During my active years of seeking office, various parts of rural Latah County were pivotal to my campaigns. For instance, I occasionally recorded victories in Troy and Kendrick, managed to win once in Potlatch, and consistently dominated in Bovill. However, a noticeable shift has occurred in recent years as rural Latah County has veered significantly to the political right. In the latest election, it became evident that Trump won every precinct in this area, a clear sign of the drastic political climate change. Moreover, Republican Sen. Dan Foreman, hailing from Viola, also secured a win in every precinct throughout rural Latah County. Adding to this trend, Jason Stooks, the Republican candidate for county commissioner, emerged victorious across all precincts in the region.
Adding these numbers to the consolidated majority of conservative votes from Lewis and Nez Perce counties presents a monumental challenge for progressive voters in Moscow, forcing them to adapt their strategies to counter this growing conservative tide.
In the statistics from rural Latah County, Trump achieved 4,765 votes compared to 1,502 for his opponent, resulting in a decisive margin of 3,263 votes. To secure a victory for Kamala Harris in Latah County, the progressive electorate in Moscow needed to rally and surpass a plurality of over 3,263 votes. Ultimately, Moscow did elect Harris, but by a margin of only 1,643 votes, which fell short of the necessary threshold. It is historically uncommon for Latah County not to back the Democratic presidential candidate, yet the overwhelming votes from rural areas outweighed the Moscow support in this instance. Remarkably, only Blaine and Teton counties selected Harris in this election.
In rural Latah County, Foreman achieved his victory with 4,270 votes against 2,115 for his opponent, creating a compelling margin of 2,155. Meanwhile, in Moscow, Democrat Julia Parker emerged victorious, garnering 8,517 votes over Foreman’s 5,446, ultimately winning by 3,071 votes. This leads to a net win for Parker by only 916 in Latah County. However, incorporating results from nearby Lewis and Nez Perce counties shifts the outcome decisively in favor of Foreman, who received a total of 5,131 votes from these counties, compared to Parker’s 2,354. The resulting difference of 2,777 effectively negates Parker’s lead of 921. In this complex electoral landscape, Foreman may have lost in Latah County but successfully triumphed in District 6.
I confess to being a bit of a nerd who finds these numbers revealing. Clearly, our newly drawn legislative district poses significant hurdles for Democrats. Nevertheless, I firmly believe they possess the energy and the determination needed to navigate these challenges and introduce a modicum of diversity into state politics. They must remain steadfast in their principles, engage in open discussions regarding critical issues, and identify innovative approaches to connect with potential voters across the district.
Moscow, often regarded as the progressive enclave of District 6, will undoubtedly build upon its strengths as they collectively anticipate the elections of 2026.
Ringo, of Moscow, is a former mathematics teacher and a seven-term Democratic member of the Idaho House.
**Interview with Political Analyst, Sarah Thompson**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Sarah. Let’s dive into the recent political shifts in Latah County. You’ve been closely monitoring the elections. What are your initial thoughts on the results from rural Latah County, particularly the strong support for Trump and other Republican candidates?
**Sarah Thompson:** Thank you for having me. The results from rural Latah County are indeed striking. The support for Trump, Sen. Dan Foreman, and Jason Stooks shows a clear and decisive lean toward Republican candidates. It highlights a significant turning point in an area that previously had a more diverse political landscape.
**Editor:** You mentioned a turning point. In your opinion, what factors have contributed to this shift to the political right in an area that historically leaned moderate?
**Sarah Thompson:** Several factors are at play here. Economic concerns, national trends, and a desire for change from longstanding political narratives might be influencing voters in these rural areas. Additionally, the national Republican messaging seems to resonate more strongly now, especially against the backdrop of issues that matter to these communities, such as agriculture, local governance, and economic stability.
**Editor:** With the overwhelming support for Republicans in rural Latah County, how do you see progressive voters in Moscow adapting their strategies going forward?
**Sarah Thompson:** Progressives will need to recalibrate their approaches significantly. Engaging with rural voters, understanding their concerns, and perhaps addressing some of the economic challenges they face will be crucial. Building coalitions and fostering discussions that bridge the rural-urban divide could help them gain traction in future elections.
**Editor:** It’s noteworthy that Moscow was able to elect Kamala Harris but by a smaller margin than needed to counter the rural vote. What does this indicate about the current electoral dynamics in Idaho?
**Sarah Thompson:** It illustrates the complexities of Idaho’s political landscape. While urban areas like Moscow have progressive leanings, the sheer number of votes cast in rural counties can easily overshadow them. This situation emphasizes the need for progressive candidates to not only rally their base but also reach out beyond city limits to engage with rural constituents.
**Editor:** what does the outcome in Latah County signal for future elections in the state and potentially nationally?
**Sarah Thompson:** This outcome could reflect broader national trends, particularly as rural and suburban areas continue to shift politically. If this trend persists, we may see increased polarization in upcoming elections, making it critical for candidates on both sides of the aisle to address diverse voter needs. For progressives, it underscores the necessity of building a broader coalition that extends beyond urban centers.
**Editor:** Thank you, Sarah, for those insights. It’s clear that the political landscape in Latah County is evolving, and how it will influence future elections remains to be seen. We appreciate your expertise.
**Sarah Thompson:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important conversation, and I look forward to seeing how these dynamics play out in the future.
