Idaho Lieutenant Governor Faces Challenger

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho County Commissioner Jim Chmelik plans to challenge Lt. Gov. Brad Little in the May 20 Republican primary, adding to the slate of conservative, tea-party backed candidates challenging incumbents favored by business groups.

The Lewiston Tribune reported Chmelik will run in the primary on a platform that includes opposing federal intervention in Idaho issues. Chmelik says he believes Idaho is on the wrong path and has acquiesced to Washington, D.C., on issues including education, health care and public lands.

In particular, Chmelik is an advocate of Idaho assuming more control of federal land that dominates his northcentral Idaho county. Little was appointed by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter in 2009 and won his 2010 election. Chmelik supports state Sen. Russ Fulcher, a Meridian Republican, in his own primary race against Otter.