>>> PRESENTATIONCH "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAUR LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO, BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PAWB TELEVISION, AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>>> THE DUST IS STARTING TO SETTLE FROM TUESDAY NIGHT'S ELECTIONS, AND NOW WE HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT WHAT THOSE RESULTS MIGHT MEAN FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS OF PUBLIC POLICY DECISIONS IN IDAHO.

I'LL MELISSA DAVLIN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "IDAHO REPORTS."

THIS WEEK FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IDAHO BETTY RICHARDSON, KEN BURG WRERSZ OF VARIETYAS VISITORS E AND DR. JACLYN KETTLER OF BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF PUBLIC SERVICE JOIN ME TO BREAK DOWN THE ELECTION RESULTS AS WELL AS THE BASSAGE OF SJR102 AND WHAT ALL OF THAT COULD MEAN FOR THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS OF POLICY.

SO LET'S GET TO SOME OF THE RESULTS, STARTING WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES.

INCUMBENT REPRESENTATIVES RUSS FULCHER AND MIKE SIMPSON EASY WON ON TUESDAY AS DID U.S.

SENATOR MAKE CRAPO.

PRODUCER RUTH BROWN HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO HIM ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

>> WELL, THE FIRST THING WE'VE GOT TO DO WHEN WE GET BACK TO WASHINGTON IS TO STOP THE SPRENLDING SPREE P. SPENDING SPREE, BRING SOME SANITY TO OUR BUDGET.

SECONDLY, RESTORE OUR ENERGY POLICIES SO WE CAN BE ENERGY INDEPENDENT AGAIN.

WE'VE SHOWN HOW TO DO THAT.

AND THEN THIRD, CLOSE THE BORDERS.

WE'VE GOT TO STOP THE OPEN BORDER SYSTEM THAT IS NOW IN PLACE.

SO A LOT OF THAT IS DAMAGE CONTROL.

BUT THEN ON TOP OF THAT, WE'VE GOT TO RESTORE OUR INCOME TAX CODE.

AND OUR TRADE POLICIES SO THAT WE CAN BUILD OUR ECONOMY BACK TO THAT STRONG ECONOMY WE HAD JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.

>> I WANTED TO START WITH YOU.

YOU WORKED FOR SENATOR CRAIG FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

AS OF THE TIME WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION, WE'RE NOT SURE IF THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO HAVE A MAJORITY OR MINORITY IN THE SENATE FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

AT THE ENTED OF GUY -- END OF THE DAY, DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHETHER WE'RE IN THE MINORITY OR MAJORITY?

>> IN TERMS.

CONSTITUENT SERVICES WORK THAT THEY DO, PROBABLY NOT AS MUCH.

BUT IN TERMS OF A BROADER POLICY INITIATIVES THAT THEY MAY WANT TO PURSUE, YES, BECAUSE IN THE END, THE MAJORITY IS OF ANY HOUSE WE CAN TELL IS GOING TO BE SO SLIM, THAT IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT I THINK FOR CONGRESS TO BE ABLE TO GET A LOT OF BIG POLICY WORK DONE.

THE SENATE ISSUE IS -- HAS A LOT MORE TO DO WITH WHETHER PRESIDENT BIDEN'S FEDERAL JUDGE APPOINTEES AND/OR SNOW CABINET SECRETARIES THAT THEY -- NEW CABINET SECRETARIES THAT THEY MIGHT BE NOMINATING CAN GET THROUGH THE SENATE.

RIGHT NOW IT'S 50/50 OR 51/49.

AND TO GET BIG POLICY WORK DONE, YOU NEED 60 VOTES.

>> DR. KETTLER, I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR TAKEAWAY FROM THE CONGRESS RESULTS.

ARE TIES.

>> GOING BACK TO THIS TEQUESTION OF BEING IN THE MINORITY OR MAJORITY WILL SHAPE WHAT ROLE THEY PLAY, WHETHER THEY BECOME LEADERS OR RANKING MEMBERS.

SO THAT CAN ALSO SPEAK TO THEIR POLICY KIND OF GOALS.

AS WELL AS I THINK -- IT DEMONSTRATED JUST KIND OF THE STRENGTH THAT REPUBLICANS BRING TO SOME OF THESE POSITIONS, ESPECIALLY THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES THAT WE SEE.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 15 SECONDS LEFT BEFORE WE NEED TO MOVE ON.

BETTY, I'M CURIOUS, THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES, ARE WE GOING TO SEE MORE OF THEM IN THE FUTURE?

>> I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF WE DON'T SEE MORE OF THEM IN THE FUTURE.

