Duane Rasmussen to seek Clark House seat

COEUR d'ALENE - Duane Rasmussen already has a few ideas of what he would do if elected to the Legislature. But then, working with laws is nothing new to him. "I've been around a capitol before, I've worked for two attorney generals. I've done federal litigation," the 56-year-old said. "I'm experienced in the environment Boise provides." An attorney for 31 years, the Hayden Republican declared his candidacy this week for the House seat that will open up when Rep. Jim Clark retires at the end of this legislative session. Rasmussen, who has lived in Kootenai County for 15 years, said his platform includes a little bit of staying the course and steering clear of potential problems. "I think there are a lot of issues that could well use a person with experience in the law," he said. Born in Nebraska, Rasmussen was raised in several states as his clergyman father constantly moved for work. In the '70s, Rasmussen obtained a bachelor of arts in business and history from Andrews University in Michigan, then a law degree from Oklahoma City University. His legal background includes representing the Oklahoma Tax Commission at a federal district and circuit court level, as well as at the Oklahoma Supreme Court. He also worked for two Oklahoma attorneys general consecutively in the late '70s, and in the early '80s he worked for the Oklahoma court of criminal appeals and later acted as the assistant district attorney. After moving to Coeur d'Alene in 1994 and later transitioning to Hayden, he established himself as a Spokane area lawyer. Rasmussen's background in politics, he said, stems from his years lobbying against a prison work-release facility in Hayden in the early 2000s. "I've seen a lot in regard to criminals, I was just concerned for my daughter's safety," he said, adding that he figured anyone at the facility could "put jogging pants on" and make it to his home. "I would go and show people pictures of my daughter and say, 'This is my client.'" His mission at the Legislature, he promised, would be ensuring taxes don't go up. He even sees potential for lowering taxes, he added, through tighter regulation of urban renewal districts. "What we have is people who are unelected sitting on urban renewal boards, directing how much money is going to be diverted from our county," he said. "I think if it were watched and was controlled, people could realize a decrease in their property taxes." He also hopes to prevent Idaho from being saddled with too much financial burden in water rights negotiations between Idaho and Washington. "I'm concerned there may be some (issues) which could cause a lot of expense for the people of North Idaho in regard to cleaning up that water," he said. "I don't want the people of Hayden to be paying astronomical sewer bills, and I don't think they have to." Now divorced, Rasmussen has a 17-year-old daughter, Sarah, who lives with her mother in Oklahoma. Rasmussen has close ties with his siblings who live in the area, he said. He is a member of the Idaho Republican central committee, as well as president of the Pachyderm Club, he said. He plans to make an official announcement of his candidacy after filing with the state, he said. "I think I can get up to speed quickly on things," Rasmussen said. "The Legislature obviously is in the business of passing laws and dealing with regulation, and I have experience with that."