Open Seats In Idaho, Iowa; Cook Plots Challenge In Utah.

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Author: Wegner, Mark

Politics

A pair of GOP gubernatorial bids in Idaho and Iowa and a GOP primary in Utah have added fresh interest to developing races in these three states, where candidate filing deadlines close this afternoon. President Bush nominated Idaho GOP Gov. Dirk Kempthorne this week to replace Interior Secretary Norton, who is resigning at the end of the month. But Lt. Gov. Jim Risch decided today not to make the four-way GOP primary any more crowded by announcing he would seek re-election as lieutenant governor. GOP Rep. C.L. (Butch) Otter is one of those four gubernatorial candidates, along with businessman Dan Adamson, and a spokesman today said Otter's plans have not changed. "He's running for governor, no matter what," the spokesman said.

Otter's solidly Republican 1st District, which stretches along the state's western border, has drawn six filed GOP candidates. They are state Controller Keith Johnson, former state Sen. Sheila Sorensen, Idaho Water Users Association Executive Director Norm Semanko, state Rep. Bill Sali, Canyon County Commissioner Robert Vasquez and state Sen. Skipper Brandt. Sali had $134,000 in the bank as of Dec. 31, more than any other GOP rival. A battle among conservatives could provide an opening for Sorenson, who is positioned as the more moderate candidate. Democrats seeking the seat are former Micron Technology executive Larry Grant and businessman Cecil Kelly.

In Iowa, GOP Rep. Jim Nussle's bid for governor has set up a three-way Republican primary for his 1st District seat. That race features state Rep. Bill Dix, restaurateur Mike Whalen and former Iowa Republican Chairman Brian Kennedy, an attorney. Nussle said the district, which voted for Democratic presidential nominees in 2000 and 2004, "needs attention." Nussle said Democrats have targeted his district as competitive, but added, "They can say that, but the reality is we've elected Republicans." The Democratic primary includes Davenport attorney Bruce Braley, Dubuque economic development official Rick Dickinson, 2004 nominee real estate agent Bill Gluba, and perennial candidate Denny Heath. In the swing 3rd District, five-term Democratic Rep. Leonard Boswell faces GOP opposition from state Senate co-president Jeff Lamberti, who represents a Polk County district, which includes growth areas on the north side of Des Moines. Nussle said Lamberti had "demonstrated some political skills" in the state Senate.

Utah Rep. Chris Cannon faces competition for the GOP nomination from former Rep. Merrill Cook, who has filed, and from developer John Jacob, who has said he might spend up to $1 million in the race. Cannon has faced criticism for his efforts to create a guestworker program. National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Thomas Reynolds of New York said Thursday the NRCC supports it incumbents. "The committee will help Chris Cannon in whatever way we can be helpful," he said. Reynolds said the NRCC also plans to support a GOP candidate in the race against Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson, who represents the Republican-leaning 2nd District, but the state's convention and primary process makes it difficult to handicap the race. Republicans who have filed include state Rep. LaVar Christensen, general contractor Kris Lounsbury and consultant Joe Tucker.

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By Mark Wegner