Mac Raslan would have been the stronger conservative Republican candidate in the primary, based on voting records, policy positions, and self-positioning.
ballotpedia.org
Background on the RaceIncumbent C. Scott Grow (Eagle): A long-serving senator (appointed 2018, multiple terms) and chair of the Senate Finance Committee / co-chair of the budget-setting Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. He won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary against Raslan and advances to the general election against Constitution Party candidate Kirsten Faith Richardson (no Democrat in the race).
idahostatesman.com
Challenger Mac Raslan (Sweet/Emmett area, Gem County): HVAC business owner with no prior elected office (lost a 2024 Gem County commissioner primary). He positioned himself explicitly as a "true Conservative Republican" and America First constitutional conservative.
idgop.org
Key Comparison on ConservatismIdaho Republican primaries often hinge on limited government, spending restraint, taxes, education, elections, and social issues. Here's how they stacked up:Spending & Limited Government (IFF Scores): Grow has very low Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) spending scores (e.g., ~8% in recent sessions, lifetime ~11.7%), which Raslan repeatedly criticized. IFF views these as indicators of higher government spending. Grow's overall Freedom Index has been middling (e.g., D- or around 50-60% in past cycles). Raslan attacked this directly, calling Grow "C. Scott Grow government" and promising far tighter restraint.
kivitv.com
Taxes & Property Taxes: Grow emphasized tax relief and balanced budgets via his finance role (e.g., supporting past tax cuts). Raslan pushed more radical changes: eliminate property taxes (only on purchase, no ongoing/reassessment on long-held homes) and the grocery tax, framing property taxes as unfair "unrealized gains" taxation.
kivitv.com
Broader Policy: Raslan advocated eliminating mail-in voting (favor paper, in-person, hand-counted ballots), removing federal involvement in education, strong parental rights, opposition to abortion ("I shouldn't commit murder and neither should 'healthcare'"), and limiting government to defending God-given/constitutional rights. He criticized government growth, fraud/waste, and non-competes. Grow focused on experience, fiscal responsibility within the current system, limited taxation, and "moral responsibility."
idahovoters.com
Experience vs. Outsider: Grow highlighted his CPA/business background, school board service, and legislative tenure for budget expertise. Raslan emphasized private-sector work and argued Grow's record showed insufficient conservatism.
kivitv.com
Raslan aligned with Idaho's "Conservative Activist" wing (per voter guides), while Grow represents the more established, institutional Republican leadership.
idahovoters.com
Context and OutcomeGrow won the primary (as the incumbent with name recognition, fundraising, and committee power in a district covering parts of growing Ada County and Gem County). Incumbents in Idaho often prevail unless there's a very strong anti-establishment wave. However, for voters prioritizing the "most conservative" option—especially on spending restraint, radical tax reform, and outsider energy—Raslan better matched that profile. Grow's leadership role gave him influence for tax cuts but drew fire for compromising on overall spending and government size.
index.idahofreedom.org
This is a classic Idaho GOP dynamic: establishment experience vs. hardline challenger. "Better" depends on priorities, but on pure conservative metrics (low spending scores, aggressive limited-government rhetoric), Raslan was the clearer choice in the primary.
@Raul_Labrador @brianalmon @mcgraneforidaho chose to put their support behind Grow, why?