To all Kossacks: Please take note that these Congressional District Information Diaries are not meant to evaluate whether or not the districts are beatable. They are meant for Kossacks and others to share information on any knowledge they have on the districts.
There have been recent Congressional District Information diaries where Kos user comments are talking about "how this person will never be beaten," or "even a scandal wouldn't change anyone's minds." To be frank, we're not looking for this kind of feedback. We want real, inside information about the Congressional Districts we cover in our diaries.
We'd like to reach out to any of you Kossacks from Idaho's 2nd Congressional District for information. Feel free to add your understanding of the communities, issues, etc.
This isn't going to be much of a diary. You can add anything you want about Idaho's 2nd Congressional District. Keep in mind this diary is just for information purposes. Let's not get too carried away with whether or not any of these Knowledge Democrats information gathering diaries mean the Congressional districts in questions are winnable by Democrats or not. Were here to assess districts across the country, no matter how "deep reed" or "red" or Republican-occupied they are.
What issues directly affect people in Idaho's 2nd Congressional District? My colleague Augustin and I are working on the Knowledge Democrats project and I've started working on a wiki page for the 2nd Congressional congressional district in order to assist in our long term efforts to promote progressive candidates in that district, whether at the local, state or federal level. We understand this district may in fact have a bit conservative constituency but we're looking to reach out to any Kossacks, Democrats or progressives in the state anyway. It helps for long-term planning.
We also know that the current representative of the district is Mike Simpson.
U.S. House, Idaho, District 2 General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Nicole LeFavour 34.8% 110,847
Republican Mike Simpson 65.1% 207,412
Write-in (Democratic) Jack Wayne Chappell (Write-in) 0.1% 235
Total Votes: 318,494
Source: Idaho Secretary of State "November 6, 2012 General Election Results"
http://www.sos.idaho.gov/...
Also, taking politics out of the equation, let others know if you've been to Idaho's 2nd Congressional District and can point out some good restaurants, venues and places to spend time in there.
So far, we only have the basic information. What issues should be documented? What important links / articles / information should be added to the wiki page?