Keith Allred will run as a Democrat in Idaho's race for governor

[ccharles000]

Keith Allred, who spent five years building a nonpartisan citizens group into a force with clout in the Legislature, has abandoned that effort to run for governor as a Democrat.

Allred, 45, filed papers Thursday, naming former Rep. Margaret Henbest, D-Boise, as his treasurer. Democrats, including the party's last governor, Cecil Andrus, hailed Allred's entry into the 2010 race.

"Keith will immediately be a credible, serious candidate," said Andrus, who served four terms between 1971 and 1995.

Henbest said the success of the group Allred founded, The Common Interest, will help. "Keith has the ability to reach out to all sides," she said. "He's a real problem solver, and that's what Idaho needs."

Some Republicans loyal to incumbent GOP Gov. Butch Otter expressed surprise at Allred's surrender of hard-earned nonpartisan credentials. Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, who has praised Allred's work, said she was "shocked" by Allred's shift.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/1005367.html

[kestrel91316]

1. Wow, an Idaho Allred. He surely is related to the Mormon Allred's in Utah,

which makes him a distant cousin of mine. And my assistant's. And President Obama's, lol.

Ya gotta love genealogy.