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Saturday August 30, 2014 02:02 PM

BOISE, Idaho (AP) Idaho's red state roots haven't faded, but political infighting inside its Republican Party has left many feeling disenfranchised with the so-called traditional GOP candidates who will appear on this year's election ballot.

Tea party voters, who showed to be a powerful voting bloc in the May GOP primary election, are threatening to stay home or vote for a Democratic candidate rather than vote for the Republican.

This means Gov. Butch Otter, who is seeking a third-term, could face a tighter race against Democratic challenger A.J. Balukoff, a millionaire who has said he'll spend as much as he needs to win.

"I've never voted for a Democrat, I've been a lifelong Republican, but in November, I'm voting for Balukoff" said Rob Waite, superintendent of Shoshone School District in south-central Idaho.

Waite, who has lived in Idaho for the past five years, said he's a libertarian who agrees with most of the tea party platforms.

As a superintendent, Waite said he's most interested in the gubernatorial candidates' plan to improve education in Idaho, citing low public school funding and lackluster college graduation rates as high areas of concern.

"In order to solve the problem, you first have to recognize there's a problem," Waite said. "I don't think Otter recognizes there's a problem."

Up in northern Idaho, state GOP Rep. Vito Barbieri said it's doubtful his conservative district would swing Democrat, but he thinks many voters will be likely to leave the governor's box unchecked.

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Tea party could make race tougher for Butch Otter