Idaho Democrat says GOP businessman should switch parties

A state Democratic lawmaker says a Republican Boise business should switch political parties to run as Idaho’s minority party gubernatorial candidate.

Democratic Rep. Phylis King of Boise released a letter Friday saying that Ahlquist is an ideal candidate because he previously donated to failed Democratic gubernatorial candidate A.J. Balukoff in 2014 and refused to vote for Republican President Donald Trump.

Shelby Scott, a spokeswoman for the Idaho Democratic Party, says that King’s letter does not speak on behalf of the entire party. Furthermore, Scott says the party’s strategy for the 2018 election does not include wooing Republicans to run as Democrats.

Ahlquist has not yet committed to running for governor, but has confirmed he is considering doing so and is expected to make a decision soon.

Ahlquist’s spokesman described King’s letter as “clear desperation” from the political establishment.