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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's general election isn't known for its competitive legislative races due to Republican dominance of state politics, but a handful of races for seats are heating up as Nov. 4 approaches.
More than 90 of the state's 105 legislative seats have incumbents trying to retain their spots. A third of the incumbents, who are overwhelmingly Republican, face no opponent in the general election after surviving the May primary election.
However, both Republicans and Democrats have placed aggressive candidates in districts viewed as vulnerable.
For example, all but one Democrat who holds a leadership position in the Legislature is being challenged by a Republican. On the flip side, only House Majority Leader Mike Moyle of Star faces an opponent out of the Republican leadership team in both houses.
Here is a look at some of the more interesting races:
District 5
In northern Idaho, GOP Rep. Cindy Agidius is running against Democratic candidate Paulette Jordan for a second time after narrowly winning against her by 120 votes in 2012.
While Agidius has the GOP incumbent advantage, Paulette has been named by the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee as a candidate to watch. Jordan has outraised her opponent in campaign funding by nearly $15,000, spending most of it on advertisements throughout the district.
District 6
Republican candidate Mike Kingsley is trying to oust Democrat Minority Leader John Rusche of Lewiston, but Kingsley reported spending $2,500 to book a visit and endorsement from Sam Wurzelbacher, known as "Joe the Plumber" during the 2008 presidential campaign.
While Rusche has held the seat since 2004 and is expected to return to the 2015 Legislature, an upset isn't out of the question. He's only faced two opponents during his tenure and has won by less than five percent each time.
District 10
For the first time in 34 years, a Democratic candidate may have a chance of winning a representative seat in a GOP-led district covering most of Canyon County. Democratic candidate Leif Skyving is running against Republican candidate Greg Chaney after incumbent Rep. Darrell Bolz announced he wouldn't run for an eighth term.
Chaney comes with a criminal history that includes pleading guilty to malicious injury to property and disturbing the peace after he "pushed and shoved" his then-wife throughout their house in 2009, according to court documents. His past wasn't revealed until after he received Bolz's endorsement. Bolz later said Chaney could be a liability to the Idaho Republican Party.
District 26
Democratic candidate Dick Fosbury of Ketchum, well-known as the 1960s Olympian who revolutionized the high-jump, is running against two-term incumbent Republican Rep. Steve Miller from Fairfield.
The race over the central Idaho seat is one that pits the rural interests of the farmers and ranchers who outline the cities of Ketchum and Hailey. In the past, the district has swung in both political directions.
District 32
It's difficult to find a race a Democrat could win in eastern Idaho, which is known for its conservative districts. However, for the first time in 40 years, a Democratic headquarters opened in Soda Springs brought on by the energy behind Ashlee Stalcup's campaign.
Stalcup is running against veteran Rep. Tom Loertscher, who was first elected in 1990. He has defeated his Democratic opponents each time by gaining more than 60 percent of the vote.
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