English running for Phil Hart's seat in state House

COEUR d'ALENE - Democrat and former Kootenai County clerk Dan English is running for the Idaho House seat now held by Phil Hart.

English acknowledges that people are allowed to hold any political views they want, and in Hart's case, have tax protesting views.

"But I don't think someone should be free to run term after term unchallenged when their belief and practices about our tax laws are so far out of line with ordinary, hard-working taxpayers who play by the rules, who pay their fair share, and expect everyone else to do the same," English said in his announcement speech Wednesday. "I can't imagine wanting to even give the appearance that I was somehow using the fact of being an elected office holder as a shield to avoid, or in any manner delay, the responsibilities and timelines that every other ordinary taxpayer must abide by."

Republican Ed Morse has already filed a declaration of candidacy for the Seat B position in Legislative District 2. Hart might not run for re-election.

"In Kootenai County, the decisions for most of our elected officials are made by a quite small percentage of the registered voters in the Republican primary election," English said in a prepared statement. "In most cases, if they even have an opponent, it is all over in May." said English, in a prepared statement.

He said that when the majority of the voters come out to make their choice, especially in presidential years when the turnout is more than 85 percent, they find they actually have no choice.

"I think that problem will be even more acute this year given our new closed primary law," English said.

English, 60, is a native of Kootenai County. He is the founder and former executive director of two local nonprofits, North Idaho Youth for Christ and Anchor House-Idaho Youth Ranch. He is the resident manager of Twin Lakes Friends Camp and is a licensed professional counselor. In the past, English has held positions as a city councilman, a sheriff's detective, a school board member, an adjunct faculty member at Lewis-Clark State College in the justice studies and social work programs, and as a volunteer fireman. He is a graduate of the Idaho P.O.S.T. Academy for sworn law enforcement personnel.

"Democrats have been criticized for not fielding enough candidates for the ballot," he said. "As a Democrat I accept that challenge."

He said it has been 10 years since there was a contested race on the general election ballot in the district.

"The three issues that will be most important to me are the same issues that I think most voters are concerned about," he said.

They include quality education that benefits all of our citizens, strong economic policies that focus on job creation, and the expectation of high ethical standards for our elected officials, he said.

During his tenure as county clerk, English served as the president of the Idaho Association of County Recorders and Clerks. He served as chair of their legislative committee and as a member of the Idaho Association of Counties Legislative Committee.

English was on the Idaho Secretary of State's election task force and was elected chair of the 110-member standards committee of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission which had representatives from all 50 states and the U.S. territories.

He and his wife, Cory, raised four children and have six grandchildren.

Two of his children were active duty military and served multiple tours in Iraq.

They live in the Twin Lakes area and are active members of Calvary Lutheran Church in Post Falls. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from San Jose State University and a master's degree in counseling psychology from Gonzaga University.