Republicans nominated a former state lawmaker and abortion opponent to challenge Democratic Gov. Cecil Andrus, who vetoed what would have been the nation's most restrictive abortion law.
Final unofficial returns in the GOP primary gave former Senate majority leader Roger Fairchild 37,690 votes, or 37 percent, to 33,546 votes, or 33 percent, for state Sen. Rachel Gilbert, another abortion opponent.Stockbroker Milton Erhart, who hoped to capitalize on his support of legalized abortion, finished third with 30,524 votes, or 30 percent.
"They said I couldn't win the nomination," Fairchild declared after his victory. "Now the so-called experts will say I can't defeat Cecil Andrus. Again, I say we can."
Andrus, seeking a fourth term, had no primary opposition.
In other races, a GOP congressman seeking to succeed retiring Republican Sen. James McClure won his party's primary. Democrats picked a Boise businessman to oppose him.
With all precincts reporting, Rep. Larry Craig had 66,249 votes, or 59 percent, to 45,689 votes, or 41 percent, for Attorney General Jim Jones in the GOP Senate primary.
Craig, 44, campaigned on his conservative record over 10 years in the House.
In the Democratic Senate race, businessman Ron Twilegar had 30,197 votes, or 64 percent, to 16,658 votes, or 36 percent, for political newcomer David Steed.
A longtime opponent of abortion, Andrus angered anti-abortion forces when he vetoed what would have been the nation's most restrictive state abortion law a half-hour after the Republican-dominated Legislature adjourned on March 30.
The legislation called for outlawing abortion except in cases of rape reported within seven days, incest if the victim is under 18, severe fetal deformity or a threat to the life or physical health of the woman.
Fairchild, 37, said during the campaign that he would have signed the legislation "in a baby's heartbeat."
Abortion-rights advocates targeted lawmakers who backed the bill. The Right to Life Committee took aim at legislators who backed legalized abortion.