The forces trying to call Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna and two legislators fell short, substantially short, in their petition drive today. They ran out of time with not enough signatures.
No surprise; that outcome was pretty widely predicted. Recalling public officials beyond the level of a small city is very difficult in Idaho, and rarely happens (as, in our view, ought to be the case). No statewide official has ever been recalled in Idaho.
The recent referendum effort, which was prompted by the same issue as the recall - Luna's public school overhaul proposals passed by the Legislature this year - are a different matter. Those are headed for the ballot, are very much alive and their future may be in the hands of the campaign ahead.
Which is where the larger-scale recall effort could come back into play. An enormous number of names were needed to force a recall, more than for the referendum. Now those names are available. The basis for a large and highly active and maybe successful organization could well have been put together in this unsuccessful effort.
It may not turn out that way. But the potential is there.
