There has been so little attention paid to the open gubernatorial race in Idaho, it's almost easy to forget there is one. There has not been any credible polling released in the race, which simply adds to its back-bench status.
GOP Rep. Butch Otter easily secured his party's nomination, taking 70 percent in a three-way primary. Democrats nominated Jerry Brady, a businessman who was their gubernatorial nominee in 2002. He took 42 percent to 56 percent for then-Gov. Dirk Kempthorne.
As a red a state as Idaho is, it is not immune from the weak political environment for Republicans and as a member of the unpopular Republican-controlled House, Otter may be particularly susceptible to a poor climate. For his part, Brady comes into this race better known than he was in 2002 and seems to be running a better campaign.
The rating change comes not so much because the race is becoming truly competitive, but that there is a sense that the political landscape is as unsettled in Idaho as it is elsewhere. The race for Otter's open
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