One aspect of Tuesday's primary election watchers will closely follow is signs of how much the tea party has reshaped the state's Republican Party.
Tea party activists are frustrated by what they see as incumbent Republicans not being conservative enough on issues like taxes and the federal stewardship of state lands.
At the forefront of the primary election is the closely contested gubernatorial race between two-term incumbent Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and state Sen. Russ Fulcher of Meridian.
Like most incumbents running for re-election for a statewide post, Otter faces a challenger favored by tea partiers. Tea party favorites are also running competitive races for secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction and attorney general as well as for congressional seats.
