Idaho Democratic chair says interest in Harris-Walz presidential ticket is energizing party

BOISE (Idaho Capital Sun) — Even in deep red Idaho, Democrats are gaining enthusiasm about Vice President Kamala Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, said Rep. Lauren Necochea, who serves as chairwoman of the Idaho Democratic Party and assistant minority leader in the Idaho House of Representatives.

In an interview Tuesday, Necochea, D-Boise, said Walz’s experience will resonate with many voters who are alienated by divisive politics.

“I’m sensing a lot of enthusiasm about Gov. Walz,” Necochea said. “He is a fantastic pick who has deep experience in public service, from attaining the rank of command sergeant major in the Army National Guard to teaching high school and coaching football and serving six terms in Congress before becoming governor of Minnesota. I think voters are responding to his authenticity, and that appeals to voters on both sides of the aisle.”

Necochea is serving as one of Idaho’s delegates to the upcoming Democratic National Convention that begins Aug. 19 in Chicago. 

Efforts to reach Idaho Republican Party Chairwoman Dorothy Moon on Tuesday were unsuccessful. 

On July 15, former President Donald Trump announced U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, as his running mate. Vance is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who attained the rank of corporal, a graduate of Yale Law School and the author of the memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.”

Idaho Democrats see uptick in donations, volunteers since Harris emerged as Dems’ nominee

Necochea said momentum has been building since President Joe Biden announced July 21 he would not continue to seek re-election and it became clear that Harris would become the nominee.

Necochea said there is angst in Idaho and across the country about abortion rights and access to women’s health care and that Harris is a strong candidate who offers a stark contrast to Trump and Vance. 

Necochea said the enthusiasm she sees around the Harris-Walz ticket reminds her a little bit of the energy in 2008 before former President Barack Obama was elected. 

“We’re facing a similar historic moment now, on the brink of electing the first female president,” Necochea said. “The enthusiasm nationally is well documented by Vice President Harris’s record-breaking fundraising over these past weeks.”
Necochea isn’t alone in noticing an increase in Democratic enthusiasm. 

In recent weeks, interest and enthusiasm for the presidential election has increased significantly, particularly among Democrats, said Boise State University political scientist Jaclyn Kettler.

“It is amazing how much has changed in the last few weeks,” Kettler told the Idaho Capital Sun in a phone interview Tuesday. “A lot of polls are still suggesting Trump still has the lead, particularly in some swing states that will be important for Harris or Trump to win the election. But the renewed energy and enthusiasm among Democrats is where there has been a major shift.”

“Idaho as a state is going to vote for Trump; that’s not really in question,” Kettler continued. “But some Democrats were getting concerned with down ballot races. When Biden was running for reelection there was concern some Democrats wouldn’t turn out to vote or maybe they wouldn’t pick up swing voters that may really matter in Congress or at the local level. Here in Idaho, in places like Ada County, having a larger turnout will be key for seeing competitive races perhaps at the local or legislative level.”

While vice president is an important position that is next in line for the presidency, Kettler said political scientists are divided over the actual impact a vice presidential candidate can make. 

“Scientific research is mixed on how much impact a vice presidential nominee has in terms of things like helping win additional states that maybe a presidential candidate wouldn’t win otherwise. There are just a lot of mixed findings in terms of how much impact vice presidential nominees have, but that doesn’t mean it is not an important decision.”