Idaho House Races

This continues my list of rating all of the country's 435 House races as each state's filing deadline passes. Check out the "Other House Races" link near the top of the list for other big states like CA, IL, IN, PA, NC, OH, and TX.

With only two congressional districts and Republicans usually in control of redisricting, the state's district lines only moved very slightly in 2002; both districts are very heavily Republican. When the 1st was open in 2006, Democrats were quite competitive, but it probably won't be as competitive this time.

ID-01 (Rep. Bill Sali, R) 2004 Vote: Bush 68%-30%. This seat was open in 2006 when incumbent Rep. Butch Otter ran for Governor, and the GOP was expected to hold it easily. But the winner of the Republican Primary, Bill Sali, was considered an especially conservative and divisive candiate, and he defeated Democratic attorney Larry Grant by only 50%-45%. But Sali has largely avoided controversy during his year in Congress, and should have a much easier time in 2008. But first he has to get by a primary challenge from businessman and Iraq War Veteran Matt Salisbury; for the Democrats, Grant is running again, as is businessman Walt Minnick. STRONG ADVANTAGE FOR SALI.

ID-02 (Rep, Mike Simpson, R) 2004 Vote: Bush 68%-30%. Simpson was considered an obvious candidate for the open Senate seat this year, but he expressed no interest in running. Instead, he will seek a sixth term, where he should be a heavy favorite over either potential Democratic candidate: realtor Debbie Holmes and 2002 Senate candidate David Sneddon. OVERWHELMING ADVANTAGE FOR SIMPSON.