I attribute the turnout to be largely a factor of the mass mailings sent
out by Clyde supporters, the ads in the newspapers and radio. More Clyde
supporters knew about the race than Knorr supporters. In addition, Clyde
supporters were more emotionally charged to vote, I imagine due to fear of
1) Bicycle interests, 2) the "E" word, and 3) City vs. Rural backgrounds of
the candidates. I suspect a fair amount of County residents still vote at
the Fairgrounds, making it look like the City went for Clyde.
I think the timing of the election is significant as well as the fact that
many City people have never even heard of the highway district elections.
It is a shame that the Highway District election is not subject to campaign
finance reporting. I would like to know who contributed to the campaigns
and at what amounts.
Tom
>I would be curious to hear responses to the results from 2020 subscribers.
>I have several theories about what happened, including farmers turning out
>to support one of their own and suspicion of Fritz's PCEI connection from
>people opposed to the sole-source aquifer designation. I expected Clyde to
>run strong in the outlying towns, simply because his family has been in
>Latah County for 100 years, but I really thought Fritz would get more votes
>in Moscow.
>
>Any other explanations? Progressive voters off floating rivers or backpacking
>in the wilderness?
>
>Kenton