Republicans still working on recruiting a candidate for competitive SD18

Over the last three election cycles, senate district 18 has been decided on average of less than 900 votes.  In 2006, a landslide year for Democrats, Betsi DeVries beat Andy Martell by 1500 votes, which is the largest margin of victory in the last 6 years.  This year no Republican has stepped up to the plate to challenge the freshman senator, but two candidates are considering it.

Manchester Ward 8 school board member Doug Kruse is one candidate considering the race.  Doug has been rumored for many offices in the past few years, but to date has stuck with his duties as a school board member.  The other is businessman and political consultant Mike Biundo. 

Sources close to both candidates say they have the same obstacle to overcome.  Will their jobs give them enough flexibility to serve their constituents?  Kruse is expected to make a decision soon and depending on who you talk to he is either leaning towards running or against running, but is definitely giving it serious consideration.  Biundo has been getting a lot of encouragement from other Republicans to jump in the race and to date has not completely ruled out a run for the seat, but time constraints at Meridian may get in the way.

This is one of the most competitive districts in the state and if the Republicans want any chance of regaining the senate they will need to find a strong candidate to at least keep DeVries busy and make the Democrats spend resources here.

More Inside Edge