Idaho Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan was confident well into election night, but in the end, a motivated liberal base wasn’t enough to overcome long odds. The Associated Press called the race in favor of Republican Lt. Gov. Brad Little just before 11:00 p.m. Tuesday night.
Jordan built up outsized hopes among her supporters. She gained national attention but ran into the hard political reality of one of the reddest states.
"I want to make sure I take a few moments to tell you from the bottom of my heart that I am grateful and I am humbled,” Jordan said during a speech to supporters at The Grove Hotel in Boise.
While the final tally of the vote wasn’t surprising, some Democrats had hopes for an upset, as Jordan vied to be both Idaho’s first Native American and first female governor.
Max Mohammadi, a Boise businessman, said Democrats need to improve their messaging.
"I would like to see more of a defined vision. This election in particular I think a lot of their messages were muted."
Supporter Nancy Chaney echoed a common sentiment among Democrats, saying win or lose, Jordan’s campaign lays the groundwork for future Democratic inroads in the state.
"I think it still sends a message that we want to change and that politics or not, we’re not going to settle in Idaho anymore, we’re ready for that change.”
Follow Heath Druzin on Twitter @HDruzin for more local news.
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