Bannock County, ID

[HAnnA MArin County]

What's up with this county? It seems to be somewhat of an anomaly in how unusually Democratic is it (in Idaho standards). It is in no way a Democratic stronghold like Blaine County, or one of the other top-tier Democratic-leaning counties like Teton and Latah, but it does seem to be one of the most Democratic friendly counties in Eastern Idaho. Here are some recent election results in Bannock County.

Governor - 2010
Butch Otter (R) 48.01
Keith Allred (D) 45.06
Jana M. Kemp (I) 4.83

President - 2008
John McCain (R) 54.62
Barack Obama (D) 41.74
Ralph Nader (I) 1.37

Governor - 2006
Jerry Brady (D) 52.72
Butch Otter (R) 43.30

In the heavily GOP-dominated Idaho state legislature, Bannock County is completed represented by Democrats.

Idaho House
District 30: Roy Lacey (D-Pocatello)
Elaine Smith (D-Pocatello)

Idaho Senate
District 29: Diane Bilyeu (D-Pocatello)
District 30: Edgar Malepeai (D-Pocatello)

Analyzing the county even more, I found this on the Wikipedia page, which may explain it:

Like other Eastern Idaho counties, Bannock County has a significant Mormon population which strongly tends to vote Republican. However, a substantial trade union presence in the county - as well as the Idaho State University community - often gives Democrats an overall advantage, especially in local races. Bannock County routinely elects more Democrats than Republicans to county-level offices. The last Democratic candidate for President to win the county was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, although subsequent Republican victories have been by smaller margins than those in neighboring counties.


Any Idaho residents on here familiar with the politics of Pocatello/Bannock County to give us some home-field insight into why this county is so unlike the other staunchly red counties it borders?