Ballotpedia's 2012 General Election Preview Articles: Idaho State Legislature

November 2, 2012

By Ballotpedia's State legislative team

Idaho's State Legislative Elections in 2012
Senate seats	Contested senate seats	House seats	Contested house seats
35	23 (65.7%)	70	55 (78.6%)

BOISE, Idaho: There are 105 total legislative seats with 2012 elections in Idaho, where polling places are open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM local time. The state is divided between the Mountain time zone and the Pacific time zone. In some areas, depending on the preference of the County Clerk, the polling places open at 7:00 AM.

The State Senate is currently firmly controlled by Republicans, who have a 28 to 7 majority over the Democrats. The Republican majority in the State House is also large, with 57 Republicans and 13 Democrats.

Of the 105 incumbents up for election in 2012, 70 (66.7%) of them are running for re-election. A total of 78 of 105 (74.3%) districts will see more than one major party candidate in the general election.

Here are a few races to watch:

Senate

• In District 8: Incumbent Republican Sheryl L. Nuxoll is running in District 7, leaving this district open to non-incumbents. Steven Thayn emerged from a contested primary field to be the Republican nominee, while Joanna Clausen carries the standard for the Democrats in this race. Kirsten Faith Richardson is also running as an Independent.
• In District 29: Incumbent Democrat Diane Bilyeu (D) is not running for re-election. The open seat drew attention from Republicans; Greg Romriell defeated Terry Andersen in a two-way primary contest for the Republican nomination. On the Democratic side, House incumbent Roy Lacey ran unopposed and faces Romriell in the final contest for the seat.

House

• In District 5B: With incumbent Republican Frank Henderson running for re-election in District 3B, Democratic District 6B incumbent Shirley Gene Ringo is trying to win this district for her party. Three Republicans lined up in the primary for a chance to stop her; Kenneth B. De Vries emerged victorious from that field, and will now face the sitting Democratic incumbent in a new district.
• In District 8A: Republican incumbent Ken A. Roberts handily won the state primary, but withdrew from the race in July. Terry F. Gestrin was appointed to fill his spot on the ballot, but he still faces Democratic primary winner Karla J. Miller to hold this seat for his party.
• In District 16B: This seat, being vacated by retiring incumbent Democrat Elfreda Higgins, attracted primaries on both sides of the aisle. Hy Kloc got the Democratic nod, and Graham Paterson will be representing the Republicans.
• In District 17A: Democratic incumbent Bill Killen withdrew from the race on March 13, 2012, leaving Democrats without an incumbent. John L. Gannon won the Democratic nomination in an uncontested primary, and now faces Republican Kreed Ray Kleinkopf and Independent Gus Voss.

Idaho State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	7	6
	Republican Party	28	29
Total		35	35

Idaho House of Representatives
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	13	13
	Republican Party	57	57
Total		70	70

Articles

• 2012 elections review: Five incumbents ousted in ID legislative primaries May 16
• 2012 elections preview: Idaho voters prepare for congressional and legislative primaries May 14

See also

• Ballotpedia's 2012 General Election Preview Articles: Idaho Congressional Seats
• Ballotpedia:2012 general election preview articles
• State legislative elections, 2012
• November 6, 2012 election results
• State legislative elections, 2012
• Idaho elections, 2012

• Idaho State Senate elections, 2012
• Idaho House of Representatives elections, 2012