Idaho
‘Every vote matters:’ Winner of Idaho’s closest legislative primary election won by 4 votes • Idaho Capital Sun
After winning the closest Idaho legislative primary election in years, Ben Fuhriman won’t let anyone tell him their vote doesn’t matter.
Following a free recount last month, Fuhriman was certified the winner of his primary election by four votes. Fuhriman is a Republican from the eastern Idaho town of Shelley. He defeated incumbent Rep. Julianne Young, R-Blackfoot, in the Republican primary election for Idaho House Seat B in Legislative District 30.
“The underlying story is that here in Idaho we tend to think our votes don’t matter because we are such a red state, and we get complacent with voting, especially at the national level,” Fuhriman said in a phone interview. “But we forget how important local elections are.”
Young could not be reached for comment.
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Idaho legislative primary election result was so close it qualified for a free recount
Initial, unofficial election night results posted by the state late on the night of the May 21 primary election showed that Furhiman defeated Young by 10 votes.
But when the county clerks conducted their normal review of election results, they discovered a discrepancy of eight votes in Butte County that dropped Fuhriman’s victory down to two votes, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. The Idaho Secretary of State’s Office said there was a discrepancy of eight votes when the data was entered into the state’s reporting system.
That two-vote margin was so close that it qualified for a free recount.
In an email message to her supporters on May 22, Young announced she would request a paid recount of the results because of how close the outcome was. But when the margin of victory dropped from 10 votes down to two, it meant the recount was free and Young didn’t have to pay. Under Idaho law, a losing candidate may request a free recount of the votes if the difference in votes between the candidates is within 0.1%, or five votes.
Young issued a news release on June 5 announcing that she was formally requesting a recount.
“We observed significant variations in the vote count during the election, with my opponent’s lead fluctuating from 10 votes to a two-vote margin days after the election,” Young wrote. “Such variations raise concerns about the accuracy of the current vote count. The voters of Idaho deserve to have full confidence in the accuracy and security of their elections. By requesting this recount, we are putting to rest any questions regarding the outcome of this election. This due diligence in regard to elections is consistent with the Republican values we all cherish.”
Fuhriman said he and Young have not spoken since the recount, which ran June 20 and June 21.
How did the primary election recount in Idaho work?
Legislative District 30 includes Butte and Bingham counties. The recount took place June 20 in Butte County and June 21 in Bingham County, Fuhriman said.
Both candidates and an assistant were allowed to be present and observe the recount in both counties. Representatives from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office and Idaho Secretary of State’s Office were also there, Fuhriman said.
Before the recount began in Butte County, Fuhriman said the ballots were brought in in a locked box that had been in the custody of the county sheriff.
“You could feel confident that nobody had messed with the ballots,” Fuhriman said.
Butte County counts ballots by hand. For the recount, elections officials and witnesses went through the ballots and again counted by hand, Fuhriman said. During the recount, one election official read the name of the candidate who received a vote on each ballot, while another election official watched the count to make sure the correct candidate’s name was called, Fuhriman said. Meanwhile, two other elections officials each record the count. The candidates and their assistants were allowed to watch the counts and keep their own tallies too, Fuhriman said.
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During the recount, Young received one fewer vote and Fuhriman received one more vote, bringing the difference to four votes.
In Bingham County, ballots are scanned and counted by machine. During the June 21 recount in Bingham County, officials conducted a small hand recount to test the machines and then scanned all of the ballots. The recount produced the exact same total as on the night of the primary election in Bingham County, Fuhriman and Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane told the Sun.
As a result, final results from the recount showed Fuhriman won 3,764 to 3,760.
Going through a razor-thin election and recount gave Fuhriman an unusually close view of election policies and procedures, he said.
“We have very secure elections; we have very good processes,” Fuhriman said. “With over 7,000 ballots in Bingham County, the recount produced the same results. That goes to show we are doing something right. People should feel comfortable and confident in Idaho elections. The process is fair, it’s secure and it’s safe.”
McGrane also said the recount demonstrates the safeguards built into Idaho elections. He said every step in the process worked as expected, from the routine county review of election results, to the recount. McGrane also said the election is an example of why the election results posted online on the night of the election are considered unofficial. Election results don’t become official in Idaho until after the county review and the results are certified by the State Board of Canvassers, which occurred June 5.
“The recount really put an exclamation point on the processes we put in place,” McGrane said. “It should give people confidence as we head into the November election, knowing we have gone through these audits and recounts, and it is a testament to the county clerks clear across the state.”
Have there been other close races and recounts in Idaho?
McGrane said in a July 2 interview that recounts are common in Idaho, even in legislative races. In smaller local municipal races, the outcomes are so close that there are recounts every year, McGrane added.
Here are just some of the close legislative races in recent memory.
- In the 2018 general election, a recount found that former Sen. Fred Martin defeated Democratic challenger Jim Bratnober by 11 votes in the District 15 Idaho Senate race, the Associated Press reported. Initially, election results showed Martin beating Bratnober by six votes.
- In the 2010 general election, current Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth defeated current Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking by seven votes in the District 18 Idaho House Seat A race, according to online state election results.
