Precedent Can Be Overcome, If ...

I'm considering a run for Governor of Idaho in 2010. I'm doing this knowing full well there are several precedents against me.

Idaho hasn't elected a Democratic governor since 1990, and hasn't elected a Democrat over a Republican incumbent since 1970 (Cecil Andrus in both cases).

The last Idaho governor under the age of 40 was elected in 1900 (Frank W. Hunt). I'll be 37 on election day 2010.

The last Idaho governor who was elected without holding prior elective office was John T. Morrison in 1902.

There has never been an Idaho governor from Twin Falls County, even though Twin Falls is one of the state's more populous counties.

There has never been an Idaho State University alumnus/alumna elected Idaho governor.

That said, a main reason I'm running is that there simply aren't enough high-profile Democrats to even contest all the constitutional statewide offices, much less get elected to them. There's Larry LaRocco, Larry Grant, Walt Minnick, maybe Wendy Jaquet, maybe Clint Stennett. That's it. Someone else (actually, several someones) has to step up to the plate. That's what I'm doing.

But I'm not about to run a quixotic campaign; I've fulfilled my lifetime quota with that. I need to generate quite a bit of fundraising and name ID in the next 18-24 months to make this work. Right now I have $65 and change in my campaign account. If there's not at least $100,000 cash on hand in that account as of 15 July 2009, I'm dropping to a lower race.

That's the lay of the land here. Please support 2008 candidates first, but if you're thinking ahead to '10 I'd certainly appreciate your consideration.

Startin for Idaho
282 Dubois Avenue
Twin Falls, ID 83301-4611
(208) 420-5966
lane@lanestartin.org
http://www.lanestartin.org/

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