Race is on for Idaho governor
On Nov. 2, Idahoans will wake up and see who will lead the state for the next four years beginning in January. Here are the three candidates who have been featured in recent statewide debates. Other candidates on the ballot are Pro-Life of Letha, running as an Independent, and Ted Dunlap of Kuna, running as a Libertarian.
Tomorrow, The Press will feature contenders for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Keith Allred (D)
Birth date: Sept. 6, 1964
Profession: Mediator, president of The Common Interest
Educational background: B.A. in American History, Stanford University. Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior/Conflict Resolution from UCLA.
Public service (elected or appointed offices): None
Community service (service clubs, nonprofit boards, etc.): Leadership training for various community organizations. Served in Germany mission for LDS Church. Served twice as Bishop for local wards. Currently Sunday School teacher for local church.
How many years as a resident of your city: Six
Marital status: Married to Christine Allred
Family: Anna (7) Dan (6) Kate (2)
Hobbies: Horseback riding, hunting, fishing
1. Why are you running for office?
Idahoans are deeply frustrated that government is no longer about them but about protecting special interests and the power of political parties. I'm running to put the interests of everyday citizens first. As I've done as president of The Common Interest, I'll engage the citizens of Idaho in identifying and advancing practical solutions that are in our shared interests.
2. What do you see as the three biggest issues you'll face?
First, I would create new and better jobs by closing those tax exemptions that don't make sense to reduce overall tax rates. Second, I would improve our public education system by making specific investments in programs and reforms that experience has shown were cost effective. Third, I would work to make professional-technical training and higher education more affordable and accessible.
3. If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?
Jobs: First, I'll capture the pro and con arguments about every tax exemption in a policy brief. Second, I'll invite Idahoans to read the brief and say which ones should be closed. Third, I'll introduce legislation to close those exemptions and reduce overall tax rates. Finally, I'll partner with those everyday Idahoans to make sure that our bill passes.
Education: First, we should take a hard look at the investments we're now making. Are they giving us the return they should? Those that aren't need to be eliminated. Second, we should review the investments that we could be making. What investments have proven to be cost effective here or elsewhere that would be worth making in Idaho?
Technical/Higher Ed: I'd like to develop a system that identifies Idaho students who want to go to college, help provide them the skills they need and add incentives with scholarships that reward performance. Other states have used a system like this to greatly improve their go-to-college rates.
4. What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?
I'm a fifth-generation Idahoan who grew up in Twin Falls. When I was 16 and tough times hit the cattle market, I spent the summer working my Grandpa Gerber's 1,200-acre, 400-head cattle ranch on my own. That's where I learned hard work and practical problem solving. I've applied this ethic to my work with The Common Interest, solving Idaho problems.
5. Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?
I have a record, in my work with The Common Interest and as a mediator, of finding common-sense solutions that attract broad support where there has previously been controversy and discord. I have a record of working hard and working smart. Too often, Governor Otter's poorly considered choices actually contribute to controversy and discord rather than leading to solutions.
Jana Kemp (I)
Birth date: June 1965, Philadelphia, Pa.
Profession: Business Owner, 17 years
Educational background: BA in Business Administration
Public service (elected or appointed offices): elected Idaho Representative 16B, 2004-2006
Community service (service clubs, nonprofit boards, etc.): 4-H Volunteerism for 15 years; chamber involvements; Rotary for 10 years; Learning Lab volunteer and board member; senior programs board; Easter Seals Goodwill board; arts non-profit board.
How many years as a resident of your city: 10 in Garden City; 6 in Boise.
Marital status: Married
Family: 7 year old step-daughter, lives with us full-time.
Hobbies: Reading, writing, hiking, time with family and friends.
1. Why are you running for office?
Idaho needs to be a great place to live, work and get an education. With my action-oriented leadership, Idaho can rise from our current troubled times! My step-daughter is a fifth generation Idahoan: I would like her to be able to raise a family here. All of us deserve a better future than we are currently set up to experience.
