Former Idaho Deputy Attorneys General Endorsed Hickman

A group of 50 former deputy attorneys general has announced their support for Lori Hickman's bid for attorney general.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Political Parties

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Over 50 former Idaho deputy attorneys general have endorsed Democratic candidate Lori Hickman for attorney general, citing concerns over incumbent Raúl Labrador's leadership. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Over 50 former deputy attorneys general have endorsed Democratic candidate Lori Hickman for Idaho attorney general. The group cited concerns over current leadership under incumbent Raúl Labrador and expressed support for Hickman’s legal background.

Why it matters

The endorsement highlights ongoing friction within the Idaho attorney general's office following high staff turnover since Labrador took office in 2023. Supporters argue that the current office leadership has undermined professional ethics and stability within the department.

Thirty-three employees, including 26 attorneys, resigned from the office during Raúl Labrador’s first six months in 2023. Currently, Labrador has raised $700,000 for his campaign compared to $200,000 raised by Hickman.

The players

Lori Hickman

She is the Democratic candidate running for the office of Idaho attorney general.

Raúl Labrador

He is the incumbent Idaho attorney general who assumed the role in 2023.

Lawrence Wasden

He served as the Idaho attorney general for 20 years before the current administration.

The details

The endorsing group, which includes former officials serving since the 1970s, organized a press conference to formalize their support for Hickman. They criticized Labrador’s direction, noting he required staff to write letters of continuing interest to align with his specific vision for the office.

Timeline

  1. Republicans have held the office of Idaho attorney general since 1995.

  2. Raúl Labrador took office in 2023.

  3. The endorsement of Lori Hickman was announced in October 2026.

Political Context

The endorsement campaign serves as a structural counter-argument from legal professionals who claim the current administration has abandoned the office's traditions. Republican leadership maintains that their current initiatives reflect the mandate they received from voters.

The mass resignation of legal staff and subsequent political fallout directly affect how the office handles state litigation and legal advisory tasks. Voters must consider how internal office stability impacts the quality and consistency of legal counsel provided to state agencies.

The takeaway

This endorsement illustrates a significant divide between the current attorney general and the long-serving legal community in Idaho. Voters are left to weigh the incumbent's stated vision against the concerns raised by those previously tasked with serving the state's legal interests.

Further reading

For more on the state's electoral landscape, visit the Political Parties section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Idaho Statesman.

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