UPDATES: Please see below (click "read more") for news of Boise and Coeur d'Alene kickoff events and information about Allred for Idaho house parties. Also, the Allred for Idaho website is online now.

Keith Allred will announce his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Idaho at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 17, in the Twin Falls High School gymnasium at 1615 Filer Avenue East. The public is encouraged to attend.

Former Gov. Cecil Andrus will introduce Allred, who is also expected to announce his Honorary Co-Chair.

Allred grew up in Twin Falls and graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1983.  He gave his first speech in the gymnasium when he was in sixth grade and spoke there often as student body president.

The Twin Falls event will be the only official announcement. However, two more kickoff events are planned:

Thursday, December 17 - Allred for Idaho rally at the Basque Center, 601 Grove St., Boise. 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Friday, December 18 - Keith and Christine Allred visit the Kootenai Democratic Club for its holiday party at the Iron Horse, 407 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene.

In addition, the Allred for Idaho campaign plans a series of house parties all over the state during the week between Christmas and New Years. Gather a group of friends to watch a DVD of Keith Allred's December 17 announcement speech and talk about the campaign.

If you would like to volunteer to host a party for a few of your friends, e-mail Betty Richardson at betty@richardsonandoleary.com or call her at (208) 938-7903. This will be a great way for you and your friends and neighbors to get to know Keith better.

Become a fan of Allred for Idaho at Facebook to stay on top of the latest campaign news. The campaign website will be online soon, too.