Leading Idaho Democrat contends Clinkingbeard is not a viable CD1 candidate
Cynthia Clinkingbeard remains in the Ada County Jail Sunday night on charges of aggravated assault.
Clinkingbeard allegedly walked into the Staples office supply store on Eagle Rd. and Chinden Blvd. in Boise Friday night and made verbal threats to several employees before pulling out a gun.
Clinkingbeard, a candidate for federal office in Idaho, has had a history of mental illness. She has bipolar disorder and in 2005 her illness led to the revocation of her medical license in both Idaho and Washington.
Clinking beard filed her candidacy for Congress only last weekend. Clinkingbeard is on the May primary ballot as a democrat to square off against Jimmy Farris for the chance to battle Rep. Raul Labrador for Idaho's first congressional district seat.
Larry Grant, the chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party said he never met Clinkingbeard, but after she decided to run to challenge Congressman Labrador, Grant did some research. "Once Cynthia filed for her candidacy I made some inquiries," Grant said. "It was clear she had some mental problems."
In lieu of Clinkingbeard's troubles with the law, Grant lobbied for greater funding from state lawmakers dedicated to the mental health field. "If she had mental issues, what was she doing with a gun?," Grant asked. "In the last few years we've cut some funds that would have mental health folks, maybe we need to spend a little more time with that?"
Idaho's Democratic Party Chairman said Clinkingbeard was never a viable democratic candidate for the CD1 race. The state party has endorsed Lewiston's Jimmy Farris, a former NFL football player to challenge GOP incumbent Raul Labrador.
Clinkingbeard will be arraigned Monday afternoon.
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