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WASHINGTON —  Idahoans are beginning to coalesce around Lt. Gov. as the consensus candidate to replace Sen. FOX News has learned, and the Idaho Statesman is reporting that Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has made Risch his choice. Craig, a Republican, pleaded guilty earlier this month to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct after being arrested in a men's restroom at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. On Tuesday, Craig denied he did anything wrong but is facing a rapidly strengthening move to force him out of office.

About Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C.L. "Butch" Otter was elected Governor of Idaho on November 7, 2006. He previously served three terms in Congress representing Idaho’s 1st District (2000-2006). Governor Otter is a father of four and grandfather of four. He is married to the former Lori Easley. They live on their ranch near Star. Governor Otter was born in Caldwell on May 3, 1942. He graduated from St. Teresa’s Academy (now Bishop Kelly High School) in Boise, attended Boise Junior College (now Boise State University), and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the...

The six-way race to win the Republican nomination in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District has turned into a full-fledged family feud, fraught with intraparty tensions and resentments.

The closest thing to excitable political talk in Idaho politics at present concerns the most mid-open race for a major office in some years - more than a decade at least. While the Republican lock on Idaho's 1st congressional district looks as solid as ever, there is no certainty about who will be the next Republican nominee in the district, with that crucial primary election little more that a year ahead. Plenty of advance work and calculations are underway, to be sure. Republican C.L. "Butch: Otter, representative here since 2001 and easily re-electable had he so chosen, seems unlikely to...

CALDWELL -- Canyon County Commissioner Robert Vasquez announced today that he is running for Congress in 2006. The Caldwell Republican vowed to do all he can to defend our nation’s borders from illegal immigrants. “How can our federal representatives strive to grant amnesty to illegal aliens, while asking our young men and women to secure a foreign border, but ignoring ours, and allowing millions of illegal aliens to enter literally at will,” Vasquez said. Vasquez stated he does not want to see Idaho become like California and Arizona. “Those who are aware of the illegal aliens overwhelming the medical and...

The link requires a subscription, but here's some of the article... “Numerous Republicans are already gearing up for the race to succeed Rep. Butch Otter (R) in [ID-01],” Roll Call reports. “Norm Semanko, executive director of the influential Idaho Water User’s Association, recently filed papers ..., while Idaho Controller Keith Johnson traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to promote his soon-to-be-announced candidacy. ... But they are hardly the only Republicans in the field. Canyon County Commissioner Robert Vasquez (R) has established an exploratory committee and former state Sen. Sheila Sorenson ... is reportedly running as well. Otter is vacating the...

3 GOP Lawmakers May Seek Governors' Seats By DAVID ESPO ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) - Less than a month into a new, two-year Congress, the line is forming among House members considering their next career moves. Republican Rep. C.L. (Butch) Otter of Idaho is all but officially running for governor of his state, and GOP Reps. Jim Nussle of Iowa and Jim Gibbons of Nevada both seem headed in the same direction in theirs. All three have filed paperwork signaling interest in running. "We will run a vigorous campaign," said one former Idaho governor, Phil Batt, leaving no doubt about...

President Bush is leading steady progress toward a more rational, realistic and responsible approach to a host of environmental and resource issues close to the hearts of all Idahoans. For three years, the Bush administration has been encouraging stewardship, engaging those who know and understand the issues best. The idea is that people most influenced by federal policies should play a larger role in developing them. The president is committed to being a partner with local folks in the best interest of people and the resources on which they depend. President Bush is working to roll back policies from eight...

NAMPA, Idaho -- Two members of Idaho's all-Republican congressional delegation say they will not support President Bush's immigration proposal.     In his State of the Union address, Bush reiterated his plan to let illegal immigrants with jobs work legally in the country temporarily.     Republican Reps. Mike Simpson and Butch Otter said Wednesday that they will not support the plan.     Sen. Mike Crapo raised concerns about the proposal earlier this month, and said he was not ready to back the plan. Idaho's remaining federal lawmaker, Sen. Larry Craig, has expressed support for Bush's plan.     "We agree with the...

Arm-Twisting and Vote-Switching on RX Drug Entitlement by David Freddoso Posted Nov 26, 2003 The final vote on the bill to create the largest new entitlement in decades was 220-215, but it was even closer than that for most of Saturday morning. Rep. Mike Pence (R.-Ind.), who spearheaded the conservative opposition to the prescription drug entitlement (H.R. 1) in the House, called his own efforts a "successful failure." Pointing out that the conservative opposition to the bill grew by six votes since June, he compared the stand by 25 principled House conservatives against the bill to the battle of the...

By Mike Keckler BOISE - Ask Treasure Valley residents what they think of the Patriot Act and you are bound to hear strong opinions. "I think it's an over reaction to a serious problem," says Steve Beane. "Its a pretty chicken way to deal with terrorism," adds Loren Pinski. Those simmering feelings recently brought the U.S. Attorney General to Boise in an attempt to shore-up support. But his pep talk was met with protests and a few weeks later, the Boise City Council approved a resolution denouncing some elements of the Act. Now, Idaho's congressional delegation is weighing in too....

<p>WASHINGTON — The strongest attack yet on the Patriot Act is coming from the American Civil Liberties Union (search), but 309 House members have now joined the ACLU in opposing part of the terror-fighting powers granted to law enforcement by Congress shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.</p>