The 2010 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 to elect the Governor of Idaho. Incumbent Republican Governor Butch Otter won re-election, defeating his Democratic opponent Keith G. Allred.
A former Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Representative, Otter won an open seat race in 2006 against Democratic Party nominee Jerry Brady with 52.67% of the vote.
Republican primary
Candidates
Walt Bayes, perennial candidate
Fred Nichols
Butch Otter, Governor of Idaho
Pete Peterson (endorsed independent candidate Jana Kemp, but still filed for the primary) Rex Rammell, veterinarian, conservative activist and independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2008 Sharon Ullman, Ada County Commissioner Tamara Wells
Campaign
Both Rammell and Ullman sought support from followers of the Tea Party movement by criticizing Otter's 2009 attempt to raise Idaho's gas tax.
In August 2009, Rammell drew criticism for joking about buying a license to hunt President Barack Obama.
Polling
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
Keith G. Allred, activist and mediator
Lee Chaney, laborer
Declined
Jerry Brady, nominee for governor in 2002 and 2006
Results
Third party candidates
Libertarian Party
Ted Dunlap
Independents
Jana Kemp, former Republican State Representative
Pro-Life (formerly known as Marvin Richardson), organic strawberry farmer, Constitution Party nominee for governor in 2006 and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2008
General election
Campaign
Between January 1 and May 9, 2010, Allred led Otter in fundraising, having raised $241,000 to Otter's $193,000. Allred said, "We are picking up momentum and are right where we want to be." However, Otter limited his fundraising activity while the Idaho Legislature was in session.
Allred has criticized Otter for backing cuts to public education spending, which led the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry to launch a website attacking Allred.
Predictions
Polling
Results
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
Ada (largest municipality: Boise) Bannock (largest municipality: Pocatello) Nez Perce (Largest city: Lewiston) Shoshone (Largest city: Kellogg) Valley (Largest city: McCall)
References
External links
Idaho Office of Elections
Idaho Governor Candidates at Project Vote Smart
Campaign contributions for 2010 Idaho Governor from Follow the Money
Idaho Governor 2010 from OurCampaigns.com
2010 Idaho Gubernatorial General Election graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com Election 2010: Idaho Governor from Rasmussen Reports 2010 Idaho Governor Race: Otter vs. Allred from Real Clear Politics 2010 Idaho Governor's Race from CQ Politics Race Profile in The New York Times Official campaign websites (Archived) Butch Otter for Re-election Rex Rammell for Governor Keith Allred for Governor