44 County Tour
Tommy Ahlquist visited all 44 Idaho counties — listening to Idahoans in every corner of the Gem State.
Every County. Every Idahoan.
From the panhandle to the Snake River Plain, from the Treasure Valley to the eastern mountains, Tommy Ahlquist's campaign made a commitment that few gubernatorial candidates in Idaho history have honored: visiting every single one of Idaho's 44 counties.
The 44 County Tour wasn't a photo opportunity — it was a listening tour. Tommy wanted to understand the issues facing Idahoans in rural agricultural counties as clearly as he understood the concerns of families in the Treasure Valley's booming suburbs. He believed that a governor who hadn't heard directly from constituents in Boundary County had no business making decisions that would affect their farms and families.
By the time the campaign reached its final weeks, Tommy had traveled tens of thousands of miles across Idaho, visited hundreds of towns and cities, and held conversations with thousands of Idahoans about what they needed from their state government. Those conversations shaped and sharpened every element of the Conservative Blueprint.
From the Panhandle to the Snake River Plain
Treasure Valley
7 Counties
Boise, Nampa, Caldwell, Meridian, Eagle, Emmett, Weiser, Payette, McCall
Magic Valley
8 Counties
Twin Falls, Jerome, Gooding, Shoshone, Rupert, Burley, Hailey, Fairfield
Eastern Idaho
12 Counties
Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Pocatello, Blackfoot, Soda Springs, St. Anthony, Driggs, Arco, Salmon, Challis
North Idaho
10 Counties
Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, Kellogg, Moscow, Lewiston, Grangeville, Orofino, St. Maries
Idaho's Concerns, Firsthand
Across all 44 counties, Tommy heard consistent themes — and a few that surprised him. The issues that dominated conversations in rural Eastern Idaho weren't identical to those in Coeur d'Alene or Boise, but certain concerns cut across every region:
Jobs and Economic Opportunity
Idahoans in every county wanted to know that their children would be able to find good-paying work without leaving the state. The conversation about jobs was inseparable from conversations about education, workforce training, and business regulation.
Agricultural Viability
In Idaho's farming and ranching counties, the existential threat of federal overreach — over water rights, land use, environmental regulations — was a constant topic. Farmers needed a governor who would fight Washington on their behalf.
Healthcare Access and Costs
In rural Idaho, the combination of Obamacare mandates, rising premiums, and limited provider availability had created a healthcare access crisis. Idahoans wanted solutions, not more government programs.
Government Accountability
In every county, Idahoans expressed frustration with a state government that seemed disconnected from their daily lives. Term limits and ethics reform resonated powerfully with voters who felt that career politicians had lost touch with the people they represented.
"I am running for governor because I have the experience and conservative track record to make these statements become our reality and our future. Together, we can build an even better Idaho."— Tommy Ahlquist, Republican Candidate for Idaho Governor
On the Road in 2017–2018
Tommy's travel schedule during the campaign was relentless. In 2017 alone, he visited cities across Idaho from March through December — attending town halls, agricultural meetings, business roundtables, community forums, and political events from Bonners Ferry in the north to Montpelier in the south.
The One Idaho Tour in early 2018 brought the campaign into its final phase, with Tommy visiting cities across the state in the weeks leading up to the May primary. The tour culminated in major events including the Freedom Rally with national conservative leaders and packed rally events in cities across Idaho.