Idaho is one of four states with presidential primaries or caucuses Tuesday. Turnout could be high in the Republican primary if it’s like the others this season.
The only independent poll of likely Republican voters taken ahead of Idaho’s presidential primary shows businessman Donald Trump with a comfortable lead over Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio -- even though Trump has not campaigned in Idaho at all. The pollsters hired by Idaho Politics Weekly surveyed before Super Tuesday, which means before the Republican establishment unloaded on Trump last week.
Nampa resident Donald Sawyer got his own gauge of public sentiment while holding a hand-drawn “Vote Trump Please” sign at various intersections.
“I get a lot of thumbs up and a lot of middle fingers,” Sawyer said with a chuckle. “So I don’t know who’s going to win, but I hope it’s Trump.”
Eighteen-year-old first-time voter Eli Iske said he was undecided until attending a Marco Rubio rally in Boise on Sunday.
“The only two people I was really considering were either Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio,” Iske said. “Now it’s Marco Rubio.”
Texas Senator Cruz drew enthusiastic crowds on a weekend campaign swing thru Idaho. Ohio Governor John Kasich has not campaigned in the Northwest this year, but did get a plum endorsement from Idaho Governor Butch Otter.
Idaho Democrats are not using the presidential primary to select their nominating delegates. They will use county caucuses which are scheduled to be held on March 22.
