Candidate profile: District 2 State Rep. Position A, Cheryl Stransky (D)

Profession:  Retired school counselor

Educational Background:  Bachelor of Arts and Master's Degree in Psychology.   Pupil Personnel Services Credential.

Community Service:  President of the North Idaho School Counseling Association.  Youth Soccer Coach.  PTO Vice-President.  Volunteer for local 4-H club.

How many years as a resident of your city:  27 years in Dalton Gardens

Marital Status:  Single

Family:  Two children, Erin and Conor.  Both my children received their education in the Coeur d’Alene Public Schools.

Hobbies:  Tennis, hiking, biking, reading, gardening.

1. Why are you running for office?

The State Legislature is out of balance. The moderates have been marginalized. A more radical group has rejected the idea of cooperative governance. We need balance in our attitudes toward working people, toward women, toward caring for the sick, toward educating our youth. For all these reasons and more, I decided to run.

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

The biggest issue is not really a legislative issue. It has to do with a change in the attitude of leadership in the legislature. Rather than stand on ideology and” make political statements”, we need legislators that work for the citizens of Idaho. Three critical issues I will focus on are: creating jobs, health care issues, and managing education reform.

3. If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues? Businesses need trained workers.  I will work with our colleges, training programs and private business to support a strong educational partnership. Reform in public education must raise standards, not lower them. Computers cannot replace quality teachers. Development of a state health care exchange involves a sincere effort to implement an effective model suited to the people of Idaho.

4. What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?

My career in school counseling involved helping students and families make decisions and find resources that impacted their entire lives. Securing scholarships, career planning, life planning, conflict resolution in sometimes volatile situations, has prepared me to identify problems, engage resources, and problem-solve in a variety of circumstances. This experience will stand me in good stead in the legislature.

5. Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?

My opponent has pursued a list of contentious issues including repeal of the 17th Amendment, return to the gold standard, and a “Nullification Law”.  This has been an irresponsible approach to state government. The issues we face will be solved when intelligent legislators work together with all Idahoans in mind.  I am interested in a unified Idaho that moves forward.