
Caldwell Recall Comes Up Short but Nearly Doubles Previous Candidate Totals
By Greg Pruett • June 2, 2025The recall of Caldwell Mayor Jarom Wagoner and four city councilmembers has fallen short of the needed total, according to recall organizers.
Organizers tell the Idaho Dispatch that they cleared over 4,200 signatures but did not obtain the 4,984 signatures needed to trigger the recall. However, organizers say that the number of signatures gathered for each candidate was significantly higher than the number of votes they received in their last election.
Wagoner received 2,236 votes in his runoff against John McGee, but recall organizers say they gathered 4,298 signatures. Wagoner is facing a three-way race this November against Eric Phillips and current city councilmember Brad Doty.
Doty, who was also facing a recall, garnered 1,432 votes in his last election, yet 4,206 recall signatures were gathered according to organizers.
Councilmember Geoff Williams had 1,566 votes in his last election, but recall organizers say they gathered 4,174 signatures. Councilmember Chris Allgood had 4,126 signatures gathered against him, according to recall organizers; however, he received only 1,879 votes in his last election. Finally, Councilmember Mike Dittenber had 4,277 signatures gathered against him according to recall organizers, but received just 1,349 votes in the previous election.
Recall organizer Jim Hollis says that they did not turn in the recall petitions once they realized they would not clear the necessary number, because they were concerned about retaliation against those who signed it, and also did not want to burden the county clerk’s office with the paperwork.
Idaho Dispatch will reach out to the mayor and city councilmembers for comment and update this article if there are any responses.
Here is the press release from the recall organizers:
“In March, Jim Hollis, a lifetime Caldwell resident, initiated a recall petition for the mayor and four councilors in Caldwell. Due to state laws, it required 4984 “verified” signatures for each candidate by June 2nd, 5:00 p.m. The effort was aiming for 5500 because some could be thrown out. Unfortunately the total numbers fell short, but it’s not a complete failure. In the 2021 mayoral election, Jarom Wagoner garnered 2236 votes for a runoff against John McGee. In the recall effort, Wagoner won the count with 4298 signatures. Nearly double. Even though he won’t be eligible for recall, more wanted him recalled than the citizens that voted him into office. There is a similar message and count for the four Councilors. Brad Doty won Seat 1 with 1,432 votes and managed 4206 signatures. Geoff Williams was the victor for Seat 4 with 1,566 votes and amassed 4174 signatures. Chris Allgood captured Seat 5 with 1,879 votes and had the least amount of signers with 4,126 signatures. And, finally, Mike Dittenber won Seat 6 with 1,349 votes and yielded a whopping 4277 signatures. Granted, the recall fell a few hundred short, but significantly more voters want them out compared to the ones that wanted them in. That should send a clear message to those who were on the docket for recall.
During and prior to the process there were some questionable tactics: cease and desist letter, pressure tactics, messages that employees weren’t “allowed” to sign, citizens being harassed by private investigators. Because of this, to protect those that bravely signed and spoke out, the recall committee opted not to turn in the signatures. By doing so, it won’t cause the County Elections undue time and effort to count and verify, since we know it fell short, AND, the petitions will not become public record for possible retaliation.
Even though the recall fell short, these recall numbers can SIGNIFICANTLY influence a general election to help turn things around. The citizens of Caldwell, especially those that signed, need to vote in November, continue to press and push for more transparency, better decisions, less spending, and an informed look at the effects of massive developments on the infrastructure, schools, and community. This is a prime example of the need to spread the word. Pass the word and keep fighting for a better government.”
Tags: Brad Doty, Caldwell, Caldwell Recall, Chris Allgood, Eric Phillips, Geoff Williams, Jarom Wagoner, Jim Hollis, John McGee, Mike Dittenber