Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador Endorses Republican Primary Challenger Against Veteran State Senator Jim Guthrie
Why It Matters
The endorsement signals a deepening intraparty divide within Idaho’s Republican Party, as one of the state’s top elected officials publicly backs a challenger against a long-serving GOP incumbent. The race in Senate District 28 highlights a broader tension between establishment Republicans and conservatives who believe some party members have strayed too far from core conservative principles.
For Idahoans in District 28, the May 19 Republican primary will determine whether a nine-term incumbent continues in the Senate or yields to a challenger backed by the state’s attorney general.
What Happened
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced his endorsement of David Worley, a Republican candidate challenging incumbent Sen. Jim Guthrie in the District 28 Senate primary. Guthrie, a Republican from McCammon, is seeking his ninth term in the Idaho Legislature after being first elected in 2010.
Labrador announced the endorsement in a press release, citing Worley’s commitment to fighting for Idaho families, supporting strong border security, and holding government accountable. “Voters are tired of politicians who campaign one way at home and govern another when they are in Boise,” Labrador stated. “David is different. He’ll bring integrity, courage, and common sense to the Senate. I encourage Republicans in District 28 to support David Worley on May 19.”
Worley is a major in the Idaho National Guard and previously ran for Senate in 2022, losing the general election to Sen. James Ruchti, a Democrat from Pocatello. He submitted responses to an Idaho Education News candidate survey; Guthrie has not responded to the survey or to multiple interview requests.
By the Numbers
- 9 — the number of terms Guthrie is seeking in the Idaho Legislature, having first been elected in 2010
- May 19 — the date of the Republican primary election in District 28
- 2022 — the year Worley previously ran for Senate, losing the general election
- $50 million — the amount of the Parental Choice Tax Credit Guthrie voted against last year
- 1 — Guthrie was the sole Senate Republican to vote against a bill last month regulating which bathrooms transgender individuals may use
The Candidates’ Positions
Worley has positioned himself as a conservative reformer. In his candidate survey response, he wrote that “too many decisions are controlled by procedure and closed-door gatekeeping” in Boise, pledging to uphold immigration law, defend Idaho family values, and restore transparency in the legislative process. On his campaign website, Worley has committed to banning the use of government resources to advance what he describes as a radical leftist agenda in public schools and has stated his belief that Christian morality is the foundation of Western civilization.
Worley also filed a religious discrimination lawsuit against leaders of the Idaho National Guard in January 2025, alleging a policy hostile to Christian commanders. U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye dismissed the case in February, writing that it was not clear to the court that such a policy existed.
Guthrie, a former Bannock County Commissioner and former school district trustee, has built a record focused on local governance and public education funding. He champions the principle that local governments know their communities best and has prioritized what his website describes as robust support for Idaho schools. He was a legislative co-sponsor of the bill that established the Idaho Launch grant program for graduating high school seniors in 2023.
Zoom Out
The Labrador endorsement adds institutional firepower to the conservative push to unseat Republicans deemed insufficiently aligned with the party’s base. Guthrie tops the Stop Idaho RINOs PAC list of Republicans who vote with Democrats, and critics have pointed to his decision as chair of the Senate State Affairs Committee not to allow hearings on several immigration bills this session.
The race reflects a national trend of primary challenges against incumbent Republicans from the right, as conservative voters and officials increasingly demand ideological consistency from elected members of their own party. Similar dynamics have played out across Mountain West states, where the Republican Party’s base has shifted sharply rightward in recent years.
What’s Next
Republican voters in District 28 will head to the polls on May 19 to decide the primary. The winner will advance as the Republican nominee. Because Idaho’s District 28 leans heavily Republican, the primary outcome is likely to determine who holds the seat. Neither Worley nor Guthrie has responded to interview requests for a full candidate profile from Idaho Education News.
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