Candidate Profile-Dennis A. Engelhardt
Birth date: Feb. 6, 1952
Family: Married, six children, six grandchildren
Military: United State Marine Corps, Vietnam veteran
Profession: Retired Law Enforcement Administrator (Sheriff’s Office Captain)
Education: Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, Bachelors Degree in Education & Training, 20 years experience with public budget management
Other Public Service: Bonner County Waste Management Board (2008)
Community Service: Festival at Sandpoint Volunteer (2004-2008)
Hobbies & Interests: Archery, Hunting, Fishing, Hiking
Why are you running for office?
Idahoans deserve a common sense representative who will reduce taxes and government spending while resisting the temptation to grow government during good economic times. A representative who will oppose federal mandates, promote the sovereignty of Idaho, protect the rights of Idahoans and gain control of our land from the federal government. I intend to be that kind of representative!
What do you see as the three biggest issues you’ll face?
- Private sector job retention and creation.
- Meeting Idaho’s Constitutional balanced budget requirement.
- Protecting Idaho's, rights, economy and natural resources from federal intrusion.
If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?
Private sector job retention and creation. Private businesses are the backbone of our economy and the only real creators of jobs. I would revitalize Idaho’s economy and job market with legislation that supports private businesses, by making them more profitable, facilitating improvement of Idaho’s transportation and transmission infrastructures and equipping future workforces with an education that is practical and relevant to the challenges of life.
Meeting Idaho’s Constitutional balanced budget requirement. Idaho's economy will not support a tax increase which means government spending will have to be reduced further. State agencies, particularly those which consume the bulk of the state's revenues, need to consider administrative and operational restructuring with an emphasis on consolidation.
Protecting Idaho's rights, economy and natural resources from federal intrusion. Support and/or introduce legislation that underscores Idaho’s sovereignty and obligation to promote the rights of it’s citizens and health of it’s economy. Join in legal action with sister states that contests the legal authority of the federal government to interfere with or regulate intrastate commerce.
What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?
Common sense, honesty and integrity.
Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?
I want less government in the lives of people and more accountability in the government we have. I am a common sense conservative who is not motivated by political favors or interested in a long political career.