I THINK BOTH KALEY PETERSON AND WENDY NORMAN FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY INVIGORATING EXERCISE.

THEY DID WELL AND THEY JUST STARTED.

SO I THINK WE'LL SEE MORE OF THEM, YES.

>> THE U.S. DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE DAVID ROTH, TOO, WHO RAN FOR SENATE.

>> I HAVEN'T SPOKEN WITH DAVID.

HE MAY RUN AGAIN.

I WOULD THINK HE MIGHT RUN AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, BUT YES, WE'LL SEE MORE OF ALL OF THEM.

>> STATE RIDE -- STATEWIDE OFFICES, INCUMBENT BRAD LITTLE WON WITH 60.5% OF THE VOTE WHILE DEMOCRAT STEPHEN HIDE TOOK 20% AND AMMON BUNDY TOOK 17%.

>> PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF RECORD INFLATION.

LIMITED OPPORTUNITY, AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS WHO IGNORE THE STRUGGLES THAT DIMINISH THEIR OPPORTUNITIES.

HERE IN IDAHO, WE'VE RESPONDED TO THE CALL FOR BUSINESSES AND CITIZENS TO MAKE GOVERNMENT RESPONSIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE.

YEARS OF CONSECUTIVE GOOD GOVERNING, CONSERVATIVE GOVERNING, AND POSITIONING IDAHO HARD-EARNED MONEY SO THEY CAN HAVE RECORD TAX RELIEF.

TO HAVE THE STRONGEST ECONOMY IN THE UNITED STATES AND TO HAVE THE MOST STABLE BUDGETS WITH THE BEST FOR IDAHO TO WEATHER ANY LINGERING RECESSION.

WE'RE READY TO KEEP IDAHO THE LEAST REGULATED STATE.

WE'RE READY TO UNLEASH INNOVATION AND ENORMOUS POTENTIAL FOR BUSINESSES, AND NOT STIFLE THEM SO IDAHOANS CAN HAVE THE MAXIMUM OPPORTUNITY.

WE'RE READY TO PROVIDE IDAHOANS WITH MORE RELIEF FROM TAXES.

>> DR. KETTLER, I DON'T THINK ANYONE WAS SURPRISED THAT WHROO I WANT TO TALK -- WHAT I.- WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHY THE NEXT TWO, AMMON BUNDY AND STEPHEN HEIDT.

BOTH OF THEM GOT PRETTY CLOSE TO THE SAME AMOUNT OF VOTES.

BUT I'M CURIOUS, WHAT DO YOU TAKE FROM THAT?

DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE HAD AN UNSUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN, THAT BUNDY HAD A WILDLY SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN, OR BUNDY SPENT A LOT OF MONEY AND STILL GOT THE SAME AT OF VOTES AS STEPHEN HEIDT?

>> LOTS OF GREAT QUESTIONS.

HEIDT'S CAMPAIGN WASN'T ESPECIALLY ACTIVE.

SO I THINK THAT -- PROBABLY AFFECTED THE VOTE TOTALS FOR HIM, AND SOME DEMOCRATS -- ON LOT OF UNAFFILIATED VOTERS MIGHT HAVE VOTED FOR LITTLE AGAINST BUNDY.

BUNDY RECEIVING 17% IS KIND OF INTERESTING.

YOU KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY SPENT, MAYBE A LOT OF CONTINUED FRUSTRATION OVER COVID POLICIES OR A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR SOME OF THOSE FAR RIGHT POLICY PROPOSALS THAT GROW VOTERS TO SUPPORT HIM.

>> WHILE CEER ON -- WE'RE ON THE TOPIC OF AMMON BUNDY, HOW MUCH MOMENTUM DO YOU THINK HIS SUPPORTS WILL HAVE MOVING INTO THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION OR TWO?

>> I THINK -- THEY'RE GOING TO FEEL A LITTLE EMBOLDENED BY THE AMOUNT HE GOT.

I LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT GIVES US A GOOD IDEA OF HOW MANY ULTRA RIGHT WING VOTERS ARE OUT THERE.

AND THERE WAS A TIME WHEN I THOUGHT ONCE RON PAUL WAS NO LONGER RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, THAT THAT WAS GONNA KIND OF DISSIPATE AND IT HASN'T.

IN FACT, IF ANYTHING, IT'S STRENGTHENED.

SO I THINK THERE WILL BE -- THEY'LL FEEL LIKE THEY'VE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF MOMENTUM AND CAN TRY TO GET SOME THINGS DONE.

>> I DID WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT STEPHEN HEIDT.

I'M NOT SURE THAT I'VE EVER SEEN A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR GET ONLY 20% OF THE VOTE.

