She wins more than
60 percent of the primary vote; her task is now convincing Republicans
in one of the most conservative states. Jordan is the first woman
to ever win a party's gubernatorial nomination in Idaho.
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Paulette
Jordan won a convincing primary victory in her bid to be the
next governor of Idaho. She convinced more than 60 percent
of Democratic voters that her progressive message would work
in November.
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Paulette Jordan won a convincing primary victory in her bid
to be the next governor of Idaho. She convinced more than 60 percent
of Democratic voters that her progressive message would work in
November.
"I am so moved by the strength and determination of our Idaho
voters today. Their voices were heard loud and clear our
vision for a more prosperous future lies with the progressive values
embodied by this campaign," Jordan said in a telephone call to Indian
Country Today. "Our communities have spoken., and now we must unite
as never before to move onward together."
Jordan said she is "honored by the widespread support received
from my relatives throughout Indian Country."
"This is a huge step for us and I'm excited to be on this journey
with all of you. This is a great indicator of where we as indigenous
progressive leaders in rural states can help lead our communities,"
Jordan said.
Already some dismiss Jordan's chances going forward. The New
York Times described the race this way: "In a state that Donald
J. Trump won by more than 30 percentage points and has not elected
a Democratic governor since 1990, the Republican primary on Tuesday
is almost certainly where Mr. Otter's successor will be chosen."
When asked how she will convince voters in a state that is overwhelmingly
Republican, Jordan laughed, and said, "we're about to find out."
Then again Idaho is a state that did once elect Democrats. Former
Interior Secretary Cecil Andrus won the governor's office four times,
the last time in 1990.
The formula? "Connectivity," Jordan said. "It's about connections
to the land and people."
Jordan also is already bringing new voters into the process,
young people. A tweet
Tuesday before the vote captured that very idea. "Today I became
a #firsttimevoter
and my first vote ever went to the one and only @PauletteEJordan,"
wrote Taylor Munson.
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Today
I became a #firsttimevoter and my first vote ever went to
the one and only @PauletteEJordan
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The turnout in the Democratic Primary was remarkably high. The
Idaho Statesman reported in the state's largest county, Ada, officials
scrambled to supply enough ballots. "I am super curious to see what
actual turnout was for the Democratic Party, because we were certainly
overwhelmed by it today," Ada Chief Deputy Clerk Phil McGrane told
The Statesman.
In addition to Jordan's messages about her rural values, her
outreach to younger voters could also be the key to reversing the
Republican hold on Idaho.
Jordan defeated a well-funded candidate, A.J. Balukoff who used
his own personal wealth to fund his campaign. She also defeated
the Democrats establishment, most of the elected party officials
endorsed Balukoff (who had been the party's nominee four years ago).
Balukoff was gracious in his defeat. He said he would work hard
to elect Democrats.
So that's another first. Jordan easily erased a substantial
gap in campaign funding.
This is history. Jordan is the first woman to ever win a party's
gubernatorial nomination in Idaho.
She also made history because Kristen Collum is her running
mate. It's the first time two women have run together to lead Idaho.
See previous coverage: Making
news, making history, and breaking rules. Idaho's Paulette Jordan
announces an all-female ticket
Then this is going to be an election of firsts and making history.
Jordan, Coeur d'Alene, is now the first Native American woman to
ever be a major party's nominee for governor. Get used the phrase
"first ever" is going to pop up a lot between now and November.
On Facebook, Seahdom
Edmo posted: "I am watching this with my daughter. I said, 'look
she is a Native woman running for Governor, do you want to be Governor?'
She said, 'no, I want to be President.' Paulette, you are inspiring
all of us!"
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