Out-of-state campaign spending accounts for many negative campaign ads in Idaho • Idaho Capital Sun

In the 2024 primary election, the Alexandria, Virginia-based group Make Liberty Win was the top-spending out-of-state group. The group spent $703,533 in Idaho for the 2024 primary, more than all other groups outside the state combined. In the primary, Make Libery Win spent $107,473 against former Senate Majority Leader Chuck Winder, R-Boise, who was defeated in the primary.

Make Liberty Win also spent $112,852 on the opponent of House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star, who won his primary and was re-elected Nov. 5.

Make Liberty Win spent money against Winder, Moyle and 30 incumbent Idaho lawmakers during the primary.

“It’s interesting because all of a sudden we’re not used to this attention,” McGrane said. “We are used to our business. We are Idaho. We are a flyover space. People shouldn’t pay attention. Suddenly people are paying attention and we are seeing more money flowing into this area.”

Overall, most campaign money still comes from Idaho and not from abroad, McGrane said. But when it comes to negative campaign spending, out-of-state contributions exceed in-state contributions.

The annual Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference, now in its 78th year, has long been considered the unofficial kickoff to Idaho’s annual legislative session, which begins Jan. 6. About 500 people attended the taxpayer conference in Boise on Wednesday, including dozens of elected officials and business leaders, lobbyists, finance and accounting professionals.

During the fiscal conference, McGrane also announced that the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office will implement a revised reporting and disclosure system and website for lobbyists. The new lobbyist disclosure website is similar to the revamped campaign finance website where McGrane highlighted out-of-state spending.