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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Mitt Romney swung by Idaho to campaign for Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, but first he attracted a herd of supporters as the three Republicans ordered hamburgers.
The former Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential nominee joined Otter and Risch on Wednesday at a Five Guys Burgers and Fries in Boise to give his endorsement to Otter and Risch. Prior to that, Romney was one of guest speakers at Idaho's inaugural Governor's Trade and Business Conference.
Two years ago, Romney won more 60 percent of the vote in Idaho during the 2012 presidential race.
"You're seeing it across the country by the way, Republican governors whose states are growing faster than states are taking a different course," Romney said. "In this state, you see a governor over the past several years who has balanced the budget and made the state more and more attractive for small business."
Romney has spent the past few weeks traveling across the country to endorse Republican governors and U.S. Senate candidates with the hope that Republicans get control in the U.S. Senate and keep control of red states after the Nov. 4 midterm election.
Risch is campaigning to secure a second term against political newcomer Democratic opponent Nels Mitchell. Risch has significantly outraised Mitchell and is expected to win.
Otter is seeking a third-term against Democratic opponent and Boise businessman A.J. Balukoff, who has repeated several times that he voted for Romney in 2012. Political analysts and recent polling show that Idaho's gubernatorial race could be tight, albeit Otter is leading in the red-dominated state.
On Wednesday, both Otter and Romney said Idaho has been named one of the top states for small businesses and has more job growth compared to other states.
Otter's campaign has focused heavily on successfully leading Idaho out of the Great Recession.
However, economists have countered that Idaho is still ranking fairly poor on personal income, according to a recent U.S. Census survey.
According to the census bureau, Idaho's median individual income is the lowest in the nation at $27,932 per year. Women's median income is even lower, at $21,908 per year.
"Guess what happens when businesses hire more people? Wages go up," Romney said. "What's happening under Butch Otter should happen in every state."
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