Eighteen speak at NIC forum

COEUR d'ALENE - There are clearly two types of Republicans running for state legislative seats on the primary ballot this May.

Eighteen candidates turned out Monday night to discuss state legislative issues at a political forum hosted by the North Idaho College Young Republicans and the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans.

All of the candidates aligned themselves with one of two sides on the issues: Those who want to resist and repeal federal involvement in state politics, and those who don't like federal involvement, but say the state still needs to deal with it.

Issues such as Common Core education performance standards and the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, dominated most of the discussions between candidates.

In Legislative District 2-A, incumbent Rep. Vito Barbieri said his main priority is to repeal Obamacare. His opponent Fritz Wiedenhoff does not support Obamacare, but said the Legislature made a wise decision to take it over rather than let the federal government control the health care exchange in Idaho.

"The Supreme Court says we are stuck with it for now," Wiedenhoff said. "At least Idaho is in the driver's seat on it."

Barbieri said the state exchange is a myth. He said the state simply set up a website to access the federal exchange.

Almost all of the candidates in attendance took similar stances on that issue.

Eric Redman is running for Legislative District 2-B against incumbent Ed Morse, who voted for the exchange last year. Redman said he would end both Obamacare and Common Core in Idaho.

"After much study, I have decided I want to end Common Core, and I am very focused on school choice," he said.

Morse said Idaho has what is called Idaho Core, a set of performance standards that guide local school districts in curriculum development. He supports that concept, saying it is locally controlled.

Education and economic development are important to Patrick Whalen, who is running against longtime incumbent Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, for Legislative District 3 senator.

"I think there are some problems that need to be solved in Idaho," Whalen said. "We need somebody who is going to go in with a solutions-oriented approach and try to get some of these problems solved, and not just take an ideological stance."

Nonini said his top priority will be education.

"I am a big proponent of parental choice," he said, adding that parents should have a range of educational options to choose from.

As far as Common Core standards, Nonini said he supports higher standards, but he is not sure if Common Core is the way to go.

"The Legislature passed it and we need to give it a chance," Whalen said.

Terry Werner is challenging incumbent Rep. Ron Mendive in Legislative District 3-A.

Mendive's top priorityis to get rid of Obamacare.

"Obamacare forces us to buy something we may or may not want to buy," he said, adding he is also interested in the state taking over federal lands and Second Amendment rights. "Those are the things that are near and dear to me."

Werner said his top priority is jobs and economic development.

"I think that we need to grow our economy," Werner said. "We need some good-paying jobs."

There is a three-way race for the open seat in Legislative District 3-B between Don Cheatham, Greg Gfeller and Jeff Ward.

Cheatham said his priorities are education, veteran issues, fiscal status of the community, jobs and healthcare.

"I am opposed to Obamacare, the state exchange and the expansion of Medicaid," he said.

Gfeller said he wants to provide effective representation in Boise.

"I am frustrated how the federal government tries to get involved in the state's business," he said. "We need to protect the 10th Amendment."

Jeff Ward said he has been fighting for conservative issues in North Idaho for several years. He opposes Obamacare, wants to focus on economic development by reducing regulations and taxes, and work on education issues.

As for Common Core, Ward and Cheatham want to repeal it. Gfeller said he is opposed to Obamacare, but the Supreme Court has ruled and it is the law.

"It's a bitter pill to swallow," Gfeller said, adding the Legislature was right to set up the state exchange rather than letting the federal government manage it.

In Legislative District 4-A, incumbent Rep. Luke Malek is being challenged by Toby Schindelbeck.

Schindelbeck said he would work to reduce regulations and taxes, eliminate the grocery tax, repeal the state exchange and eliminate urban renewal.

Malek would focus on economic development and smaller government. He said the state exchange and the common core issues are about local control.

Rick Currie is challenging incumbent Rep. Kathy Sims for the Legislative District 4-B position.

Currie said his priorities would be kids and jobs. Sims said jobs are a priority for her as well.

Sims said government doesn't create business, it just needs to get out of the way of business and lower taxes and regulations. She opposes both the state exchange and Common Core.

Currie said "the jury is still out" on Common Core, and he wants to wait and see what the new superintendent of Public Instruction has to say on the matter before taking a position.

As for Obamacare, Currie said the state exchange is better than the alternative.

"I don't like the exchange, but I darn sure don't like Obamacare," he said.

Mary Souza is challenging incumbent Sen. John Goedde for the District 4 Senate seat.

Souza said she will focus on the overreaching of the federal government and opposing the state exchange. Goedde said his priorities are education and jobs.

Goedde supports Idaho Core standards. Souza said she supports higher education standards, but she is opposed to Common Core.