Rumblings from Idaho

Finally some news from the Gem State:

Idaho: The Hill reports:

Few 2006 candidates are girding for another battle as much as [Larry] Grant is right now. The Democrat is closely monitoring freshman Rep. Bill Sali’s (R) every vote in the House and is also considering a bid for Sen. Larry Craig’s (R) seat. ...

He’s also been approached by the state Democratic Party about a Senate bid, and he said he will consider it. Former Rep. Larry LaRocco (D) is also weighing a run, and Grant said he will defer to LaRocco — a bigger name with statewide experience.

But the Senate seat is much less attractive with Craig sitting in it, and while retirement rumors have circulated about members of the newly demoted Republican Caucus, Craig, at 61, is right in the middle of the Senate as far as his age.

Craig, who was reelected with 65 percent in 2002, has not yet announced whether he intends to seek reelection. He already has a primary opponent in Robert Vasquez, a county commissioner who declared for the seat in October, citing Craig’s support for allowing illegal immigrants to apply for citizenship.

State Democratic Party Chairman Richard Stallings said he thought the Senate seat could provide an opportunity for Grant, but that Grant is probably leaning toward running for the House seat again.

It is important that we challenge Republicans everywhere, and it takes the cultivation of candidates to do so. I don't know much about Mr. LaRocco, but Mr. Grant waged a tenacious campaign, so it's clear we must have solid options. Should Craig not be enjoying his surroundings in the Senate minority and opt to retire, it'll make the seat all-the-more competitive.