WAS THAT ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE EXPECTING ON TUESDAY NIGHT?

>> YEAH.

FRANKLY, HE RAN -- TO SAY THAT HE RAN AN INACTIVE CAMPAIGN WAG BEING -- WAS BEING GENEROUS.

HE WAS PROBABLY THE MOST DISENGAGED CANDIDATE AND THAT WAS UNFORTUNATE AND I THINK IT HURT THE ENTIRE TICKET ALL THE WAY DOWN.

WE NEEDED A STRONG, ARTICULATE CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR WHO COULD ESPOUSE A VISION OR WHAT HE THOUGHT OR SHE THOUGHT IDAHO COULD AND SHOULD BE.

AND MR. HEIDT WAS NOT THAT PERSON.

>> WAS THAT ENTIRELY ON MR. HEIDT OR SHOULD THE IDAHO DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAVE BEEN MORE ACTIVE IN TRYING TO GET HIM INTO THE FOLD?

>> I CAN TELL YOU FOR A FACT THAT THE IDAHO DEMOCRATIC PARTY DID EVERYTHING THEY POSSIBLY COULD TO GET HIM INTO THE FOLD.

AND THAT WAS NOT HAPPENING.

>> YEAH.

ON TO STATEWIDE RACES, REPUBLICANS DID WELL IN THOSE SEATS AS WELL.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE SCOTT BEDKE WON WITH 6 1ST PFT OF THE -- 64% OF THE VOTE, BEATING TERRI PICKENS MANWEILER.

AND RULE LABRADOR GOT 62% AGAINST DEMOCRAT TOM ARKOOSH.

REPUBLICAN SUPERINTENDENT CANDIDATE DEBBIE CRITCHFIELD GOT 69% AGAINST DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE TERRY GILBERT.

THE OTHER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES WON WITH PHIL MCGRANE WINNING 72% OF THE VOTE, JULIE ELLSWORTH 71%, AND BRANDON WOOLF 69%.

PRODUCER RUTH BROWN SPOKE WITH SOME OF THEM ON TUESDAY NIGHT AFTER THEIR WINS.

HERE'S WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> ON DAY ONE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT STAFF, THAT WE TALKED TO -- TALK TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE, THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHAT THE MISSION IS AND THE MISSION FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS IS GOING TO BE TO DEFEND THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO, TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT AGAINST THE ENCROACHMENT OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, MAKE SURE THE BUREAUCRATIC STATE IN IDAHO, DOESN'T OVERREACH AND TO STAND UP FOR RIGHTS AND THE FREEDOM OF INDIVIDUALS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO GET RIGHT TO WORK ON A TRANSITION TEAM.

WE WANT TO MAKE THAT AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THERE'S NO GAP WITH KIDS OR TEACHERS OR PARENTS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SCHOOLS FEEL SUPPORTED AND THAT AS WE GO INTO THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THAT WE'VE GOT A SOLID BUDGET, THAT REFLECTS THE OUTCOMES.

SO THAT'S GOING TO TAKE AN úAMOUNT OF WORK.

BUT I'M EXCITED.

I'M JUST WELL HOPEFUL ABOUT WHERE WE COULD BE IN IDAHO WITH EDUCATION.

>> FIRST I'M REALLY HOPING THAT TODAY'S ELECTION STANDS OUT, RIGHT?

MANY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE PARTICIPATING IN IT.

WE HAD A LARGER VOLUME OF POLL WATCHERS FOR THIS ELECTION THAN WE'VE EVER HAD.

BUT IT WENT SMOOTHLY TODAY.

AND I THINK IT'S A SIGN OF BUILDINGS CONFIDENCE BY THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING AND JUST A SIGN THAT WE'RE DOING IT PROPERLY HERE IN THE STATE OF IDAHO.

I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO EDUCATE AND SHARE INFORMATION WITH THE NEW LEGISLATORS COMING IN.

AND I REALLY DO LOOK FORWARD WORKING WITH THEM TO IMPROVE OUR ELECTION SYSTEM, BUT NOT CHANGE SOMETHING THAT'S WORKING.

>> YOU CAN COUNT ON US TO ALWAYS DO WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING, AND THESE TO CONCENTRATE ON THE FUNDAMENTALS, WHICH IS TO EMPOWER PARENTS, WHICH IS TO ALWAYS LIVE WITHIN THE TAIRNS' MEANS, TO -- TAXPAYERS' MEANS,TO ALWAYS BACK THE BLUE, PROTECT LIVE -- LIFE, THE SECOND AMENDMENT, THAT'S WHAT WE DO, THAT'S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT, AND THAT'S WHY EVERYBODY WANTS WHAT IDAHO HAS.

