Everything you need to know about ranked-choice voting in one spot. Click to learn more!

Idaho's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2014

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
2016 →
← 2012

CongressLogo.png

Idaho's 2nd Congressional District
General Election Date
November 4, 2014
Primary Date
May 20, 2014
November 4 Election Winner:
Michael K. Simpson Republican Party
Incumbent prior to election:
Michael K. Simpson Republican Party
Michael K. Simpson.jpg
Race Ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid R[1]

Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe R[2]

Fairvote's Monopoly Politics: Safe R[3]
Idaho U.S. House Elections
District 1 • District 2
2014 U.S. Senate Elections
2014 U.S. House Elections
Flag of Idaho.png

The 2nd Congressional District of Idaho held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014.

Incumbent Michael K. Simpson (R) defeated Richard Stallings (D) in the general election.

Mike Simpson, an ally of House Speaker John Boehner, faced challenger Bryan Smith in the Republican primary.[4] Simpson won by approximately 20 percentage points.

Stallings served in the U.S. House from Idaho's 2nd District for four terms, from 1984 to 1992.[5] He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Simpson held over $260,000 cash-on-hand for his campaign though he held significantly more in the April Quarterly. He had to expend much of his finances during the primary race against Smith.[6]

Candidate Filing Deadline Primary Election General Election
March 14, 2014
May 20, 2014
November 4, 2014

Primary: A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. In Idaho, parties decide who may vote in their primaries. As of July 2025, the Democratic Party allows unaffiliated voters to vote in its primary, while the Republican Party only allows voters registered with its party to vote in its primary. Unaffiliated voters can choose to affiliate with a party on Election Day.[7][8][9]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Voter registration: Voters had to register to vote in the primary by either April 25, 2014 (if mailing in registration or registering at an agency) or on election day (must bring proof of residence). For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 10, 2014.[10]

See also: Idaho elections, 2014

Incumbent: Heading into the election the incumbent was Mike Simpson (R), who was first elected in 1998.

Idaho's 2nd Congressional District encompasses eastern Idaho and the Magic Valley region of the state and other outlying areas, as well as a small portion of the Boise Metropolitan Area, including two-thirds of the city of Boise itself. The district includes the counties of Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Butte, Camas, Caribou, Cassia, Clark, Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Fremont, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Lemhi, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Oneida, Power, Teton, and Twin Falls. A portion of Ada County lies within the district.

Candidates

General election candidates


May 20, 2014, primary results

Republican Party Republican Primary

Democratic Party Democratic Primary


Election results

General election results

The 2nd Congressional District of Idaho held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Michael K. Simpson (R) defeated challenger Richard Stallings (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Idaho District 2 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngMike Simpson Incumbent 61.4% 131,492
     Democratic Richard Stallings 38.6% 82,801
Total Votes 214,293
Source: Idaho Secretary of State

Primary results

U.S. House, Idaho District 2 Republican Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngMike Simpson Incumbent 61.6% 48,632
Bryan Smith 38.4% 30,263
Total Votes 78,895
Source: Idaho Secretary of State

Race background

Politico published a list in August 2013 of five primaries to watch in 2014. Idaho's 2nd Congressional District was included on the list.[4]

In December 2013, the Republican primary race ranked ninth in a list from the Washington Post of the top ten races to watch in 2014.[13]

Mike Simpson (R) faced what Politico called his most serious race since he was first elected to the House in 1998.[4]

“Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District is turning into a proxy war for the middle-right of the Republican Party and the right-right of the Republican Party. It’s already happening,” said Phil Hardy, an Idaho Republican operative and a political analyst in the state.[14]

Simpson brought in $306,000 during the second quarter of 2014. In August 2013, the The Associated Press published a report that Smith had been using a donor’s private airplane to fly to campaign events.[15]

Since 1918, just one Idaho representative has failed to win his party’s nomination before managing to win in the general election.[4]

Key votes

Below are important votes the incumbent cast during the 113th Congress.

