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⚠️ Idaho Politics — Idaho Falls Mayoral Runoff Tue 12/2/25 — VOTE! All Eyes on Idaho Falls. A vast political machine is working hard to get its candidate into office. By Brian Almon (12/01/25). Last update 12/05/25
🆕 12/03/25 Update: PAC-backed Burtenshaw defeated conservative Jeff Alldridge by nearly 900 votes out of 12,098 cast, which was slightly more than the 11,869 who voted in the initial election in November 2025. See tinyurl.com/3uaa59m6for results and Brian Almon’s analysis.
The Gem State Heist — like the Rocky Mountain Heist listed in Related links — continues unabated.
This post from Brian Almon is worth reading even if you do not live in Idaho Falls, Idaho. But if you do, be sure to vote TODAY 12/2/25 in the Mayoral runoff. Your city’s future is at stake.
And for the rest of us, Almon’s post serves as a cautionary tale for what’s happening in Idaho as powerful forces work to turn it blue — just as they did in Colorado, California, Washington, Oregon, and so many other states. (See “Rocky Mountain Heist” in Related links below.)
The end result — if we don’t avoid being low-information, apathetic voters and non-voters — is a gradual takeover by socialists, Marxists, communists and other “ists” like New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
Closer to Idaho home, we’ve seen moves further left, including in Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, Mountain Home, several cities in North Idaho, and Ada County (e.g., Sheriff), to name a few.
The left march begins gradually and often starts with lower-level elected offices, tax levies, and low-turnout elections. But these elections — and Republican Primaries — are where the real sausage is made.
We implore people to stop being distracted by national and international events and focus on what’s happening in their own back yards.
ED NOTE
We wish platform-adherent Republicans and conservatives would stop using the euphemistic term “moderate Republican” when referring to philosophical Democrats / Socialists (or those backed by leftist money) who register and run as Republicans in Idaho, just to win and move the state further to the left.
Many of these “moderate Republicans” wouldn’t know or support a Republican platform plank if it flipped up and put splinters in their behinds. A more appropriate term might be “rad-Republican” for Republican Affiliated Democrat Republican. The old, more appropriate, term “RINO” apparently is no longer acceptable and politically correct.
Just our two-cents worth.Idaho Falls mayoral runoff Tuesday 12/2/25: Voters will decide between grassroots support for Alldridge and the influx of money from political networks targeting him.
Summary (Grok ai, edited; images from article)
Almon discusses the mayoral runoff election in Idaho Falls, Idaho, between Council Member Lisa Burtenshaw and Jeff Alldridge after initial results showed Alldridge at 47.17%, Burtenshaw at 46.65%, and independent Christian Ashcraft at 6.18%.
He highlights significant post-election financial and rhetorical support for Burtenshaw, including endorsements, donations, and PAC spending from direct contributions and outside groups. This contrasts with Alldridge's grassroots (but less well-financed) appeal.
Burtenshaw is supported by moderate Republican networks, Governor Brad Little's associates, and national PACs — an interconnected political machine influencing the race.
Initial Election Overview
Three candidates competed for mayor of Idaho Falls:
Lisa Burtenshaw: Representing established business and political interests.
Jeff Alldridge: Aligned with new-right conservatism.
Christian Ashcraft: Running as an independent.
Ashcraft's vote share forced a runoff between Burtenshaw and Alldridge.
Post-Election Campaign Activity
Mailers supported Burtenshaw with endorsements from Governor Brad Little, Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke, and local Democrats.
Strategy involves courting both Democrats and Republicans.
Campaign Contributions
Burtenshaw reported nearly $40,000 in donations, Alldridge around $30,000, mostly from individuals. In November, Burtenshaw received eleven $1,000 donations, Alldridge five. Full data unavailable until after the runoff. (Almon provides additional details in his article.)
PAC Support for Burtenshaw
Several PACs are promoting Burtenshaw and attacking Alldridge.
Idaho Liberty PAC: Associated with Governor Brad Little through the Friends of Brad Little PAC and Idaho Victory Fund.
Conservation Voters for Idaho: Left-leaning and has backed Boise Mayor Lauren McLean.
Defend & Protect Idaho:
Founded by former Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney to oppose Janice McGeachin and Ammon Bundy in 2022. Raney opposed constitutional carry and portrayed McGeachin as anti-police.
Received hundreds of thousands from national groups including Virginia-based Article IV, Colorado-based Unite America PAC, National Association of Firefighters, and National Association of Realtors.
Way Back PAC (Idaho-based per campaign finance, listed as Sheridan, ID; Sheridan, WY used for anonymity):
Donated $50,000 to Defend & Protect Idaho last year.
Supports candidates focusing on community issues, defending democracy, and getting things done, including moderate Republicans like Lori Bishop, Jeff Agenbroad, Alex Caval.
Supports leftists like Jimmy Hallyburton and Colin Nash.
Supports Democrats like Soñia Galaviz and Todd Achilles; and Idahoans for Open Primaries.
Unite America PAC, based in Denver.
Supports open primaries, opposing the Idaho GOP position.
Homepage features a profile of former Rep. Chenele Dixon, a moderate Republican who lost her primary to Rep. Clint Hostetler.
Related:
🆕 Op-Ed: Voters, not PACs, should decide elections. By GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon (12/04/25): tinyurl.com/2saw4u3b
Rocky Mountain Heist: How Colorado was Bought. Hosted by Michelle Malkin, this film sheds light on how four wealthy liberals turned Colorado from Red to Blue(video 45:26, includes transcript): youtube.com/watch?v=wIv…
Idaho Republican Platform: idgop.org/wp-content/up…
🆕 Voting Guide:tinyurl.com/52wevecb
