What happened in the election and what does it mean?

For those of you who love and honor the freedoms that millions have died for and the right to vote and took advantage of that by voicing your opinion at the polls, thank you.  To the 79% of you who didn't, shame on you!

Now, on to the info.  This primary election season has brought on a lot of controversy, and brought out a lot of skeletons.  We know more about the candidates of this election than most people care to know about their own family members.  But the people have spoke, decisions have been made, and it's time to come back together as a party and get behind the nominees to ensure they are elected on November 2 to their respective offices.

Congress (Idaho CD 1)

Undoubtedly the most hotly contested and widely published race was between State Rep. Raul Labrador and Vaughn Ward for Idaho's First Congressional District seat.  The winner will face current Congressman Walt Minnick on November 2.

A quick history:

Vaughn Ward jumped into the race 15 months ago.  He had done a great job of raising money and obtaining the support of nationwide political leaders.  He was born and raised in Idaho, but left Idaho to serve in the Marines and CIA, as well as run Nevada's effort in the failed Presidential campaign of John McCain.  After Obama was elected, Vaughn returned to Idaho to run for Congress.

Raul Labrador was supporting a different candidate, Ken Roberts, the current Majority Caucus Chairman in the Idaho Legislature.  Ken experienced some health issues and backed out of the race in December of 2009.  Not more than 90 minutes past the press release of Ken's withdrawal came another announcement of candidacy, Raul Labrador.  Raul had spent the last three years in the Idaho Legislature representing Idaho's 14th Legislative District (northwest boise, eagle, star, north meridian).

Raul jumped into the race with a very late start and no money.  He found trouble raising money due to the little confidence in him being able to pull off a win with his opponent having a 9 month head start and over $100,000 ahead of him.  Raul largely funded his campaign with his own money, paying himself back as he raised funds.

During the last 6 months, a lot of information has come out about each candidate, but none more than in the last 2 weeks of the race.  Vaughn experienced set back after set back as details about his life and bad campaign decisions surfaced.

A brief list includes his wife's full time work for a bail out receiving Fannie Mae, plagiarism on his website, new plagiarism on his website, failing to pay property taxes, majority of his campaign contributions coming from DC and New York, his failure to even vote in the 2008 election despite being a campaign leader for a presidential campaign, and the final nail in the coffin, this video of Vaughn Ward and Barack Obama giving almost identical portions of the same speech.



At the time of this posting, the two versions (one short one long) of this video have received a combined 100,000+ views in the three days it has been online.  It has been seen on The Politico, The Hill, Vanity Fair, MSNBC, UK Press, Idaho Statesman, KTVB, Spokesman Review, and the list goes on.  The video even made an election night appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Though polls still showed Ward with a small lead, Raul Labrador won the night by 9% with nearly 10,000 votes more than his opponent.  As I sat in the ballroom of the Doubletree Hotel in Boise after all the results were final.  I sat in a small circle with a few close campaign volunteers and Raul himself at 2am, we sat in awe of what had just happened.  Despite being outspent 6 to 1, despite having many paid campaign staff and Raul having just volunteers, the people still came out to renew our faith in the process.  They showed that money can't buy government officials in Idaho.  Not even Sarah Palin can persuade the conservative masses in Idaho to vote for the wrong candidate.

Idaho Legislature


There was almost as much excitement in the Legislative races around the state.

Idaho House:

A couple change ups happened in the House.  In District 21 (southwest Boise, south Meridian, Kuna), John Vander Woude beat out 1st term Rep. Richard Jarvis.  Two years ago, Richard beat Vander Woude by 65 votes, but John took back his seat.  Richard was involved in the Steven Ricks mess and was likely the cause of his demise.

District 13 (Nampa), unfortunately, Christie Perry took out 1.5 term Steve Kren.  Steve was a great proven conservative.  There were some lies put out by the Perry campaign which, in my opinion, will come back to bite her at the polls in two years.

There was a scary hour as various news sources reported that 100% of District 20's precincts had reported in and current Rep. Joe Palmer and his more moderate challenger Shaun Wardle were in a dead tie each with 627 votes.  This went on for a solid hour before all of a sudden, Ada County's election website showed a huge jump in numbers as Joe Palmer won re-election with 2,400 votes while his opponent received 2,000.

Idaho Senate:

There were four incumbent senators who lost their seats to more conservative prospects.  My two favorites are Sen. Jorgenson and Sen. Schroeder, both self avowed moderate republicans.  Hopefully with these four gone, we will be able to see the continued rise in leadership of the Idaho Senates most conservative member, Russ Fulcher of District 21.