>> DR. KETTLER, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

DO YOU HAVE ANY BROAD TAKEAWAYS FROM THE STATEWIDE OUTCOMES?

>> I MEAN, PRETTY -- PRETTY LARGE MARGINS FOR THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

I THINK IN -- SORRY.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE IS ONE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WATCHING.

ARKOOSH, THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE, GOT SOME SUPPORT FROM FORMER REPUBLICAN OFFICIALS.

SO TRYING TO BUILD A BROADER COALITION.

HE DID BETTER THAN THE OTHER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES BUT STILL ONLY GETTING ABOUT 37% OF THE VOTE.

SO AGAIN, JUST KIND OF THE STRENGTH THE REPUBLICANS.

THEY'LL COME IN WITH A PRETTY GOOD MANDATE FOR THEIR OFFICES.

>> BETTY, YOU SAID SOMETHING EARLIER THAT I WANT TO CIRCLE BACK TO, ABOUT HOW MR. HEIDT, THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, ABOUT HOW HIS INACTIVE CAMPAIGN MIGHT HAVE AFFECTED DOWN-TICKET RACES.

DO YOU THINK THAT THAT WAS A FACTOR IN TOM ARKOOSH LOSING?

AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU WERE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN HIS CAMPAIGN?

>> I DO.

BUT I THINK AS MUCH OF A FACTOR WAS AMMON BUNDY BEING ON THE BALLOT.

AND I THINK YOU SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE -- A LOT OF THE EXTREME RIGHT THAT CAME OUT TO SUPPORT AMMON BUNDY VOTING FOR RAUL LABRADOR AS WELL.

IT WASN'T THE LORIS AND THE DANIELS WHO WERE SUPPORTING RULE.

-- RAUL.

MESUPPORTED ARKOOSH.

BUT IT WAS THE FOR RIGHT EXTREME THAT SUPPORTED RAUL.

SO I THINK BUNDY HAD AS MUCH OF AN IMPACT THERE AS STEPHEN HEIDT.

>> BUT TO BE CLEAR, RAUL LABRADOR DOES HAVE A WIDE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, EVEN WITH SOME OF THE REPUBLICANS WHO DID COME OUT AND SUPPORT TOM ARKOOSH.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

I THINK A LOT OF THAT HAD REALLY MORE TO DO WITH WHAT MAY HAPPEN FOUR YEARS FROM NOW.

RIGHT.

THERE IS AN ASSUMPTION AND I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT'S TRUE OR NOT, BUT THERE'S AN ASSUMPTION THAT RAUL WANTS TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR STIEWMING -- ASSUMING BRADS STEPS DOWN AND SCOTT BEDKE WILL BE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

AND THAT WAS TO HEAD OFF THE UGLY PRIMARY RACE FOR GOVERNOR FOUR YEARS FROM NOW.

>> I WOULD SAY ONE THING IN RESPONSE TO THAT.

I THINK RAUL IS PLANNING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR WHETHER OR NOT BRAD LITTLE STEPS DOWN.

I WOULD ADD THAT.

>> THERE'S A LOT THAT CAN HAPPEN.

SENATOR RICH'S SEAT WILL BE UP FOR ELECTION.

WHO KNOWS WHAT MIKE IS GOING TO DO.

>> I'M BARELY RECOVERED FROM TUESDAY, SO I WILL WAIT UNTIL I THINK ABOUT FOUR YEARS FROM NOW!

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RACE.

THIS IS ONE WHERE FOUR YEARS AGO, THIS WAS VERY CLOSE, BETWEEN THE DEMOCRATIC AND THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.% NOT THE CASE THIS TIME.

I'M CURIOUS, WHAT THE DIFFERENCE WAS THIS YEAR AND I'D LOVE TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I MEAN, DEBBIE CRITCHFIELD RAN A VERY DIFFERENT CAMPAIGN THAN YBARRA USUALLY RUNS.

VERY INVOLVED, TRAVELING A LOT, ADVERTISING.

I THINK SHE REALLY COMMUNICATED WITH A LOT OF VOTERS.

AND WAS ABLE TO PULL MORE SUPPORT THAN WHAT YBARRA HAD BEEN ABLE TO DO IN COMPARISON ACROSS THE YEARS.

AND THAT MAY HAVE ALSO STOLEN SOME VOTES FROM GILBERT ALONG THE WAY, TOO.

>> MAYBE SOME OF THOSE EDUCATION TRADITIONALLY GONE FOR A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT TERRI GILBERT CAME INTO THE RACE VERY LATE.

HE FILED IN TIME TO MAKE THE PRIMARY BALLOT.

