The “American Redoubt” movement, where Christian conservatives from elsewhere have found a safe haven in Idaho’s Panhandle, has gained some traction in Bonner and Boundary counties in the far northern part of the state.

We’ll see on Nov. 8 if this movement has conservative staying power.

Two years ago, the Redoubt group made a big splash in the District 1 Republican primary – electing Heather Scott of Blanchard and Sage Dixon of Ponderay to House seats, and almost defeating longtime Sen. Shawn Keough of Sandpoint. All three Republican incumbents have opposition in this year’s general election, with Scott’s seat being one of the most closely-watched legislative races statewide.

Dixon, whose political views overall are closer to Scott than Keough, faces opposition from Democrat Stephen Howlett. But Dixon, with his congenial nature, has won over some mainstream Republicans -- including former Rep. George Eskridge, whom Dixon defeated two years ago. But Eskridge says he’s not supporting Scott in her race against Democrat Kate McAlister of Sandpoint.

“I think Kate would be a better representative for our district,” Eskridge says.

McAlister, a 22-year resident of Bonner County who is making her first run for public office, has held some high-profile positions in the community. She has served six years as president and CEO of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce and more than three years as a member of Sandpoint’s urban renewal commission. She’s aiming directly at Scott and the Redoubt movement.

“The reality is that they want to pull us back rather than move us forward,” McAlister said. “She (Scott) votes no on highways and byways and she votes no on education. Our community wants those things. We want our children to be well educated, and we need our highways.”

Scott is avoiding media contact during this campaign, declining interviews and media invitations to participate in campaign forums. McAlister said that Scott, in her two years in office, has declined to participate in chamber events – which is an unusual posture for politicos in a small community.

But Scott, who is one of the stars of the Redoubt movement, has plenty of supporters – and not just in North Idaho. The conservative-based Idaho Freedom Foundation puts her at the top of the list of legislators in its “freedom” index, which grades legislators on a variety of issues. If the Redoubt movement has a star, it’s Scott.

“Two years ago, you placed your trust in me because we share the same concerns about the losses of our freedoms, the constant overreach of the federal government, the attacks on private property rights, the diminished rights of parents in public education and the growth of big centralized government in Idaho,” Scott says on her campaign web page. “I stood as the tip of the spear on the House floor in fighting against crony capitalism, special perks for elected officials, the insertion of international code into our state law, and the unconstitutional use of our tax code to legalize gay marriage.”

She promises to support efforts to repeal the state’s health care exchange and oppose Medicaid expansion and work toward bringing about state control of federal lands.

McAlister gives Scott credit for having strong convictions, but says they are not the right ones for the district. McAlister boasts of having broad support for her campaign, and thinks she would have a strong working relationship with Keough – something that Scott does not have.

Keough, when asked if she were endorsing Scott in this election, declined to comment. That “no comment” speaks volumes.

“From what I understand, Heather doesn’t work with anybody,” McAlister said. “I tend to be a collaborative person, and that’s what I believe the political system is lacking right now. We need to keep in mind the common goals rather than personal agendas.”

If the election comes down to personalities, give the decisive edge to McAlister, who relishes hosting house parties and organizing chamber events. Scott has solid working relationships with like-minded conservatives, but wins no popularity contests otherwise.

But don’t underestimate Scott, the power of incumbency, or the tenacity of the Redoubt movement in this part of the state. The sheriff’s office and other authorities have been investigating whether Scott supporters are connected with instances of harassment and intimidation against Democratic volunteers.

“They are not very nice people,” McAlister said of the Redoubters.

Chuck Malloy, a long-time Idaho journalist, is a columnist with Idaho Politics Weekly and an editorial writer with the Idaho Press-Tribune.