Keeping an eye on a GOP incumbent in Idaho’s 2nd District primary
Polls close in part of Idaho in about a half an hour, but the only race we're really watching there is the GOP primary in the 2nd Congressional District. Republican Rep. Mike Simpson has represented the solidly red seat since first winning it in 1998, and he seems more likely than not to claim a 14th term in Congress this year. However, Simpson's relatively centrist brand has previously caused him trouble, like in 2022 when he only won 55 percent against a well-funded primary challenger.
![PHOTO: Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, questions Education Secretary Miguel Cardona during the hearing on the "FY2024 Request for the United States Department of Education," in Rayburn Building on April 18, 2023.](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/e7b5ef39-d85a-4bf7-ab41-4445116652f8/mike-simpson-gty-lv-240520_1716235941736_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg)
Now, Simpson doesn't have the same scale of opposition this time around: His main competitor is Scott Cleveland, an Ada County (Boise) GOP central committee member running to Simpson's right who's only raised $100,000. Still, we're keeping an eye on Simpson's vote share because some establishment Republicans this cycle have had weak primary performances against more right-wing challengers, like Arkansas Rep. Steve Womack and Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales (who still has to face his challenger again in a May 28 runoff).
—Geoffrey Skelley, 538