BUT HE FILED LARGELY BECAUSE THERE WAS A CONCERN THAT THERE NOT ABCHOICE, AND IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT THAT WE GIVE VOTERS A CHOICE.

BUT THERE WAS TREMENDOUS CONCERN THAT BROWN ANDDERST MIGHT -- BRANDONDERST WON THAT PRIMARY.

HAD HE WON, THEN TERRY GILBERT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO A LOT OF FOLKS.

I THINK ON A LOT OF ISSUES, YOU DON'T SEE A HUGE GAP.

[CRITCHFIELD AND GILBERT.

TERRY BILL BERT WAS MORE OPPOSED TO VOUCHERS THAN DEBBIE.

THEY WERE MAINSTREAM CANDIDATES.

BUT IF BRANDEN DURST BEEN A REPUBLICAN NOMINEE, HE WOULD HAVE HAD A DIFFERENT -- >> SHE PROBABLY WORKED HARDER THAN ANYBODY ELSE ON THE BALLOT I THINK THIS YEAR.

>> YOU DID MENTION INCOMING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR-ELECT SCOTT BEDKE EARLIER.

THIS IS ANOTHER ONE WHERE -- THERE WAS A VERY STRONG DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE WHO RAN HARD.

BEDKE DID BETTER THAN JANIS McGENE DID FOUR-YEARS AGO.

WHAT WERE THE FACTOR IN THAT, KEN?

>> WELL, I WOULD ARGUE IT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT OF AN ANTIMcGUILLEN KIND OF FEEL -- ANTIMcGUILLEN FEEL.

AND SCOTT STARTED OFF EARLY.

HE RAN VERY QUICKLY, VERY HARD.

AND SO THE RESULT WAS NOT NECESSARILY A SURPRISE.

>> WELL, ON TUESDAY, ASSOCIATE PRODUCER LOGAN FINNEY CAUGHT UP WITH DEMOCRATIC LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE TERRI PICKENS MANWEILER WHO SAID SHE ISN'T DONE WITH IDAHO POLITICS, ECHOING A TEACH SHE GAVE EARLIER IN THE NIGHT.

>> NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TONIGHT, THIS VOICE IS GOING TO BE SPEAK FOR ALL OF YOU AND I'M GOING TO BE MAKING IT LOUD, SO EVERYONE CAN LISTEN.

[CHEERING] >> YOU ALL MATTER.

EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM MATTERS.

AND EVERYONE IN IDAHO MATTERS.

>> REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS TONIGHT, MY NEXT STEP IS TO INITIATE A BALLOT INITIATIVE TO RESTORE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IN THIS STATE.

WE'RE AT A POINT WHERE WE NEED TO DO THAT.

88% OF THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE ABORTION ACCESS.

AND SO A BALLOT INITIATIVE WILL SHOW THE LEGISLATURE IT'S TIME TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT, NOT WHAT THEY WANT.

>> DR. KETTLER, SINCE THE OVERTURN OF ROE V. WADE THIS SUMMER, WE'VE ALREADY SEEN ABORTION ACCESS ISSUES ON THE BALLOT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD TAKE FOR SUCH AN INITIATIVE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN IDAHO HYPOTHETICALLY?

>> I MEAN, IT'S ALWAYS A CHALLENGE JUST TO GET ON THE BALLOT, RIGHT, FOR A BALLOT INITIATIVE.

BUT WE'VE SEEN ABORTION-RELATED MEASURES IN OTHER STATES INCLUDING MORE CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN STATES.

GET ON THE BALLOT.

SEEMINGLY TURN OUT PEOPLE TO VOTE.

AND BE SUCCESSFUL.

AND SO I THINK THIS WILL BE REALLY INTERESTING TO WATCH AS IT DEVELOPS MOVING FORWARD.

>> BETTY, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON -- HOW REALISTIC THIS MIGHT BE IN A CONSERVATIVE STATE LIKE IDAHO?

>> I THINK IT'S NOT UNREALISTIC, BUT I THINK A LOT WILL DEPEND ON CAN WE GET AN EARLY START AND CAN THE INITIATIVE BE DRAFTED IN AWAY TO APPEAL TO A MAJORITY OF I'VE HADONS.

I THINK -- IDAHOANS.

I THINK MOST DO SUPPORT, BUT THE QUESTION BECOMES AT WHAT -- WHERE IN THE SPECTRUM.

AND SO I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT SHOULD THE INITIATIVE LOOK LIKE, HOW SHOULD IT READ, AND THEN THE SOORP THEY GET STARTED, THE BETTER THEIR CHANCE.

