Democrats see a surge in interest, but can that create a 'blue wave' in red Idaho?
Those at the convention were focused on the issues, not the long odds of getting a Democrat elected in a state dominated by Republicans. But they were encouraged by high voter turnout in the May primary and energized by local and national buzz about 38-year-old gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan, a Coeur d'Alene Tribe member trying to become the first female governor of Idaho and the first Democrat elected to the top spot since Cecil Andrus in 1990.
Jordan, who served two terms in the Idaho House of Representatives, handily defeated the party's 2014 nominee for governor, A.J. Balukoff, a 72-year-old businessman and longtime Boise schools trustee.
Other convention delegates, who browsed party and candidate information tables when not attending meetings, panel discussions or speeches in the Jewett Auditorium building on Friday, echoed Beebe’s urgency about getting involved in politics in the Trump era. They also cited concerns about issues such as Medicaid, education, wages and immigration.
Jordan rallied party faithful on Friday, urging them to get out in their communities and share their message of inclusivity.
"If we do not talk of it, it does not happen — we do not manifest what we need to grow," Jordan said. "All I hear is hate, from the national, from the local. And yet we have to be the party of love that saves humanity, saves society and saves our children."
Jordan said she will meet with residents of every community in the state to share that message.
More than 30 percent of registered voters in Idaho participated in the May primary, the highest turnout in 16 years. Idaho has seen a surge in interest and involvement in Democratic politics, said Shelby Scott, political director for the state party.
"There's been no lull in volunteers since Nov. 8, 2016," Scott said, referencing the day of Trump's election. "And primary turnout for the party this spring was well above normal. We're seeing very qualified candidates — not only at the top of the ballot but down to the legislative and county races."
Featured convention speaker Jason Kander, 37, president of Let America Vote and a former Missouri secretary of state, told delegates that it's up to them to create a "blue wave" of newly elected Democrats.
"The blue wave is not a weather event. It's made," he said. "You have to go out and knock on doors and make phone calls and do the work."
Steve Sampson, a 41-year-old from Oneida County in southeastern Idaho, said he's been making calls, fundraising and going door to door. He's ready to do more.
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