In one small sign of hope for the Legislature, three right-wing Republican incumbent Representatives have withdrawn from their House races. According to the Secretary of State’s primary candidate list, District 17’s Bill Shorma, District 25’s Les Heinemann, and District 9’s Bethany Soye have all withdrawn their nominating petitions.
Soye filed her petition on February 20. Heinemann submitted his petition March 11. Shorma waited until last week, March 25, to submit. All three pulled out this week, after Veto Day.
Heinemann’s withdrawal means District 25 is losing both of its House incumbents, as term-limited Speaker Jon Hansen is running for Governor. District 25 still has three Republicans and no Democrats running for its two seats.
Shorma leaves incumbent Republican Rep. Chris Kassin running against two Republicans and two Democrats for District 17’s two seats.
Soye leaves the largest primary field of the three, with incumbent Tesa Schwans and three other Republicans vying for two nominations and one Democratic challenger filed for the November general.
Hopefully Rinos will take over. People are the same all over.