The Idaho Statesman, the state’s largest newspaper, has scrapped its old policy of only covering Democratic and Republican candidates (for office other than president) in advance of the Idaho primary. This year’s primary is on May 23. The paper is now covering minor party and independent candidates equally. This result was achieved after Andy Hedden-Nicely (United Party candidate for US House) had called for a boycott of the newspaper.

The United Party of Idaho has ballot status through the Natural Law Party. The Secretary of State has still not ruled on whether he will let the Natural Law Party change its name to the United Party. He says he is too busy to decide until after the primary. Idaho has permitted party name changes in the past.