Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has endorsed David Worley, a Republican challenger seeking the District 28 Senate seat, in a primary race against Sen. Jim Guthrie, who is running for a ninth term in the Idaho Legislature. The endorsement, announced in a press release from Labrador’s office, marks a notable instance of a statewide elected official wading into an intraparty legislative contest ahead of the May 19 Republican primary.

The Endorsement

Labrador framed his backing of Worley in terms of political consistency and accountability, drawing an implicit contrast with Guthrie without naming him directly.

“Voters are tired of politicians who campaign one way at home and govern another when they are in Boise,” Labrador stated in the press release. “David is different. He’ll bring integrity, courage, and common sense to the Senate. I encourage Republicans in District 28 to support David Worley on May 19.”

Labrador cited Worley’s commitments on border security, government accountability, and advocacy for Idaho families as reasons for the endorsement.

Who Is David Worley?

Worley is a major in the Idaho National Guard and a previous legislative candidate. He ran for a Senate seat in 2022 but lost the general election to Sen. James Ruchti, a Pocatello Democrat. He is now seeking the District 28 seat currently held by Guthrie.

In his response to a candidate survey conducted by Idaho Education News, Worley emphasized transparency and immigration enforcement. “In Boise, too many decisions are controlled by procedure and closed-door gatekeeping, and that undermines trust,” Worley wrote. “I am running to uphold immigration law, defend Idaho family values, and restore integrity and transparency so the people’s business happens in daylight.”

On his campaign website, Worley has staked out conservative positions on education and social policy, including commitments to remove what he describes as “radical Leftist ideology” from Idaho schools and to prohibit government resources from being used to “advance the LGBTQ agenda.” He has also written that Christian morality is the “foundation of Western Civilization” and that the state has a legitimate role in supporting public and private morality.

In January 2025, Worley filed a religious discrimination lawsuit against Idaho National Guard leadership, alleging the organization maintained a policy hostile to Christian officers. U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye dismissed the suit in February, writing in his order that it was not clear to the court that such a policy exists.

Sen. Guthrie’s Record and the Primary Tension

Guthrie, a Republican from McCammon, was first elected to the Idaho Senate in 2010. He chairs the Senate State Affairs Committee and brings a long record of legislative experience to the race, including prior service as a Bannock County Commissioner and a trustee for Marsh Valley School District.

His record, however, has drawn criticism from conservative activists. Guthrie has faced pushback this session from hardline Republicans who accused him of blocking immigration-related bills from receiving committee hearings. He currently tops the Stop Idaho RINOs PAC’s list of Republicans who, by that group’s accounting, vote with Democrats.

Guthrie’s positioning on several high-profile votes illustrates the ideological fault line at the center of this primary. He voted against the $50 million Parental Choice Tax Credit and was the sole Senate Republican to vote against a recent bill regulating bathroom use by transgender individuals. His website emphasizes support for robust public education funding and local control.

Guthrie was also a legislative co-sponsor of the Idaho Launch grant program in 2023, which provided grants to graduating high school seniors for post-secondary education or workforce training.

Guthrie has not responded to the Idaho Education News candidate survey and has not granted interview requests for an election profile. Worley submitted survey responses but similarly has not agreed to a phone interview.

What’s Next

Republican voters in District 28 will decide the primary on May 19. Because the district leans heavily Republican, the primary outcome is likely to be decisive in determining who ultimately holds the seat.

Labrador’s endorsement signals that the race has attracted attention beyond the district’s boundaries. Intraparty challenges against veteran lawmakers have become an increasingly visible feature of Idaho Republican politics, with ideological disputes over procedure, immigration, and education driving primary contests across multiple legislative districts.