2010 Idaho gubernatorial election

The 2010 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 to elect the Governor of Idaho. Incumbent Republican Governor Butch Otter won re-election, defeating his Democratic opponent Keith G. Allred.

A former Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Representative, Otter won an open seat race in 2006 against Democratic Party nominee Jerry Brady with 52.67% of the vote.

Candidates

 * Walt Bayes, perennial candidate
 * Fred Nichols
 * Butch Otter, Governor of Idaho
 * Pete Peterson (endorsed independent candidate Jana Kemp, but still filed for the primary )
 * Rex Rammell, veterinarian, conservative activist and independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2008
 * Sharon Ullman, Ada County Commissioner
 * Tamara Wells

Campaign
Both Rammell and Ullman sought support from followers of the Tea Party movement by criticizing Otter's 2009 attempt to raise Idaho's gas tax.

In August 2009, Rammell drew criticism for joking about buying a license to hunt President Barack Obama.

Declared

 * Keith G. Allred, activist and mediator
 * Lee Chaney, laborer

Declined

 * Jerry Brady, nominee for governor in 2002 and 2006

Libertarian Party

 * Ted Dunlap

Independents

 * Jana Kemp, former Republican State Representative
 * Pro-Life (formerly known as Marvin Richardson), organic strawberry farmer, Constitution Party nominee for governor in 2006 and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2008

Campaign
Between January 1 and May 9, 2010, Allred led Otter in fundraising, having raised $241,000 to Otter's $193,000. Allred said, "We are picking up momentum and are right where we want to be." However, Otter limited his fundraising activity while the Idaho Legislature was in session.

Allred has criticized Otter for backing cuts to public education spending, which led the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry to launch a website attacking Allred.

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

 * Ada (largest municipality: Boise)
 * Bannock (largest municipality: Pocatello)
 * Nez Perce (Largest city: Lewiston)
 * Shoshone (Largest city: Kellogg)
 * Valley (Largest city: McCall)