Ada County Commission


It was bittersweet, mostly bitter, as Vern Bisterfeldt won the race between himself and Fred Tillman.  Vern and his "buddy" Roger Simmons have a rocky history with the Republican Party. Vern himself is the treasurer for Senate Candidate Branden Durst.  Roger Simmons, luckily, lost to current Commissioner Rick Yzzaguire. Early in the campaign, the Ada County Republican Party voted to endorse Rick Yzzaguire and Fred Tillman in the hopes that the true Republicans would win re-election.  Fortunately, with only Bisterfeldt winning his race, he won't be able to accomplish much being only 1 out of 3 votes on the commission.  Both Yzzaguire and Ullman will be able to outvote his ridiculous plans for the county.

Final thoughts


Other than those races, pretty much everything else went according to what was expected.  All in all, the candidates elected show Idaho is tired of the liberal agenda being pushed on us. We elected those who will voice our ideas and know who they work for.

With the Idaho Legislature moving yet further to the right, I believe we will be able to continue to hold the line on taxes, curb spending, and promote the furthering of conservative ideals we believe in.

As the campaigns wind up for the general election, look to this blog for my endorsements, which may not always be the Republican candidate.  Remember, I'm always fair and bias...

...But thats just me.

Is that what I think it is?

Saturday afternoon I am driving down Eagle Rd minding my own business when all of a sudden I see something on the east side of the road near Ustick.  As I approach this object my heart starts to pound as I think "Is that what I think it is?",  "Can it be true?".  As I got closer I realized to my greatest possible joy it was, in fact, the object I thought it may be.  It was a political campaign sign.  The day has finally arrived again when campaigns are starting up!  While it is a bit early to start the sign blooming, it is an exciting time.  These are the days to start preparing, organizing, and fund raising.

It has been several years since I last was able to participate in Legislative campaigns.  I was on a mission for the last go around and was not only unable to work them, but wasn't able to do anything to help Dad in his campaign as I was on the opposite side of the country in Virginia.

Given, I have already been working a lot on several campaigns including Representative Raul Labrador's campaign for Congress, but there is just something about Idaho Legislative campaigns that really gets me excited.  Unfortunately, while the Legislature is still in session, the current legislators running for re-election can't raise money, and don't have time to do much when it comes to their campaign.  Its unfortunate because their opponents are out preparing while the legislators are stuck doing their job.

Today is supposedly the last day of the session though.  They were powering through the bills trying to get done on Friday, but didn't quite make it.  Today is the day though they hope to Sine Die.  Then the campaigns really start.

This is the most wonderful time of the year,

But thats just me...

Ty Palmer

I Hate Weekends...

There is something wrong with me.  I am 22-years-old, and I hate weekends.  I'm sure they will be all fine and dandy again once the Idaho Legislative Session is over, but while they are in session, it sucks.  I live for Idaho politics, and during weekends I have to... do other stuff.  Ugh.

At least when session is over campaigns will really get rolling so I will be distracted by that.  I am currently affiliated with some 20 campaigns in one way or another.  I have a significant roll in about five of them.  Word on the street is that Dad (Representative Joe Palmer) will have an opponent again this time around.  He/she has yet to file for candidacy, but they have all next week to do so.  I was on my mission last election so I wasn't around to screw things up.

I get a lot of crap because only one of the campaigns I've had a heavy hand in in the past has won.  But hey, I was in high school, as if I have the pull then to be an actual influence in a campaign.  Now its different though... Now I know what I am talking about a little more.  I have spent a lot of time around those who actually run campaigns and have learned a lot and look forward to seeing the fruits of my labors as ALL of the candidates I am helping win their elections.

Want to know who I support in your area and why?  Call/text/email/facebook me.

208-991-4689
Ty@TyPalmer.com
facebook.com/flyboyty

I hate weekends,

But that's just me...

Toying with the idea

So for over a year now I have been toying with the idea of starting up a blog again. I've been able to get my thoughts out pretty well via facebook and twitter. I am even on a weekly talk radio show at BSU. But with all that there are just some things that I need to say in more detail than can be given in 140 characters on twitter or 420 characters on facebook.

I currently host a live blog about what is happening at the Idaho Legislature on my website WeThePeopleOfIdaho.com, but that is an unbiased blog for simply reporting what happens. I need an outlet where I can express my opinion and receive responses from YOU!

I have been reluctant to actually sit down and start this because I am too opinionated. I work for several campaigns and know I will have to be careful what I say so as not to cast a negative light on those races. But if I can't let loose with my opinion, what would be the point of an opinion blog?

Well, here goes... lets see how it works. I'm sure much of what I write will be useless ramblings, but I will try to impart great words of wisdom on occasion with an unbiased, yet opinionated approach on occasion.

But that's just me...