Danielle Ahrens announced today that she will suspend her campaign for Idaho State Senate, District 1.
Sitting with Redoubt News today, she explained her decision.
“It is a numbers game,” Ahrens explained.” When you are splitting the vote against a 20 year incumbent, with a set supporter base, you only have a slim margin to win by.”
She told us of her meeting with another candidate, Glenn Rohrer. “He said he is only interested in capturing the seat and serving one term. Therefore, I will stay actively engaged in District One, like I always have been and readying myself for a 2018 run.”
Rohrer, a newcomer to politics, now faces incumbent Shawn Keough on his own.
Keough recently announced her reelection bid, emphasizing her new appointment as Senate Budget Committee Chairman and the boost to District 1 that this could represent. Historically, District 1 has not held this seat since prior to 1930.
Ahrens Official Press Release:
Dear supporters,
It is with much sadness that I come to you today.
After many discussions with the Rohrer campaign and my own advisors, I have decided for the good of the Conservative movement in District 1 that I will step out of the race at this time.
This was a difficult decision for me as I felt like I had the organization and overwhelming
support to win against Senator Keough, however, I could see that a three way race would have clearly split the vote.
As my discussions with the Rohrer campaign didn’t bear fruit and as the chairman of the Bonner County Republican Central Committee, I felt the time has come to show leadership in promoting the Conservative movement.
To my supporters, please join me in personally supporting the remaining Conservative candidate for the Idaho District 1 Senate race. In the meantime, I will be laying the groundwork toward a possible run in 2018 and will continue my leadership in the Conservative movement in North Idaho and the Republican Party.
God Bless….
