2020 has certainly been a challenging and unprecedented year. At Conservation Voters for Idaho, we’ve stood alongside members of communities we serve, local partners, and our own staff and families as the nation has grappled with the devastating impacts of a global pandemic, climate change, political turmoil and racial injustice.
And despite threats of voter intimidation at the polls, the ongoing threat of coronavirus, and a volatile political environment, Idahoans mailed in their absentee ballots and took to the polls like never before.
20 of our endorsed candidates were elected to local and state offices with one of our endorsed candidates likely heading into a recount – currently leading by two votes. Voters of all political persuasions, from the capital of Boise to eastern Idaho, have overwhelmingly shown their support for these candidates who ran on the platform of protecting our clean air and water, our parks and trails, and farmland and open space.
This astounding win for conservation is because of people like you, who got involved, volunteered to get out the vote, and cast your vote to elect pro-conservation candidates.
Sen. David Nelson, D5 Senate
Rep. Steve Berch, D15 House
Sen. Grant Burgoyne, D16 Senate
Colin Nash, D16 House
Ali Rabe, D17 Senate
Rep. Ilana Rubel, D18 House
Rep. Brooke Green, D18 House
Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking, D18 Senate
Rep. Melissa Wintrow, D19 Senate
Chris Mathias, D19 House
Rep. Lauren Necochea, D19 House
Sen. Michelle Stennett, D26 Senate
Rep. Muffy Davis, D26 House
Rep. Sally Toone, D26 House
Commissioner Jacob Greenberg, Blaine D2
Commissioner Tom Lamar, Latah D2
Commissioner Cindy Riegel, Teton, D1
Mike Whitfield, Teton, D2
Commissioner Jim Hansen, Ada County Highway District, D1
Mayor Ned Burns, Bellevue Mayor
One of our endorsed candidates, Alexis Pickering for Ada County Highway District, District 2, will likely be heading into a recount. Pickering led by two votes, demonstrating just how much every vote counts.
Yesterday’s election results helped secure pro-conservation candidates in some of Idaho’s most populous counties and legislative districts. We secured a 100% pro-conservation on the Teton County Commission, elected 14 Idaho State Legislative seats, and kept some of the most extreme anti-public land advocates and climate change deniers out of the Legislature.
Our Executive Director, Rialin Flores, takes a deep dive into this year’s election results – including highlights and some losses. Read more here.