>> KEN, IN ABOUT 15 SECONDS, DO YOU THINK IT'S POSSIBLE FOR A NARROWLY TAILORED ABORTION INITIATIVE TO GAIN SOME REPUBLICAN SUPPORT?

>> YES.

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S VERY -- IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT IN THE STATE OF IDAHO.

LEGISLATURES HAVE DONE THAT ON PURPOSE.

BUT I EXPECT THAT THAT DEBATE IS GOING TO BE A VERY HOT DEBATE IN THIS COMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION FROM JANUARY THROUGH MAY.

DEPENDING WHAT COMES OUT OF THAT, THERE MAY BE SOME GOOD OPPORTUNITY THERE FOR A BALLOT INITIATIVE.

>> AND SPEAKING OF THE LEGISLATURE, AFTER TECTONIC SHIFTS IN LEGISLATIVE MAKEUP THIS SPRING, THANKS TO RETIREMENTS, REDISTRICTING, AND PRIMARY DEFEATS, THE GENERAL ELECTION HAD FEWER COMPETITIVE RACES THIS FALL.

BUT FOUR LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS KEPT IDAHO PLITOS -- POLITICOS ON THE EDGE OF THEIR SEATS.

DISTRICT 6 IN NORTH IDAHO, 15 IN ADA COUNTY, 26 IN MAGIC VALLEY AND WOOD RIVER VALLEY, AND 29 IN POCATELLO.

OUR PARTNERS AT KUID AND THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS MEDIA CAUGHT UP WITH TWO OF THE DISTRICT 6 INCUMBENTS ON TUESDAY NIGHT IN MOSCOW BEFORE RESULTS CAME IN.

HERE'S WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST THING I HEARD FROM VOTERS WAS ABOUT PROPETY TAX.

THEY WERE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

AND WE GOT SOME GOOD SOLUTIONS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO WORK ON.

SO I THINK THAT WILL BE GOOD.

I HEARD FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT VOTERS THAT THEY'RE KIND OF GETTING TIRED OF THE NEGATIVITY THAT COMES IN ELECTIONS AND SO WE WANT TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT, IDAHO IS BETTER THAN THAT.

SO THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO, SEE IF WE CAN'T MAKE -- KEEP IDAHO THAT WAY.

I THINK THAT ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS IS THE TAX -- PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

WE'RE REALLY FOCUSED ON THAT.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF DIFFERENT IDEAS POPPING AROUND.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY FIX IT ON A MORE LONG-TERM BASIS AND NOT JUST A SHORT-TERM FIX.

>> I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO RUN THE CAMPAIGN I WANTED TO RUN THIS CYCLE.

I'VE BEEN WORKING HARD SINCE MAY, KNOCKING MANY DOORST TALKING TO SCHOOL BOARDS, PEOPLE ACROSS OUR DISTRICT.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY GENEROUS IN MY FUND-RAISING, SO I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO ALL THE ADVERTISING I THINK I NEEDED TO DO.

I'M AT PEACE WITH THIS RACE.

I FEEL LIKE I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO DO AND I THINK I'M A GOOD REPRESENTATIVE FOR THIS DISTRICT.

>> NEW TERRITORY TO LEARN, I HAD TO LEARN ABOUT LEWIS COUNTY AND EASTERN NES PERCENT COUNTY, ALTHOUGH I GREW UP IN GENESEE, SO THAT'S CLOSE TO MY STOMPING GROUNDS.

IT'S I THINK BETTER FOR ME THAN THE OAGHT DISTRICT.

I THINK IT'S SLIGHTLY FRIENDLIER TO DEMOCRATS.

AND I WOULD SAY I LEARNED THAT IN MY RECEPTION.

AND I THINK IT'S -- IT'S A MORE COHERENT AGRICULTURAL AREA.

BENEWAH COUNTY DIDN'T HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH -- IT'S MORE OF A TIMBER COUNTY, WHERE AS LEWIS AND EASTERN NESPERS ARE BIG PRAIRIE FARM AREAS.

SO WE'RE ALL WHEAT GROWERS.

I CAN UNDERSTAND THEIR ISSUES ALREADY.

>> REPUBLICANS SWEPT ALL THREE SEATS IN THE DISTRICT 6, WITH SENATOR DAVID NELSON NARROWLY LOSING TO FORMER SENATOR DAN FOREMAN.

INCUMBENT REPRESENTATIVES BRANDON MITCHELL AND LORI McCANNEN WON THEIR RACES AS WELL.

BUT DEMOCRATS HELD THE LINE ELSEWHERE IN THE STATE, WINNING TWO SEATS IN THE NEW DISTRICT 26 IN SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO.

REP RIGHT YOUR LAURIE LIKELY LOST TO RON TAYLOR.

