Lori Hickman announced on Thursday that two former Republican attorneys general of Idaho have endorsed her campaign to unseat incumbent Attorney General Raúl Labrador.
The endorsements mark a significant shift in a race where Democrats have struggled to win statewide office for more than two decades. Voters last elected a Democrat to a statewide position in 2002, and the state has not seen a Democratic attorney general since Larry Echohawk served in 1995.
Why It Matters
The support from high-profile former Republican officials challenges Labrador’s standing within his own party. For Hickman, the endorsements provide credibility among conservative voters who may otherwise be skeptical of a Democratic candidate in Idaho’s heavily Republican political landscape.
Hickman stated that she wishes the race were nonpartisan and is running as a Democrat solely because her opponent is a Republican. She emphasized her desire to restore traditional legal standards regardless of political affiliation.
What Happened
Hickman revealed the endorsements at a news conference outside the old Ada County Courthouse in Boise. Former attorneys general Lawrence Wasden and Jim Jones joined her, along with dozens of former lawyers who previously worked in the attorney general’s office.
Wasden served as Idaho’s attorney general for 20 years before losing the Republican primary to Labrador in 2023. Jim Jones also served as a state Supreme Court justice during his tenure in public service.
Hickman highlighted her two decades of legal experience, including work at Micron and service as board chair of Mormon Women for Ethical Government. She positioned herself as a candidate focused on sound legal advice rather than political maneuvering.
By The Numbers
- 2: Number of former Republican attorneys general endorsing Hickman.
- Dozens: Former office lawyers who have endorsed the Democratic challenger.
- 8: Minimum number of endorsing attorneys whose service ended near Labrador’s swearing-in in January 2023.
- 2002: Year Idaho voters last elected a Democrat to statewide office.
- 1995: Year Larry Echohawk served as the state’s last Democratic attorney general.
Zoom Out
The endorsements come amid tensions between Labrador and former staff members. At least eight attorneys who endorsed Hickman left the office shortly before or after Labrador took office in January 2023.
Former deputy attorney general Madison Miles resigned, citing unethical representation of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Another former deputy, Daphne Huang, also endorsed Hickman. Her whistleblower lawsuit against the attorney general’s office was dismissed by a district court and is currently on appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court.
Labrador’s legal opinions have drawn attention in recent years. In 2023, he issued an opinion stating that doctors prescribing abortion pills across state lines face criminal penalties under Idaho’s abortion ban. He later reached an agreement with Planned Parenthood not to prosecute some Idaho doctors for out-of-state abortion referrals.
What’s Next
The Labrador campaign dismissed the endorsers as “disgruntled former employees.” The race will likely focus on these internal conflicts and Labrador’s legal decisions as Election Day approaches.
Wasden emphasized the importance of legal principles in the contest. He noted that the rule of law distinguishes the United States from other nations, suggesting that adherence to established legal traditions should guide voters’ decisions.
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