Idaho: Republican Gov. Butch Otter is seeking a third term. If he is successful, he would be the first incumbent Governor to serve three terms since 1962. Otter may have already cleared the highest hurdle in his re-election bid by winning the primary. He faced three opponents: state Sen. Russ Fulcher and perennial candidates Harley Brown and Walt Beyes. Fulcher ran the only serious campaign, although all three participated in a debate that was entertaining enough to go viral. Fulcher ran to Otter’s right, arguing that the Governor has gone soft on conservative values. He pointed specifically to the Otter’s decision to form a state-based health care exchange rather than joining the federal Healthcare.gov exchange. Fulcher managed to hold Otter to 51 percent of the vote; he took 44 percent while Beyes and Brown split the remaining 5 percent. In the general election, Otter will face Boise School Board President A.J. Balukoff. This is a difficult state for Democrats. Republicans control all levers of government and President Obama took just 34 percent of the vote here in 2012. Otter should
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