NED BURNS ALSO WON.

ON WEDNESDAY MORNING UNOFFICIAL RESULTS SHOWED NEWCOMER DEMOCRAT KARMA METZLER FITZGERALD WINNING HOUSE SEAT B, BUT ON THURSDAY MORNING, JEROME COUNTY AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE SAID A TABULATING ERROR RESULTED IN INACCURATE NUMBERS, MAKING MARGINS OF VICTORY EVEN SLIMMER FOR BURNS AND TAYLOR AND GIVING REPUBLICAN JACK NELSEN THE EDGE OR FITZGERALD.

DEMOCRATS PICKED UP A SEAT IN THE SENATE IN BOISE'S DISTRICT 15, AND OTHERWISE MARGINS STAYED THE SAME THERE AND IN POCA TELLO'S DISTRICT 29.

ON TUESDAY NIGHT ASSOCIATE PRODUCER LOGAN FINNEY SPOKE WITH REPRESENTATIVE STEVE BERCH WHO'S BEEN RE-ELECTED TO A THIRD TEAM -- TEAM, ABOUT HIS SUCCESSES IN THE PURPLE ADA COUNTY DISTRICT 15.

>> I RAN FIVE TIMES BEFORE I WON.

FIRST RACE WAS IN 2010.

TWO PRE-DISTRICTINGS AGO.

BUT I'VE LIVED IN WHAT IS DISTRICT 15 FOR 41 YEARS.

YOU LEARN A LOT OF THINGS THAT WHEN YOU KNOCK ON DOORS.

AND YOU LEARN, FIRST OF ALL, THAT GOOD IDEAS AND GOOD PEOPLE COME FROM ALL DIRECTIONS.

BUT YOU ALSO LEARN THAT PEOPLE I THINK ACTUALLY WANT TO VOTE FOR THE PERSON.

BUT THEY NEVER GET TO MEET THE PERSON.

AND SO THEY HAVE VERY LITTLE INFORMATION.

IT'S VERY HARD TO GET INFORMATION ON LEGISLATIVE RACES, NATIONAL NEWS AND POLITICS DOMINATES EVERY SCREEN YOU LOOK AT.

BUT WHEN SOMEONE ACTUALLY GETS A CHANCE TO MEET THE PERSON, ALL OF A SUDDEN -- AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ISSUES, MOST OF THE ISSUES PEOPLE TALK ABOUT ARE NONPARTISAN ISSUES.

EDUCATION, WAGES, HEALTHCARE, INFRASTRUCTURE.

YOU KNOW, ASPHALT KNOWS NO PARTISANSHIP.

>> I WANT TO START WITH NORTH IDAHO IN DISTRICT 6.

I AM FAIRLY SURE THAT THIS IS AT LEAST IN THE LAST 60 YEARS THAT A DEMOCRAT HAS NOT HELD A SINGLE LEGISLATIVE SEAT, NORTH OF RIGGINS IN THAT PACIFIC TIME ZONE.

BETTY, I WANTED TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

NORTH IDAHO USED TO BE A DEMOCRATIC HOLD.

>> IT DID.

WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL AND THE REPUBLICAN SWEEP WAS COMING IN THE SOUTH, MY DAD WOULD SAY WAIT UNTIL THE NORTH COMES IN.

AND IT WAS A GOOD MESSAGE FOR DEMOCRATS, NOT SO NOW.

SO IT'S A LOSS.

LOSING SENATOR NELSEN IS A DEFINITE LOSS.

BUT HE DEFEATED SENATOR FOREMAN TWO YEARS AGO SO MAYBE HE'LL COME BACK IN TWO YEARS, I HOPE SO.

>> WE OFTEN SEE THAT AREA SWITCH BACK AND FORTH TO REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT OVER THE YEARS.

THERE ARE OTHER DISTRICTS UP THERE THAT USED TO BE -- AS YOU SAID, DEMOCRATIC STRONGHOLDS THAT HAVE LONG SINCE BEEN RIP, SWITCH -- REPUBLICAN, SWITCH PRESIDENT -- REPUBLICAN, AND MOST OF THOSE DIDN'T HAVE A SINGLE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE.

IS THIS A CULTURAL CHANGE IN NORTH IDAHO?

>> THERE'S DEFINITELY A CULTURAL GOING -- CHANGE GOING ON.

THOSE WERE THE MODERATE LUNCH BUCKET DEMOCRATS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE MINING INDUSTRY UP THERE QUITE HONESTLY.

>> YEP, YEP.

>> AND THAT IS SLOWLY CHANGED OVER TIME AND NOW AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF A LITTLE HAVEN FOR THE REDOUBTER KIND OF CROWD UP THERE.

