217, 36 percent

Attorney General:

Robert A "Bob" Wallace (D)
    163,928, 38 percent

Lawrence G. Wasden (R)
    265,582, 62 percent

Jana L. Jones (D)

    213,841, 49 percent

   224,987, 51 percent

State Senator Position 6:

Gary J. Schroeder (R)
    9,136, 74 percent

State Representative Position 6A:

Tom Trail (R)
    9,256, 75 percent

State Representative Position 6B:

L.Roger Falen (R)
    4,575, 38 percent

Shirley G. Ringo (D)
    7,327, 62 percent

Latah County Commissioner District 1:

Donald Ball (R)
    5,252, 43 percent

Jennifer Barrett (D)
    6,419, 52 percent

Latah County Commissioner District 3:

Jack Nelson (R)
    5,971, 49 percent

Linda S. Pike (D)
    5,791, 47 percent

Clerk of the District Court: