Oregon Public Broadcasting

On Tuesday, Idaho voters will narrow the field of candidates for federal and state offices.

The race getting the most attention is the Republican primary to decide who will challenge freshman Democrat Walt Minnick for his Congressional seat.  Doug Nadvornick reports.

Walt Minnick is one of a significant group of Blue Dog Democrats that have bucked the party leadership on high-profile issues. Republicans are hoping that that independent streak won't be enough to earn the Boise Democrat a second term.

But analyst David Wasserman from the Cook Political Report says, other than the D behind his name, Minnick's voting history in his first term has matched his district.

David Wasserman: "Walt Minnick hasn't spent long enough in Washington that voters are frustrated with his tenure or upset that he's gone Washington.”

Minnick is unopposed in Tuesday's Democratic primary.

Voters will choose which of two Republicans will challenge him in November: Marine reservist Vaughn Ward or state representative Raul Labrador. Ward has been the frontrunner.

On Friday, Sarah Palin campaigned for him in Boise. But Wasserman says a series of missteps by Ward's campaign has opened the door for a Labrador win.