2016 Idaho Democratic presidential caucuses explained

Election Name:2016 Idaho Democratic presidential caucuses
Country:Idaho
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 Idaho Democratic presidential caucuses
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Idaho Democratic presidential primary
Next Year:2020
Candidate1:Bernie Sanders
Color1:228B22
Home State1:Vermont
Delegate Count1:18
Popular Vote1:18,640
Percentage1:78.04%
Candidate2:Hillary Clinton
Color2:d4aa00
Home State2:New York
Delegate Count2:5
Popular Vote2:5,065
Percentage2:21.21%
Map Size:280x280px

The 2016 Idaho Democratic presidential caucuses took place on March 22 in the U.S. state of Idaho as one of the Democratic Party's primaries ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Voters convened in each of Idaho's 44 counties at 7 p.m. Mountain Standard Time/6 p.m Pacific Standard Time to proportionally allocate the state's 27 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July.[1] [2] [3]

Campaigning

Both major candidates made efforts to either send surrogates or campaign themselves in Idaho before the caucuses took place. On March 17, Olympian Michelle Kwan campaigned for Hillary Clinton at Boise State University, where she spoke to about 150 supporters.[4] On March 18, Bernie Sanders spoke at a local high school in Idaho Falls, Idaho drawing approximately 3,200 supporters.[5] [6] On March 21, the day before the Democratic caucuses, Senator Bernie Sanders spoke to approximately 7,000 supporters at the Taco Bell Arena[7] [8] on the campus of Boise State University.[9]

Aftermath

The caucus was later regarded as having prepared the ground for the Paulette Jordan gubernatorial campaign two years later, inasmuch as it demonstrated the popularity of progressive policy proposals amongst the Idahoan left.[10]

Opinion polling

See also: Statewide opinion polling for the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries.

Results

See also: Results of the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries.

Idaho Democratic Party 2016 Caucus State Delegate Election results April 1, 2016
CandidateCDPopular voteState convention delegates
CountPercentagePledgedUnpledgedTotal
Hillary ClintonCD12,31921.39%4545
CD22,74621.05%4141
Total5,06521.21%8686
Bernie SandersCD18,45478.00%154154
CD210,18678.08%144144
Total18,64078.04%298298
Rocky De La FuenteCD120.02%00
CD220.02%00
Total40.02%00
UncommittedCD1640.59%00
CD21110.85%00
Total1750.73%00
Grand TotalCD110,839100%199199
CD213,045100%185185
Total23,884100%384384
Source: Idaho Democratic Party 2016 Caucus State Delegate Election results April 1, 2016

Analysis

Sanders won Idaho by a four-to-one margin over Hillary Clinton, a similarly large landslide win that Barack Obama had enjoyed over Clinton in the Idaho caucuses eight years prior. In a majority white, rural, and ideologically libertarian electorate, Sanders had the upper hand. He won all counties but one on election day, carrying the major cities of Boise in Ada County, Pocatello in Bannock County, and Idaho Falls in Bonneville County. He was also bolstered by rural support from Southern Idaho to the Northern Panhandle, and in Central Idaho including Treasure Valley. Such regions are among the most remote and radically conservative areas of the country.

The Ada County caucus, held at CenturyLink Arena, which was the largest caucus in U.S. history, easily broke the 2008 record, with many voters waiting in line for three or four hours in brisk wind chill.[11] The mile-long line[12] stretched for several city blocks; more than 9,100 voters participated[13] in what was called a "massive" turnout, especially given Idaho's status as a Republican stronghold.

Sanders won 78.0% of the vote statewide; only his home state of Vermont, Alaska, and Utah have given him a wider margin of victory.[14] [15] [16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Politics Columns & Blogs - IdahoStatesman.com & Idaho Statesman.
  2. Web site: Idaho parties trying to increase state's impact in selecting president.
  3. Web site: Caucus 2016 - Idaho Democratic Party.
  4. Web site: Olympic figure skater campaigns for Clinton in Boise . KTVB . 2016-03-17 . 2016-03-24 . March 21, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160321071006/http://www.ktvb.com/news/politics/elections/olympic-figure-skater-campaigns-for-clinton-in-boise/87549521 . dead .
  5. Web site: Bernie Sanders Official Website.
  6. News: Bernie Sanders draws thousands to Idaho Falls rally. idahostatesman. 2017-06-27. en.
  7. Web site: Massive Turnout Reported at Idaho Caucus Sites. 2016-03-22. The Rachel Maddow Show.
  8. Web site: Senator Bernie Sanders speaks at Taco Bell Arena . KIVI-TV . 2016-03-21 . 2016-03-23 . KRUESI, KIMBERLEE.
  9. Web site: Bernie Sanders leaves Boise's Taco Bell Arena after rally . The Idaho Statesman . 2016-03-21 . 2016-03-21 . Ehlert, Robert.
  10. Web site: Why Paulette Jordan says she can bust Idaho's Republican stronghold . Sewell . Cynthia . 2018-08-19 . Idaho Statesman . 2018-08-19.
  11. Web site: Idaho Democrats pick Sanders by wide margin. 2016-03-23. The Idaho Statesman. 2016-03-23. Dentzer, Bill. Moeller, Katy. Webb, Anna. Barker, Rocky.
  12. Web site: Mile-Long Line At Idaho Democratic Caucus Site. 2016-03-22. Townhall.com. 2016-03-22. O'Brien, Cortny.
  13. Web site: Bernie Sanders wins Idaho Democratic caucuses. 2016-03-23. KTVB. 2016-03-23. March 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160325040355/http://www.ktvb.com/news/politics/elections/sanders-wins-idaho-democratic-caucuses/97690874. dead.
  14. Web site: Sanders trounces Clinton in Idaho caucus. 2016-03-23. The Spokesman Review. 2016-03-23. Deshais, Nicholas.
  15. Web site: Vermont Democratic Delegation 2016.
  16. Web site: Utah Election Results 2016.