2. What do you see as the three biggest issues you'll face?
Taxpayers have communicated at meetings, fairs and parades around the state these three major issues: loss of jobs which is leading to a loss of homes; education cuts that are hurting teachers and students; and the good-old-boy way of doing business that focuses benefits on them rather than on the well-being of Idaho and us as taxpayers.
3. If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?
As Governor, I will ask taxpayers and state employees the thousands of difficult budget and performance questions that are needed to hold government accountable; then I will work with them as the experts they are to find short- and long-term solutions that will improve the state's budgets and performance achievements. Job creation will be pursued by supporting the brainpower and innovation that is already in Idaho, as well as bringing companies to Idaho that match our values. Educational improvements begin with early childhood education, K-3 classroom sizes being smaller, all teaching and curriculum methods being improved for 21st century students, and getting rid of No Child Left Behind by the end of my term. Government business as usual is not working: I will build on my Legislative and community work to hold accountable those who engage in self-serving deal-making and to uncover truth about state government operations. As Governor, I will build on my Legislative voting record by being a thorough reviewer of all bills I'll be asked to sign: and when I veto a bill, everyone will know why.
4. What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?
Business Administration degree and 17 years of small business ownership, along with serving as Idaho Representative 16B, 2004-2006. Leadership by both collaborative and command-and-control skills. Graduation from Idaho's Police Academy in 2002. Being able to glean best-possible solutions from multiple sources and building an implementation plan that achieves effective results.
5. Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?
I am not owned by anyone or any party. I will serve Idahoans. My 17 years of for-profit business ownership. My 2005-2006 Legislative independent voting record and that I read every bill before voting. I have been available for more than 300 hours at Idaho Fairs and Parades from the North Idaho Fair to Bannock county and in between.
C.L. "Butch"
Otter (R)
Birth date: 5/3/1942
Profession: Governor; 30-year business career with the J.R. Simplot Company
Educational background: BA, College of Idaho
Public service (elected or appointed offices): Governor, 2006-present; three terms in Congress representing 1st Dist. 2000-2006; Idaho Lt. Governor, four terms; Idaho Legislature, representing Canyon County, 1973-1976
Community service (service clubs, nonprofit boards, etc.): Member of the National Rifle Association, the Maple Grove State Grange, the Idaho Cowboys Association, and the Idaho 4-H Million Dollar Club. A Grand Slam member of Ducks Unlimited, Lifetime member of Safari Club International, was elected to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Board of Directors in Oklahoma City in 1991, and is a lifetime member of American Legion Post 113 in Meridian.
How many years as a resident of your city: Lifelong Idahoan, resident of Star for 16 years
Marital status: Married
Family: Wife, Lori; Four children, five grandchildren
1. Why are you running for office?
We've been tested and toughened by adversity, and I'm eager to take on the challenges ahead. To meet them we must maintain a family- and business-friendly tax and regulatory environment that nurtures innovation and creation of career opportunities. We must keep working to ensure State government is efficient, responsive and living within the people's means. And we must not let the federal government impose unfunded mandates and unwanted restrictions on the people of Idaho.
2. What do you see as the three biggest issues you'll face?
* Improving our economy and creating more career-path jobs
* Improve public education and opportunities for all Idaho students
* Protecting our citizens from an increasingly intrusive federal government
3. If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?
I will keep pursuing our Project 60 goals - creating career-path jobs by growing Idaho's economy. That means maintaining a stable, predictable tax and regulatory climate; ensuring State government keeps getting more effective, efficient and responsible in using taxpayer dollars; improving educational opportunities for Idaho's young people and mid-career workers, and working to protect the rights and freedoms of Idahoans against threats to our sovereignty, lifestyle and livelihoods.
4. What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?
What you see is what you get. I am Idaho, through and through. I am a father, grandfather, husband and son. I am seeking the privilege of serving you as Governor because I have a deep and abiding belief in the power of every individual to make a difference - in their communities, their state and their nation. I have a great reverence for the Constitution and the ideals of those who framed it, and I know that ensuring America's future greatness is up to states like Idaho.
5. Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?
Please see response to question four.