W. LANE STARTIN
DEMOCRAT FOR IDAHO GOVERNOR
2010 Exploratory Site

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Sen. Barack Obama recently raised $32 million in a single month. My immediate fundraising aspirations are much more modest. I'd like to raise $1,000 by March 31, 2008. A small contribution now can make a big difference in Idaho in 2010. This is a grassroots effort; Startin for Idaho limits contributions to no more than $100 per person or organization per year.

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Statistics as of 6 February:

GOAL: $1,000
RAISED: $135

24 January 2008

I'm considering a run for Governor of Idaho in 2010. I'm doing this knowing full well there are several precedents against me.

Idaho hasn't elected a Democratic governor since 1990, and hasn't elected a Democrat over a Republican incumbent since 1970 (Cecil Andrus in both cases).

The last Idaho governor under the age of 39 was elected in 1900 (Frank W. Hunt). I'll be 37 on election day 2010.

The last Idaho governor who was elected without holding prior elective office was John T. Morrison in 1902.

There has never been an Idaho governor from Twin Falls County, even though Twin Falls is one of the state's more populous counties.

There has never been an Idaho State University alumnus/alumna elected Idaho governor.

That said, a main reason I'm running is that there simply aren't enough high-profile Democrats to even contest all the constitutional statewide offices, much less get elected to them. There's Larry LaRocco, Larry Grant, Walt Minnick, maybe Wendy Jaquet, maybe Clint Stennett. That's it. Someone else (actually, several someones) has to step up to the plate. That's what I'm doing.

The time is right for change, both in Idaho and nationwide. The thing is, we need to be ready.

But I'm not about to run a quixotic campaign. I need to generate quite a bit of fundraising and name ID in the next 18-24 months to make this work. Right now I have $65 and change in my campaign account. If there's not at least $100,000 cash on hand in that account as of 15 July 2009, I'm dropping to a lower race.

That's the lay of the land here. Please support 2008 candidates first, but if you're thinking ahead to '10 I'd certainly appreciate your consideration.

W. Lane Startin

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Contribution limit: $100 per entity per year

10 January 2008

Over the past few months I've had the honor to serve as Idaho state grassroots coordinator for Gov. Bill Richardson's run for president, so it is with a bit of sadness that I note the end of his campaign. I think Gov. Richardson could have been very competitive in the Idaho caucus. I wish him all the best.

Of the remaining candidates, I believe Sen. Barack Obama now represents the best choice for America, the West, and Idaho. Today I offer my support and endorsement to Sen. Obama's campaign. I encourage Idaho Democrats who haven't already done so to rally around him and attend the 5 February caucus on his behalf. There's now nothing standing in the way of a particularly decisive victory for Obama in the Idaho caucus. Let's deliver it to him.

W. Lane Startin

Barack Obama national web site
Idaho for Obama

Authorized by Startin for Idaho

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