HR 676

See also: Boehner's lawsuit against the Obama administration

Yea3.png On July 30, 2014, the U.S. House approved a resolution 225 to 201 to sue President Barack Obama for exceeding his constitutional authority. Five Republicans—Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Broun of Georgia, Scott Garrett of New Jersey, Walter Jones of North Carolina and Steve Stockman of Texas—voted with Democrats against the lawsuit.[16] Simpson joined the other 224 Republicans in favor of the lawsuit. All Democrats voted against the resolution.[17][18]

Government shutdown

See also: United States budget debate, 2013

Yea3.png On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[19] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[20] Simpson voted to approve the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[21]

Yea3.png The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[22] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Simpson voted for HR 2775.[23]

Issues

Noteworthy events

Debate

On March 28, 2014, Bryan Smith declined to participate in an April 15 debate with incumbent Mike Simpson.[24] A spokeswoman for Smith criticized Dr. David Adler, director of the Andrus Center for Public Policy, as the designated moderator for the April 15 face-off, and alleged that Adler had publicly praised Simpson while being critical of Smith.[24]

Media

American Chemistry Council's August 2013 ad, "Support for Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID)"
U.S. Chamber of Commerce's February 2014 ad, "Trial Lawyer: Bryan Smith."

Bryan Smith

Challenger Bryan Smith's September 2013 radio ad, "Odd Man Out."
Bryan Smith's first television ad, released in April 2014, "Earmarks."
Bryan Smith's May 2014 ad, "Amnesty."


  • A week before the primary, Smith released another ad, "Amnesty," on May 12, 2014.
    • The ad claimed that Mike Simpson voted in favor of amnesty for illegal immigrants and that “the Washington special interests” are supporting Simpson “because he supports a scheme to give amnesty to illegal aliens.”[25]
  • Smith released his first television ad on April 8, 2014. The ad opened with a clip of incumbent Mike Simpson saying he's "always been a supporter of earmarks."[26]
    • A narrator in the ad continued, "Yeah Mike — we know. You have supported billions in wasteful spending like the 'Bridge of Nowhere.' Fortunately, Republicans have a choice this year, conservative Bryan Smith. Bryan Smith is a husband, father and small business owner. He knows Republicans need to fight Obama's liberal policies."[26]
  • On September 5, 2013, challenger Bryan Smith released a radio ad that attacked incumbent Mike Simpson for not supporting a recent tea party effort to defund the 2010 health care overhaul.[27]
    • “He won’t join conservatives like Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, and our own Raul Labrador, Jim Risch and Mike Crapo in opposing any government spending bill that funds Obamacare,” the ad’s narrator said in the ad.[27]
    • Simpson's campaign responded to the ad by saying, “The only thing more ridiculous than personal injury lawyer Bryan Smith’s selective ignorance of conservative Republican Mike Simpson’s record fighting against Obama-care, is Mr. Smith’s wild-eyed claim that Mike’s a liberal in spite of the fact that Mike Simpson’s earned A ratings from the National Rifle Association, National Right to Life, National Federation of Independent Business and the Chamber of Commerce. Fortunately, Idahoans know that Mike Simpson voted against Obama-care, has voted 40 times to either repeal or defund Obama-care and they are just beginning to know that Bryan Smith is merely a personal injury lawyer who predictably is going to say and do anything to try and get himself elected.”[27]

Club for Growth

In May 2014, the Club for Growth did not spend money in the contested Republican primary, after initially supporting challenger Bryan Smith.[28]

The race drew involvement from national organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Club for Growth.[28] In the weeks leading up to the primary, the group shifted its financial support to other contests, including the U.S. Senate race in Nebraska.[28]

“We’re in a constant state of assessing and reassessing our races, moving resources in and out—depends on the day or week. We did move considerable resources into the Nebraska senate race in the last two weeks,” Club for Growth spokesman Barney Keller said.[28]

