On another state's forum someone mentioned that Boise has become liberal (Meridian: property taxes, to live in)

[gimme it]

due to all the Californians moving in. Is this really the case or would it still be considered conservative?

[Torrie]

There was an article in the Idaho Statesman titled How We Voted. It shows the resutls for Ada County(which includes Boise, Star, Eagle, Kuna & Meridian). I tried to pull it but it's in the archives and you have to pay for the article. I believe it's $2.95. The article ran on Nov 22, 2008, but I believe it shows up online on Nov 21.

Ada County voted heavily Republican-according to the article, heavily means 60% or more. In Canyon County McCain beat Obama 67% to 31%. Out of the 54 precincts, McCain won 50 and Obama won 4. Idaho as a whole was McCain's fourth best state where he had a 62% victory.

When I look at the map there's only a small area where Obama won 60% or more of the vote, which is mainly in the downtown area and North End. When I say small I mean, when you look at Ada County as a whole it appears to be a small portion.

Our area(Boise-Metro) isn't like what you'd experience in SF, if that's what you're concerned about, it's still pretty conservative. Some of the clients I've worked with from California actually have seeked out Boise because they're tired of the liberalism in Cali-not that their opinions are what the majority feel who come here, but a few have mentioned that to me.

You should check out the article, it's interesting, I bet they do it every election-it would be neat to put the same maps next to one another from each election to observe changes in voting patterns over the years.

Hope this answers your question.

[Need2Leave]

Originally Posted by gimme it

due to all the Californians moving in. Is this really the case or would it still be considered conservative?

I read the Statesman's election coverage, and if my memory serves me right, none of the Ada County districts switched parties in their state representative races.

[gimme it]

I think of liberal as more than just who you voted for, but the overwhelming vote for McCain is telling. Thanks.

[Need2Leave]

The statewide 25 percent showing for Ron Paul in the primary is a bit telling as well

[Jarndyce]

Considering that McCain won the presidential election here and that Boiseans and Idahoans thought fit enough to replace a national embarrassment like Larry Craig with another Republican, and only 1 Democrat won election because he beat a complete moron Republican...

How "liberal" is Boise? Seriously.

The Californians that are moving here are the conservative Californians that can't afford to live in California anymore. As the governator stated publically California has a revenue problem, not a spending problem. That revenue is going to have to come from property taxes at some point and these Californians don't want to be around when the music stops, basically.

[Lacerta]

On a scale of 1 - 10, with 1 being the entire population is left (liberal) and 10 being the entire population is right (conservative), I would rate the Boise area as about a 7 or even 8. As a an Idaho native and a liberal, I find myself completely surrounded by conservatives. Even the "liberals" here have a lot of issues they lean conservative.

I think Boise has become "more" liberal over the past few years, but on the scale of moving from a 9.5 to a 7 or 8. Its still conservative central here.

[Need2Leave]

Originally Posted by Lacerta

On a scale of 1 - 10, with 1 being the entire population is left (liberal) and 10 being the entire population is right (conservative), I would rate the Boise area as about a 7 or even 8. As a an Idaho native and a liberal, I find myself completely surrounded by conservatives. Even the "liberals" here have a lot of issues they lean conservative.

I think Boise has become "more" liberal over the past few years, but on the scale of moving from a 9.5 to a 7 or 8. Its still conservative central here.

That's an awfuly broad brush... I'm so far right I'm confused for left at times... and some of my left leaning friends could be confused for right at times... we need more viable parties.

[kelly363]

at least a large portion of the northend leans liberal. There are definitely hundreds of Obama signs in yards, bumper stickers, etc. Also the Hyde Park Festival each year that the locals call "hippie fest". Recycling is a norm and the feel is definitely liberal in my opinion. This area has a much different feel to it than the rest of Boise. Although there may be other areas. I am not from California and did not know anyone personally that was while in Boise so I don't think that the reason for these possible changes would be due to the influence of people from another state.

[kelly363]

ps. Although most that I know, if not all, voted for Obama and held big parties, this area is such a small percentage of Boise and Boise is definitely ran by conservatives. I would have to agree that Boise is very slowly becoming more liberal but will be a conservative county as a whole for many, many years to come.