- In the 2004 Republican primary election for District 33 Idaho House Seat B race, former Rep. Russ Mathews incumbent Rep. Lee Gagnier by six votes, according to online state election results.
In the 1998 Republican primary election for District 14 Idaho House Seat A, current Speaker of the Idaho House Mike Moyle, R-Star, defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Dave Bivens by 14 votes in the year Moyle was first elected to the Idaho Legislature, online election records show.
Idaho
Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon
There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.
Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.
Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.
Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.
Idaho Costcos
Where to find Costcos in Idaho.
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!
Look at those chicken tenders:
Costco Foodcourt’s New Item
It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts
Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?
Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM
Idaho
This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist
You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people. The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams. Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.” One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school. His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus. Some of our early leaders were devout Christians. Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service. They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.
They Mock Good People of Other Faiths
I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention. Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke. She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!” Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people? Or would God prefer a gentler approach? For instance, you could pray for conversions.
Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?
Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument. “We’re all going to be judged,” she said. What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?
The Pot Calling the Kettle Black
A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates. A group of liberal women demonstrated outside. I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational. They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event. If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered. Let me add a caveat. Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple. I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people. Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.
Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists. Do we need to draw them some pictures?
Brad Little Through The Years
Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller
Idaho
Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho
KUNA — A sister-duo is filling baskets with blankets, snacks and handwritten notes to spread some extra love to moms spending Mother’s Day in the hospital with their newborns.
The effort is led by “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” a nonprofit co-founded by sisters Tiffany and Alyssa Higbee. The organization was born from Alyssa’s own experience spending months in the NICU with her firstborn.
Alyssa’s son was initially in the NICU for about two weeks, then was put back in for about 3.5 months. During that time, several holidays passed, making it especially hard as a first-time mom.
“There was people in companies who would bring us stuff and try and cheer up your day, and it really helped, and so when my son was about 6 months old, we decided that it would be best to try and help moms in the NICU somehow,” Alyssa Higbee said.
That inspiration led the sisters to create Mother’s Day gift baskets filled with items to bring comfort and encouragement to moms facing the same journey.
WATCH: Learn more about “Helping Hands for NICU Moms”
Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho
The sisters have a 12-year age gap. Tiffany was fresh out of high school when they started the nonprofit in 2023, which meant she had more time to dedicate to the project. Alyssa noted that because of the age gap, they didn’t get to spend a lot of time together growing up, so the project has brought them closer.
“Hopefully, this can bring some hope that you can get out of it … that NICU period, that scary initial phase, it does get easier,” Alyssa Higbee said.
ALSO READ | Fragile beginnings to bright futures: NICU ‘Wall of Hope’ inspires families with stories of strength
Alyssa’s son, who was born in the NICU at St. Luke’s in Twin Falls, is now 3-years-old and healthy. Tiffany said watching her nephew go through the NICU was hard, but seeing him now — jumping, tackling her, and doing everything a little boy does — makes the work even more meaningful.
“It’s cool to see the difference because I know that some kids don’t make it to where he is when they’re in the NICU, and it’s just cool to see that he did,” Tiffany Higbee said.
This year’s baskets are packed with items donated by nearly 25 local companies — up from just 5 donors in the first year. The baskets include soaps from Wild Highland Soaps, claw clips, bibs, hair bows, chapsticks, socks, lotions, hand sanitizers, coloring books, colored pencils, snacks, minky blankets, and stuffed puppies from Scheels.
Gift cards and coupons are also included from Dutch Bros, Flying M Coffee, a pizza company, Wendy’s (free meal coupons for breakfast and lunch), Albertsons, and a $10 coupon to a baby store.
Tiffany started collecting donations for this year’s baskets as early as November of last year, spending a few hours every week for the past 6 to 8 months to prepare — reaching out to companies, picking up donations, and organizing everything.
The assembly process includes last-minute tasks like ironing vinyl onto bags, opening boxes, and putting together gift card envelopes before the full baskets are assembled and delivered.
“We start putting the bags together, making sure we have everything in there, and then we deliver them on Mother’s Day,” Alyssa Higbee said.
The baskets are delivered before noon on Mother’s Day to avoid missing moms who may be discharged after doctors do their rounds. Currently, the organization delivers to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in downtown Boise.
Tiffany said delivering the baskets is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.
“I love seeing the moms sometimes we get to watch them come out with their baskets, and they’ll be going through it, and they look really excited and happy,” Tiffany Higbee said.
“Seeing how happy they are or knowing how I cheered them up a little bit for their Mother’s Day because it’s a big holiday, it’s their first with that baby at least,” Tiffany Higbee said.
The first year, the project was funded mostly out of their own pockets. Three years later, as an official nonprofit, they said they no longer have to rely heavily on their own funds thanks to their new partnerships.
The organization accepts both monetary donations via Venmo and their website, as well as in-kind donations of physical items like soaps, claw clips, and other basket items — year-round.
The organization’s future goal is to expand to all the different NICUs in the area, and potentially the PICUs (Pediatric Intensive Care Units) as well, since that was also part of Alyssa’s experience.
To learn how you can donate or get involved with “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” you can visit their website by clicking here.
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