Endorsements

Idaho's 2nd Congressional District Republican Contested Primary
Endorsement/Contribution Mike Simpson Bryan Smith
Club for Growth July 10, 2013
House Speaker John Boehner August 26, 2013
The Madison Project September 10, 2013
FreedomWorks September 24, 2013
Mitt Romney November 18, 2013
American Dental Association $20,000 as of January 2, 2014
United States Chamber of Commerce February 20, 2014
Paul Ryan March 3, 2014
National Rifle Association (NRA) March 17, 2014
Mitt Romney April 15, 2014

Mike Simpson

  • Mitt Romney - 2012 Republican presidential candidate[30]
    • Romey endorsed Simpson in a fundraising email on November 18, 2013. In the email he said, “Congressman Mike Simpson is a proven conservative and ‘Idaho tough. But some groups from outside Idaho have decided to attack Mike and distort his conservative record. He needs our help to fight back and set the record straight.”[31]
  • Paul Ryan - 2012 Republican vice presidential candidate[33]
    • Ryan said in his endorsement, “Mike Simpson has been in the trenches fighting to reform runaway spending and has been a critical voice in passing our plan to balance the budget and pay down our debt."[33]
Mitt Romney's endorsement of Mike Simpson on April 15, 2014.
  • American Dental Association spent $22,386 on mailers supporting Simpson, as of January 2, 2014.[34][35]
  • The U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed Simpson on February 20, 2014.[36]

Refusal to endorse

Bryan Smith

Smith received endorsements from the Club for Growth and FreedomWorks.[41][42] The Madison Project endorsed Smith on September 10, 2013.[43]

Bryan Smith has the backing of RedState founder Erick Erickson.[4] Smith also has the backing of Rod Beck, a former state Senator and an influential GOP activist in the state.[4]

In March 2014, Smith was endorsed by the Senate Conservatives Fund.[44]

Other endorsements included:[45]

  • Lenore Barrett: State Representative
  • Janice McGeachin: State Representative
  • Barbara Ehardt: Former Bonneville County Republican Women's President
  • Chad Inman: Idaho Legislative District 17 Chairman
  • Stafford Smith: Idaho Legislative District 33 Chairman
  • John Blattler: Idaho Region 3 Chair
  • Mark Hansen: Bonneville County Treasurer
  • Mike Barrett: Custer County Republican Central Committee Chairman
  • Doyle Beck: Bonneville County Republican Central Committee Chairman
  • Brett Manwaring: Second Vice-Chair – Bonneville County Republican Central Committee
  • Tim Larsen: Bonneville County Republican Central Committee Treasurer
  • Ralph Lillig: Former Vice Chairman, Bannock County Republican Party
  • Ronald Nate: Madison County Republican State Committeeman
  • Brad Christensen: Bonneville County Republican State Youth Committeeman
  • Janet Trujillo: Idaho District 33-A state Representative
  • Peter Nielsen: Idaho District 23-B state Representative
  • Monty Pearce: Idaho District 9 state Senator
  • The Honorable William R. Barlow: Former Idaho District 35-A state Representative
  • Jace Prow: Elmore County Republican Committee Chairman
  • Bunni Farnham: Elmore County Republican Committee Secretary & Camas Precinct Committeewoman
  • Randy Cortagelli: Custer County Republican State Committeeman
  • Mike Adams: Bonneville County Republican State Committeeman
  • Sheryl Nuxoll: Idaho State Senate District 7
  • Steven Vick: Idaho State Senate District 2
  • Judy Boyle: Idaho District 9-B State House Representative
  • Paul Shepherd: Idaho District 7-B State House Representative
  • Rosann Wiltse: Legislative District 16 Chair
  • Randall Patterson: Legislative District 26 Chair & Mayor of Carey
  • Steven Thayn: State Senator District 8
  • Terry Andersen:Idaho Legislative District 29 Chair
  • Jared Sharp: Mayor of Montpelier
  • Mitchel Anderson:Blaine County Republican Committee State Committeeman
  • Staci Thomas:Blaine County Republican Committee State Committeewoman
  • Tyler Ballard: Camas County Republican Committee Youth Committeeman
  • Citizens United Political Victory Fund
  • National Association for Gun Rights
  • Young Americans for Liberty Action Fund PAC

