Foley scandal could affect state elections

POCATELLO, Idaho – The congressional page sex scandal going on in Washington, D.C., could have ramifications in Idaho elections next month, particularly for Idaho’s 1st Congressional District seat, a political science professor at Idaho State University says.

“I think a lot of the fundamental Christians that were pulled into the elections two years ago might say, ‘I’m not going to vote at all,’ ” said Doug Nilson. “They might end up thinking, ‘I should go to church and pray – this politics is a dirty business.’ “

Republican Bill Sali and Democrat Larry Grant are vying for Idaho’s 1st Congressional District seat.

“If Democrats are madder than hell and come out in higher than expected numbers, there’s a decent chance that race could go D,” Nilson said. “This could put Grant out in front.”

The page scandal threatens Republicans’ congressional control just a month before the elections. Florida Republican Congressman Mark Foley resigned Sept. 29 after revelations of his sexually explicit Internet messages surfaced.

Eastern Idaho is one of the country’s most-Republican strongholds in presidential elections and in the last several years has consistently voted Republican in statewide races. Populous Bonneville County has not elected a Democrat to the Idaho Legislature since 1978.

In the 2004 presidential election, President Bush won more than 80 percent of the vote in several eastern Idaho counties, with Franklin County at 89.6 percent and Madison County at 91.9 percent, the highest in the state.

Democratic leaders in Idaho are using the Foley scandal to their advantage.

“This is where the Republican culture of corruption has led us,” said Richard Stallings, chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party. “The only way to change Congress now is to replace the people who are serving. We need vigorous new blood – honorable men and women to save this country from the quagmire Congress has become.”

But Republicans in Idaho said the Foley scandal doesn’t have much to do with the state.

“I think there’s a real disconnect between national politics and local politics here in Idaho,” said Steve Brown, chair of the Bannock County Republican Party. “People think politicians are corrupt, but not mine, and it’s like that everywhere.”