Macomber running for state House

COEUR d’ALENE — Idaho Legislature campaign announcements kicked off Thursday, and Republican Art Macomber said he’ll be running for the District 4 House seat currently occupied by Rep. Luke Malek.

“I know Art to be a smart, thoughtful person of great integrity and am excited he's offering his talents to Coeur d’Alene and the Legislature,” said state Sen. Mary Souza. “He has my strong support.”

“Art is a man of integrity and high moral character,” said Todd Banducci. “We’re looking forward to having someone of his caliber representing District 4, House Seat A.”

Macomber said he believes Idaho could do more to implement conservative solutions. He said he wants to reduce Idaho's reliance on the federal government, reduce health care costs and lower taxes.

Macomber said he was disappointed that last winter, the Legislature raised taxes in the middle of the night without allowing the public to comment on the proposal.

"People from Coeur d’Alene were basically told to keep their mouths closed but their wallets open. That's wrong," Macomber said. "Additionally, with a Legislature that's 80 percent Republican, we should have been able to solve Idaho's transportation issues without needing to raise taxes."

He pledged to always vote for low taxes and follow free market and constitutional principles.

Macomber is a lawyer whose firm has operated for a decade in Coeur d’Alene. He has clients in Idaho, Washington and Montana.

Additionally, he serves on the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee and is a member of the Federalist Society. Macomber and his wife, Leslie, have a daughter attending the University of Idaho in Moscow, and a son who is a student at Lake City High School.