College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs at SSPA Political Scientist Gary Moncrief has Busy Election Season
Political Science Professor Gary Moncrief was all over the news this election season, appearing in numerous Statesman articles. Here’s a sampling:
Who will be Idaho’s next Lieutenant Governor?
And there is the likelihood - based on Idaho’s political history - that the next lieutenant governor could use the job as a springboard to run for governor, said Gary Moncrief, a Boise State University political science professor. That happened with Phil Batt. Otter himself was lieutenant governor before he was elected to the U.S. House, where he served until he was elected governor in 2006.
Polls closed in southern Idaho, open in the Panhandle
That a liberal candidate is a campus favorite is not surprising. But in the matter of BSU student voters — the majority of whom were born and raised in a Republican stronghold — their preference for Obama seems to defy the conventional wisdom that young people absorb the politics of their parents.
Not so, said Gary Moncrief, Boise State political science professor.
“There are a couple of things that go into setting a person’s party I.D. — people are socialized toward their parents’ party, but really the most important thing is their inclination when they turn 18,” he said.
“I tell my students it’s a lot like baby ducks imprinting on whatever moves first. If you’ve got a candidate who really excites them, they’re more than willing to move away from the kind of parental socialization that occurs.”
Legislative races spendy this year
Pricey campaigns across Idaho could lead to record overall spending by legislative candidates this year.
Boise State University political scientist Gary Moncrief, an expert on campaign finance, cited three factors in apparently rising spending: more competitive head-to-head races, a pattern of more spending on the Legislature in nongubernatorial years, and a trend toward professionalism in campaigns.
“When they become competitive you always see this spike in the money,” Moncrief said.
All articles appeared in the Idaho Statesman.
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