LeFavour, Heileson file to challenge Rep. Simpson

BOISE (AP) — A Democratic state lawmaker from Boise and a tea party activist from Iona are among the fresh candidates ready to take on incumbent Rep. Mike Simpson in Idaho's 2nd Congressional District.

Simpson is a Republican seeking his seventh term in Congress.

His potential challengers include state Sen. Nicole LeFavour, the only openly gay member of the Idaho statehouse. Last month, LeFavour announced she would not seek a fifth term in the statehouse.

She says Congress has failed to adequately help the country emerge from the economic recession. Other Democratic candidates in the race include Jack Chappell of Buhl and Eldon Wallace of Boise.

Simpson will get a challenge in the May Republican primary from Marvin "Chick" Heileson, who ran against Simpson in 2010, collecting just 22 percent of the vote.