Lori Bishop

Green also contributed to former state Sen. Jim Woodward, who is running against Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle; and Lori Bishop, who is challenging Sen. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton. All six donations went to candidates facing primary opposition, particularly from hardline conservative incumbents or challengers.

Bolstered by donations from AGC, the Larsens and Clearwater Paper, Middleton Republican Lori Bishop has $32,000 on hand, as she takes on Sen. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, a Senate Education hardliner and an ardent school choice advocate. Bishop’s early war chest includes a $25,000 to her campaign. Nichols has reported $2,000 in donations, including $1,000 from Freedom Foundation board member Doyle Beck.

IACI is looking to unseat two other Senate hardliners, endorsing Lori Bishop over Senate Education member Tammy Nichols of Middleton and Alex Caval, who is challenging Glenneda Zuiderveld of Twin Falls. Freedom PAC is endorsing Brandon Shippy, who is opposing Sen. Abby Lee of Fruitland; and Rob Beiswenger, who is challenging Rep. Matt Bundy of Mountain Home, one of two teachers serving in the Legislature.

Idaho Republican Party leaders have worked to purge the party of those who do not share their fanatical, revisionist views, writes the executive board.

State superintendent Debbie Critchfield accomplished one of her top priorities this legislative session: compensating school districts for a shift back to attendance-based funding. But she fell short on two other goals — efforts to modernize the state’s archaic funding formula.

Idaho needs more people like Lori Bishop to step up and run for office. Bishop, a fifth-generation Idahoan from a small town and a lifelong Republican, would be a thoughtful, sensible legislator.