In his letter describing why he's co-chairing Keith Allred's Democratic gubernatorial campaign, former GOP state Sen. Laird Noh writes, "I am a Republican rancher with nothing bad to say about Butch Otter." Citing his longtime Republican credentials, he asks, "Why would a person like me be supporting Keith Allred?"

His answer has to do with the work Noh has done with Allred at The Common Interest, a citizen advocacy group the two founded together in Idaho; Noh was a founding board member. "It is not often enough that we find someone of such uncommon ability, objectivity and energy who is willing to devote their scarce hours in this land to political public service and leadership," Noh writes of Allred. "I believe that once you become acquainted with Keith, regardless of partisan affiliation or the lack thereof, you, too, will not want to let this opportunity slip away." He adds, "These are not ordinary times for Idaho or the nation. We must come together." You can read Noh's full letter here.

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