A southern Idaho legislative primary has attracted more than half a million dollars in combined campaign and outside group spending, setting a record for this election cycle.
The contest pits incumbent Sen. Jim Guthrie against challenger David Worley in District 28, which covers Preston, American Falls, and areas surrounding Pocatello. Through Thursday, political action committees reported spending $375,107 on both sides of the race, while the two candidates’ campaigns spent $128,545, bringing total expenditures to $503,652.
Guthrie, a McCammon Republican seeking his ninth legislative term, drew $237,205 in PAC spending, with nearly 90 percent of that backing his re-election. Business-aligned organizations provided the bulk of his support. The Idaho Prosperity Fund PAC, connected to the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, spent $72,392 supporting Guthrie. The Idaho Liberty PAC, which received money from St. Luke’s and Micron, spent $72,771 on his behalf. The WinAg PAC and PAC for Public Lands also backed the senator.
Two groups funded by out-of-state sources opposed Guthrie. Make Liberty Win, tied to Young Americans for Liberty, spent $23,203 against him. The Citizens Alliance of Idaho spent $1,844 in opposition.
Worley attracted $137,902 in PAC spending split evenly between support and opposition. The Citizens Alliance of Idaho spent $10,498 backing his campaign. Make Liberty Win reported $9,220 supporting Worley. The 36-18-1 PAC, funded by Rep. Jordan Redman of Coeur d’Alene, spent $22,872 in his favor.
Groups opposing Worley included the Idaho Liberty PAC, which spent $35,114 against him, and Defend and Protect Idaho, which spent $20,078 in opposition.
Six constitutional officers split over the race. Attorney General Raul Labrador endorsed Worley. Gov. Brad Little, Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke, Superintendent Debbie Critchfield, Secretary of State Phil McGrane, and Controller Brandon Woolf backed Guthrie.
The second-costliest primary involves two North Idaho Republicans from Sagle: Sen. Jim Woodward and challenger Scott Herndon. PACs spent $134,570 on that race and the campaigns spent $133,220, totaling $267,790.
Herndon, who favors eliminating property taxes, received independent expenditure support from Redman’s 36-18-1 PAC and the Idaho Summit PAC, chaired by Redman with Rep. Josh Tanner as treasurer. Woodward drew backing from Defend and Protect Idaho and the PAC for Public Lands.
With the May 19 primary six days out, additional spending is expected from both PACs and campaigns. Full primary election spending figures will be available in June.