Idaho governor declines debates ahead of Republican primary

By KEITH RIDLER
Associated Press

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little says he won’t participate in debates heading into next month’s Republican primary. Little’s campaign in a news release Friday says the governor’s accomplishments in his first term “are non-debatable.” Little has drawn several Republican challengers, including far-right Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin. The governor and lieutenant governor in Idaho run on separate tickets. Also on Friday, state Rep. Priscilla Giddings backed out of a debate for lieutenant governor planned for Monday. She says she believed reporters on a panel asking questions would be biased. Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson has also declined to participate in statewide televised primary debates.