In Idaho, one of the reddest of the Red States, the progressive community made strong gains in local elections this fall and significantly strengthened its long-term work of building a network of progressive candidates and well-trained and motivated campaign workers.

The valiant and long-suffering progressives in Idaho - perhaps the reddest of the Red States - got a welcome jolt of hope, political training, and empowerment this year when Wellstone Action brought Camp Wellstone to Boise.

Held at Albertson College in Caldwell last March, the Camp was co-sponsored by United Vision for Idaho (UVI), which works with organizations and activists throughout the state to promote social, economic and environmental justice. Remarkably, the Camp filled up quickly and the Camp's Candidate Track was the largest in Camp Wellstone history!

Of the 133 Boise Camp Wellstone participants, 18 ran for public office in November and five were elected to leadership positions in their party. The real story of the election was our success in local races, where the benefits of the Boise Camp training were very obvious. Many candidates scored amazing upsets. Camp graduates won three district house seats (Sue Chew received 58% of the vote, Branden Durst, Bill Killen earned 57%; and Phyllis King came in at 53%). Graduate Paul Woods was elected Ada County Commissioner with 57% of the vote, and credits his victory to the great training he got at Camp Wellstone.

Ten Boise Camp graduates served as campaign managers, and 12 were volunteers or workers on campaigns whose candidates were elected. Many others helped with statewide canvassing for all progressive candidates on the ticket. Boise Camp graduates also worked on a variety of state campaigns, and they brought the new skills they learned at Camp Wellstone to their leadership in a variety of Idaho organizations, including Idaho Smart Growth, United Vision for Idaho, Women of Color Alliance, Planned Parenthood, Idaho Veterans for Peace, and groups working on issues of health care, hunger, homelessness, and clean energy.

These statistics cannot capture the emotions and hard work that brought victory to four Camp alumni and crucial experience in campaign organizing to many others of all ages. To people in Blue States, these figures might appear insignificant, but the results surpass the expectations we had when we urged Wellstone Action trainers to come to Boise. During this critical election year, Wellstone Action focused most of its efforts on states where progressives had a good chance of winning. But by coming to Idaho, political pros are now well aware of the real impact of Wellstone Action and agree that the Camp produced a much-needed pool of future candidates and well-trained and motivated workers.

Senator Paul Wellstone would be proud that Wellstone Action staff made the decision to take the fight where it was needed the most in the country. It was a dream-come-true to be able to make such a positive impact in our new retirement community in such a short time due to Boise Camp Wellstone. Together we can do it!