Campaign contributions

In the third quarter of 2013, from July to September, Bryan Smith raised more than $275,000, and ended the quarter with $300,000 cash-on-hand.[46]

During the same period, Simpson said he set a personal record for fundraising, raising over $437,000.[47] At the end of the quarter, Simpson had $600,000 cash on hand.[47]

Simpson said in a news release: “I couldn’t be happier with the response we are getting from Idahoans and with the strong momentum we are experiencing in this race. The people of Idaho know that I have worked hard to protect gun rights, promote a balanced budget amendment, and prevent the onerous impacts of Obamacare. The record setting response we’re seeing to my conservative message confirms that we are on a strong path to re-election.”[47]

Michael K. Simpson

Bryan Smith

Richard Stallings

Richard Stallings (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
Pre-Primary[58]May 5, 2014$0$8,309$(1,650)$6,658
July QuarterlyJuly 15, 2014$6,658$20,115$(14,082)$12,690
Running totals
$28,424$(15,732)

District history

Candidate ballot access
Ballot Access Requirements Final.jpg
Find detailed information on ballot access requirements in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

2012

On November 6, 2012, Mike Simpson (R) won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Nicole LeFavour (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Idaho District 2 General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngMike Simpson Incumbent 65.1% 207,412
     Democratic Nicole LeFavour 34.8% 110,847
     Write-in (Democratic) Jack Wayne Chappell (Write-in) 0.1% 235
Total Votes 318,494
Source: Idaho Secretary of State "November 6, 2012 General Election Results"

2010

On November 2, 2010, Michael K. Simpson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Mike Crawford (D) and Brian Schad (I) in the general election.[59]

U.S. House, Idaho District 2 General Election, 2010
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngMichael K. Simpson incumbent 68.8% 137,468
     Democratic Mike Crawford 24.4% 48,749
     Independent Brian Schad 6.8% 13,500
Total Votes 199,717

