By Secretary of State Phil McGrane
Inside Idaho’s Evolving Lobbying Landscape
Every December, the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference marks the unofficial start of the legislative season. For our office, it has also become a moment to pull back the curtain and share what’s possible when good data meets meaningful transparency. Think of it as our own version of a product launch (only instead of black turtlenecks, you get the bald guy with glasses). With help from our data guru, Gabe Osterhout, we’ve been able to present information in ways that are more interactive, dynamic, and accessible than ever before.
I shared a visualization of Idaho’s legislative primary elections since 2018, highlighting how many races were decided by exceptionally slim margins. There was a visible reaction in the room when I pointed out that 49 races were decided by a margin equal to the number of people sitting there, 425 attendees. It was a moment that underscored a truth I never get tired of repeating: your vote matters.
I gave attendees a first look at our new lobbyist reporting system. Idahoans know our Sunshine database as a reliable source for campaign finance transparency. With the launch of our updated platform, we’ve brought that same level of clarity to lobbying disclosure through our new lobbyist portal. Combined with recent legislation requiring the reporting of indirect spending, the portal now offers a much deeper view into Idaho’s political influence environment.
One of the most striking insights we shared was the difference between in-state and out-of-state lobbyist spending patterns. In-state lobbyists tend to invest in the traditional face-to-face interactions you’d expect, such as meals, coffee, and hosted events. Out-of-state lobbyists, however, dedicate a larger share of their budgets to social media and advertising. The system updates daily, shedding light on which bills different interests are tracking and how they’re spending their money.
This data is available in interactive format on our Data and Dashboards page, where you’ll also find other visualizations I’ve shared at ATI and other forums. I encourage you to explore what we have available and nerd out a bit yourself: https://voteidaho.gov/data-and-dashboards/
Phil McGrane
About Phil McGrane
Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022. McGrane holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.
