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Simpson keeps Idaho's 2nd district in GOP hands
(AllPolitics, November 3) -- GOP state Rep. Mike Simpson claimed Idaho's 2nd congressional district seat, turning back Democrat Richard Stallings, who was trying to reclaim a seat he gave up six years ago.
The seat in the 2nd district, which takes in all of eastern Idaho and stretches into Boise, is being vacated by Republican Senate candidate Rep. Mike Crapo.
Democrats had big hopes to pick up the seat, and Stallings was considered the candidate to do it. The House veteran's congressional record was moderate, and he was personally popular. He ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Stallings left Congress in 1992 after four terms to make an unsuccessful run for the Senate. A former college professor, he has been serving as executive director of a Pocatello housing agency.
Simpson, the speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives, jumped into the race early. He faced tough primary competition from two more-conservative opponents and was targeted by term-limit advocates for refusing to sign a pledge to serve no more than three two-year terms.
Both candidates are Mormon and pro-life.
Simpson, who admitted smoking marijuana while in college, is regarded as relatively moderate and therefore had less appeal with conservative Mormons.
Critics on the right, for example, complained that he opposed a bill back in 1990 that restricted abortion. But Simpson said he voted against the 1990 measure because he thought it was unconstitutional.
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