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2014 HOUSE RACE RATINGS FOR June 26, 2014," accessed August 5, 2014
  2. ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2014 House Races," accessed August 5, 2014
  3. ↑ Fairvote, "FairVote Releases Projections for the 2014 Congressional Elections," accessed August 5, 2014
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Politico, "5 House primaries to watch," accessed August 8, 2013
  5. ↑ Magic Valley, "Democrat Richard Stallings Mounts Congressional Bid," accessed March 18, 2014
  6. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Report for Receipts and Disbursements," accessed October 7, 2014
  7. ↑ Idaho Secretary of State's Office, "Primary Elections in Idaho," accessed July 2, 2025
  8. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed July 2, 2024
  9. ↑ ACLU Idaho, "2024 Your Rights as an Idaho Voter," accessed July 2, 2025
  10. ↑ Idaho Votes, "Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Voter Registration," accessed January 3, 2014
  11. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Bryan Smith," accessed October 30, 2013
  12. ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "2014 Primary Candidate List," accessed March 17,2 014
  13. ↑ Washington Post, "The top 10 races of 2014: No. 9 (VIDEO)," accessed December 13, 2013
  14. ↑ Politico, "Idaho ground zero for GOP proxy fight," accessed August 12, 2013
  15. ↑ The Spokesman Review, "Candidate flying around district on supporter’s plane, may violate fed law," accessed March 14, 2014
  16. ↑ U.S. House, "House Resolution 676," accessed July 30, 2014
  17. ↑ Associated Press, "Suing Obama: GOP-led House gives the go-ahead," July 31, 2014
  18. ↑ Washington Post, "House clears way for lawsuit against Obama," accessed July 30, 2014
  19. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  20. ↑ Buzzfeed, "Government Shutdown: How We Got Here," accessed October 1, 2013
  21. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  22. ↑ The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
  23. ↑ U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 550," accessed October 31, 2013
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Boise Weekly, "Bryan Smith Backs Out of April 15 Debate With Mike Simpson," accessed March 29, 2014
  25. ↑ Idaho Statesman, "Smith accuses Simpson of conspiracy; Simpson calls Smith a liar," accessed May 14, 2014
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 The Hill, "Tea Party challenger hits Simpson on earmarks in first ad," accessed April 9, 2014
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Roll Call, "Club for Growth Candidate Goes on the Air Against Boehner Ally | #ID02 (Updated)," accessed September 6, 2013
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 Wall Street Journal, "Club for Growth Cuts Spending in Idaho GOP Primary," accessed May 13, 2014
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 Idaho Statesman, "Speaker Boehner to host $50 Boise lunch for Congressman Simpson," accessed August 20, 2013
  30. ↑ Politico, "Mitt Romney backs Mike Simpson in Idaho race," accessed November 19, 2013
  31. ↑ Roll Call, "Mitt Romney Endorses in House GOP Primary in Idaho," accessed November 19, 2013
  32. ↑ Politico, "NRA to endorse Mike Simpson," accessed March 17, 2014
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Simpson for Congress, "Simpson Announces Support of Congressman Paul Ryan," accessed March 10, 2014
  34. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE," accessed January 6, 2014
  35. ↑ Open Secrets, "American Dental Association," accessed January 6, 2014
  36. ↑ Idaho Statesman, "CD2 incumbent Simpson notches Chamber of Commerce endorsement," accessed February 24, 2014
  37. ↑ Washington Post, "Mitt Romney cuts TV ad for congressman facing tea party challenge," accessed April 16, 2014
  38. ↑ Time.com, "Romney Plugs Establishment Candidate in Key GOP Primary," accessed April 16, 2014
  39. ↑ Huffington Post, "Mitt Romney Backs Mike Simpson In New U.S. Chamber of Commerce Ad," accessed April 16, 2014
  40. ↑ Idaho Statesman, "Dan Popkey: Idaho Rep. Labrador won't endorse Simpson," accessed August 20, 2013
  41. ↑ Club for Growth, "Bryan Smith," accessed July 11, 2013
  42. ↑ Idaho Statesman, "Idaho’s Smith wins support of PAC that backed Sens. Paul and Lee," accessed September 25, 2013
  43. ↑ The Madison Project, "Bryan Smith for Congress in Idaho’s Second District," accessed February 12, 2014
  44. ↑ Washington Post, "Senate Conservatives Fund endorses five House challengers, as it tries to expand influence," accessed March 14, 2014
  45. ↑ Byran Smith for Congress, "Endorsements," accessed March 15, 2014
  46. ↑ Washington Post, "Mike Simpson’s primary opponent raises $275,000," accessed October 8, 2013
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 Idaho Statesman, "Simpson raised $437K in third quarter, Smith $275K in Idaho 2nd CD race," accessed October 9, 2013
  48. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed July 23, 2013
  49. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "July Quarterly," accessed July 23, 2013
  50. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed October 23, 2013
  51. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End Report," accessed February 11, 2014
  52. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed April 21, 2014
  53. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "July Quarterly" accessed July 29, 2013
  54. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed November 4, 2013
  55. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year End Report," accessed February 26, 2014
  56. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed May 14, 2014
  57. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Pre-Primary," accessed May 14, 2014
  58. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Pre-Primary," accessed May 14, 2014
  59. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
v • e
2013-2014 Elections to the United States Congress
Senate by State
Alabama • Alaska • Arkansas • Colorado • Delaware • Georgia • Illinois • Idaho • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Montana • Nebraska • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • North Carolina • Oklahoma • Oregon • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Virginia • West Virginia • Wyoming
CongressLogo.png
House by State
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Senate Special Elections
House Special Elections
Election information
Super PACs/Organizations


Idaho's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Mike Crapo (R)
Jim Risch (R)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
Republican Party (4)

Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Idaho%27s_2nd_Congressional_District_elections,_2014&oldid=10530827"