Candidate profile: State Rep. District 3, Position A: David B. Larsen (D)

Birth date:  2/11/39

Profession:  Retired High School Mathematics Teacher, NIC adjunct math instructor

Educational background:  BA Math Education;  M ED Educational Administration

Public service (elected or appointed offices):none

Community service: Art on the Green, help with some of the library’s citizen adult education efforts, the Panhandle Coalition, the Common Interest

How many years as a resident of your city:  I live in the county and have been a full time citizen for the past 16 years.

Marital status:  Married Roberta in 1967.

Family:  Roberta, 3 grown children, 2 grandchildren

Hobbies:  Gardening, skiing, golfing

1.       Why are you running for office?  

True representative government gives the electorate choices for those they wish to represent them.  Our extreme one-party system in Idaho often denies citizens the choice for alternative representation in elections.  I am running to give moderate citizens and citizens who might not otherwise vote the opportunity to cast a ballot.  

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

               a.  Low voter turnout based on Idaho moderates and independents simply not going to the polls because they don't think their votes matter.

              b.  Protecting public education.

              c.  Helping Idaho to achieve a balanced budget by considering the elimination of many of the sales tax exemptions the legislature has created resulting in over $2 billion in revenue lost to the state.    

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

        By electing a Moderate Democrat, the citizens will recognize that true representative government requires representation by more than extremist Republicans.  Moderation in all things is a pretty good law to live by and certainly it should apply to political bodies.  I will be a voice of moderation and contemplation, not a puppet!

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

   Having worked with students in their early to late teens as well as adult NIC students has given me the skills helpful in dealing with legislators!

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

Because they undoubtedly have seen the need for a change in the way the legislature behaves.  That change can occur only if the citizens send representatives to Boise who will not simply be pawns to the existing power structure.