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In a recent interview on Newstalk 107.9, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador and Representative Barb Ehardt joined hosts Neal Larson and Julie Mason to discuss the current election cycle and their collaborative work on high-profile state legislation. Labrador used the appearance to officially endorse Ehardt for re-election, citing her consistency and principled approach to governance in East Idaho.

Labrador emphasized the importance of the primary races, stating that he supports candidates like Ehardt and Julianne Young because they maintain their campaign promises once in office. The Attorney General noted that he respects Ehardt’s refusal to yield to pressure from special interest groups. “The reason I like especially Barb and Julianne is because I have known them as legislators. I have seen what they have done. They have kept their word to their constituents,” Labrador said.

The conversation highlighted the “Fairness in Women’s Sports” Act, which Ehardt sponsored and Labrador’s office is currently defending. Ehardt, a former Division I athlete and coach, spoke about the personal significance of the bill and her experience visiting the U.S. Supreme Court during the legal process. Labrador praised Ehardt’s courage, noting that Idaho was the first state in the nation to pass such a law, despite significant pressure and threats of boycotts from the NCAA and various corporate entities at the time of its passage.

Addressing criticisms regarding “cultural issues,” Labrador and Ehardt argued that their legislative focus on bathrooms, library materials, and sports is a defensive posture. Labrador stated that his office is committed to defending these laws aggressively, even if it requires taking cases to the U.S. Supreme Court. He also addressed recent controversies regarding the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) budget, clarifying that Ehardt had voted in favor of the Attorney General’s budget multiple times, contrary to claims from political opponents.

The interview concluded with a promotion for a campaign event for Ehardt held at Club Apple in Idaho Falls, featuring Labrador as a guest speaker. Labrador is also scheduled to attend events in Shelley and Pocatello to support candidates Julianne Young and David Worley.

Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane appeared on Newstalk 107.9 to discuss the upcoming May 19 primary election, addressing concerns regarding his recent endorsements of incumbent candidates. In a conversation with hosts Neal Larson and Julie Mason, McGrane defended his decision to weigh in on specific races despite his role as the state’s chief elections officer.

During the interview, Larson questioned the “optics” of the Secretary of State endorsing candidates, suggesting it was similar to a sports referee attending a team rally before a game. McGrane acknowledged the concern but emphasized that his position is an elected, partisan office. He stated that he maintains “radical transparency” about his political views while ensuring the technical process of the election remains impartial. McGrane noted that the Idaho Constitution requires him to balance his role as an elected Republican with his duties as a neutral administrator.

The discussion also touched on the rising costs of legislative races in Idaho. McGrane observed that while some statewide seats are uncontested, money is becoming heavily concentrated in specific, high-intensity districts. He noted that several legislative races have reached six-figure spending levels, driven by national PACs and Idaho’s population growth. “Idaho is a cheap date compared to a number of other states,” McGrane said, explaining why outside money is increasingly flowing into local contests. He called for updates to Idaho’s campaign finance laws, which have not seen a major overhaul since 1974.

Addressing the issue of “crossover voting,” where voters switch party affiliation to influence a primary, McGrane suggested the actual impact might be less than public perception suggests. He pointed out that the mid-March deadline for changing party affiliation prevents last-minute shifts based on the final candidate field. According to McGrane, data tracked by his office shows that Republican registration remains consistent with the state’s voting patterns in general elections.

McGrane concluded the interview by confirming that election preparations are on track across Idaho’s 44 counties. He encouraged citizens to visit the state’s official voting website to verify their information before heading to the polls.