The historic results of the mayoral race in Boise on Tuesday brings attention to the role money plays in local political campaigns.
Conservation Voters for Idaho is a political action committee that advocates for policies and candidates that prioritize the environment.
CVI’s Executive Director Courtney Washburn explained on Idaho Matters Thursday why she believes conservation issues are so important in Idaho, especially now.
“I’m experiencing traffic for the first time; I’m concerned about the decline in air quality,” she said. “I’m concerned about all the people moving here and not managing the resources.”
Several different interest groups and PACs put their money and endorsements towards candidates this election. In the Boise Mayoral race, CVI backed Lauren McLean, Bright Future Boise backed Mayor Dave Bieter, and the local realtors PAC backed Rebecca Arnold.
“A group like realtors tend to more involved historically in local elections,” Jaclyn Kettler, a campaign finance specialist and professor at Boise State University said, “But it is interesting to see more issue groups like Conservation Voters for Idaho or Planned Parenthood become increasingly involved.”
CVI endorsed and financially supported 14 candidates across the state in Tuesday’s election, ten of whom won. Boise Mayoral candidate McLean received around $130,000 from the group. She won 46% of the vote and will face incumbent Dave Bieter in a runoff election next month.
Editor's note: This article and audio story originally gave an incorrect amount of the amount of money the Conservation Voters for Idaho donated to the Lauren McLean campaign. The text and audio has been corrected.
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