AND IT'S GONNA TAKE A LOT OF WORK TO BRING IT BACK TO NORMAL, I THINK.

>> ASIDE FROM DISTRICT 6, I KNOW THAT YOU AND I WERE KEEPING AN EYE ON THE SAME RACES ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

DR. KETTLER, WERE YOU SURPRISED WHEN YOU SAW THE FINAL RESULTS FROM 15, 26, AND 29?

>> IT'S INTERESTING.

WE'VE GOT SOME SPLIT RESULTS HERE, RIGHT?

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS REPRESENTING THESE DISTRICTS, WHICH IS -- AT LEAST IN 15 AND 29, WHICH IS REALLY INTERESTING.

I GUESS IN 26 NOW TOO.

>> ALL PURPLE DISTRICTS IN THOSE SOUTHERN COMPETIVES.

THERE WAS ANOTHER CANDIDATE BUT VOTERS MAY HAVE BEEN SPLITTING THEIR TICKET AS WELL, WHICH IS FASCINATING AND MAY SPEAK TO THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING CANDIDATES GET OUT THERE AND BE ACTIVE CAMPAIGNERS, KNOCKING DOORS MEETING VOTERS.

>> I THINK THE BIGGER FACTOR THAN WHO WON AND LOST ON TUESDAY NIGHT, THOUGH, IS HOW MANY NEW FACES WE ARE GOING TO SEE THIS NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, YOU KNOW.

KEN, I KNOW THAT WE GET A LOT OF NEW FACES EVERY 10 YEARS WITH PRE-DISTRICTS.

BUT -- REDISTRICTING BUT HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> NO, OUT OF A 105-MEMBER LEGISLATURE, BEING GOING TO HAVE 50, 51 NEW PEOPLE THAT WEREN'T THERE IN THE LAST SESSION.

SOME OF THEM HAVE HAD SOME PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE.

AND I THINK THE CHALLENGE IS GOING TO BE FIGURING OUT WHAT THE BROADER PERSONALITY LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO BE.

AND IT MAY TAKE AUS FULL SESSION TO REALLY -- TAKE US A FULL SESSION TO REALLY FIGURE THAT OUT.

>> WE HAVE LESS THAN TWO MINUTES LEFT IN THE SHOW.

BUT I'D BE REMISS NOT TO MENTION THE PASSAGE OF J -- SJR102, THAT WILL ALLOW LAWMAKERS TO CALL THEMSELVES BACK INTO SESSION.

THIS WAS A SLIM VICTORY FOR THE "YES."

IT WAS 52-48.

MOST OF THE NIGHT IT WAS WITHIN A THOUSAND VOTES OF EACH OTHER.

DO YOU THINK THAT THAT SLIM PASSAGE IS GOING TO AFFECT HOW LAWMAKERS SEE THE AMENDMENT AND THIS NEW RESPONSIBILITY OR POWER THAT THEY HAVE?

>> I MEAN, IT SENDS A MESSAGE THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE HAVING THIS POWER.

AND NOW IT'S REALLY IN THE LEGISLATURE'S HANDS ON HOW HOW DO THEY WANT TO USE IT.

AND REALLY, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF RESTRICTION PHYSICAL THEY DO WANT TO USE IT QUITE A BIT.

-- RESTRICTIONS IF THEY DO WANT TO USE IT QUITE A BIT.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THEY FEEL ANY HESITATION OR WHETHER THEY JUST PUSH FORWARD.

>> KEN, MOST DEMOCRATS WERE AGAINST SJR102.

REPUBLICANS WERE SPLIT.

DO YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO MATTER WHEN WE HAVE SO MANY NEW LAWMAKERS, HOW THEY VIEW THAT -- PASSAGE OF THAT AMENDMENT?

>> I THINK THAT'S YET TO BE DETERMINED.

I MEAN, PERSONALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD IDEA.

AND BECAUSE -- YOU'VE KIND OF SEEN THIS GROWING, SLOW MOVEMENT OF LEGISLATURES KIND OF SLOWLY TAKING OVER MORE AND MORE POWER OF WHAT I THINK BELONGS IN THE HANDS OF THE LEGISLATE -- OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, EXCUSE ME.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

I HOPE THAT THEY DON'T COME RUNNING BACK EVERY TIME THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT SOME BOOK THAT'S IN A LIBRARY OR WHATEVER THE CASE MIGHT BE.

RIGHT?

AND COSTING TAXPAYERS MONEY EVERY TIME THAT THEY DO THAT.

>> AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

KEN BURGESS, BETTY RICHARDSON, AND DR. JACLYN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO, BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.