Candidate Profile- Mike Jorgenson

Birth date: Jan. 13, 1949

Profession: Business consultant (retired)

Educational background: Capitol HS Boise, Eastern Oregon University

Public service (elected or appointed offices): Hayden City Council President

Community service (service clubs, nonprofit boards, etc.): Many, over the years

How many years as a resident of your city: 11

Marital status: Married, Cynthia

Family: 2 children, 3 grandchildren with one more on the way

Hobbies: Fishing, golfing, boating and grand parenting

 Why are you running for office?

 It is a privilege to serve the people of northern Idaho in District 3.  I am running for office because I believe my common-sense conservatism is needed in Boise and I know it is what local citizens want and expect in state government.  I have gained this knowledge and understanding from my longtime involvement in our local area.  

What do you see as the three biggest issues you’ll face?

I believe the three biggest issues Idaho faces are the continued need to reduce the size of government and the waste it produces, the immense costs and burdens of illegal immigration and to find ways of promoting the creation of new good paying jobs and careers for our children and grandchildren.  I look forward to these challenges.

If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?

State government grew too large in the 1990’s.  Government is not the first answer to any problem, it is the last answer.  We have reduced the size of government 20% in the past two years and I see no signs of our state crumbling.  There was fat to cut and we must continue to make government more efficient for the taxpayers.

Fighting illegal immigration has been a battle of mine for many years.  My success has been educating my colleagues and the public about the scale of the problem and how it can be corrected.  It costs Idaho $200 million a year we don’t have.  The solution is for every company in Idaho to use E-Verify to root out the illegals.

I am a founding member of the Idaho Legislative Business Caucus, a group of legislators with a business background dedicated to helping small businesses grow and prosper here in Idaho.  This new group will work with the Department of Commerce and the Office of the Governor to draft legislation to create new jobs by reducing burdens on industry.

What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?

I feel well qualified to serve in the Legislature.  My background as a successful businessman, coupled with my native-born Idahoan understanding of our people and state serve me well in the Senate.  I understand the difficult legislative process and am able to devote the time required in Boise to do the job properly, which isn’t something everyone is able to do.

Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?

When choosing your elected leaders I believe it is important to select people who know the people, who have deep roots in the state and community and to have been proven to be a positive influence to their neighbors.  I believe my opponent has none of these positive attributes and I question is dedication to the state of Idaho.