2020 CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE: Peter Riggs

NAME: Peter Riggs

RUNNING FOR: Legislative District 3, Idaho State Senate

CITY OF RESIDENCE: Mica Flats - Kidd Island Road

DATE OF BIRTH: 8-17-1979

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Lake City High School

University of Idaho, Bachelor’s degree

University of Idaho, MBA

MILITARY EXPERIENCE: NA

EXPERIENCE IN ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICES:

Kootenai County Republican Central Committee

Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association Board of Directors

National Restaurant Association Fast Casual Industry Council

International Franchise Association Franchise Action Network

Idaho Lodging and Restaurant Association Board of Directors

YEARS AS IDAHO RESIDENT: 40 (4th generation Idahoan)

FAMILY: My wife Tyree and our two sons, plus parents, sisters and their families, along with multiple aunts, uncles & cousins all living in Kootenai County

HOBBIES: Playing with my kids; Boarding Horses; Ranching; Boating; Water sports; Electronics

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE?

I’m running for Idaho State Senate in the May 19 Republican primary because the experience I can bring to the table is needed in our Statehouse today. I am conservative, a good listener, a proven problem solver, engaged in the community, and I grew up in this great state. My only agenda is to serve the hard-working citizens of District 3 as a thoughtful, dedicated and conservative representative in the Idaho State Senate.

Instilled with life-long conservative Republican values, I will never stop working to ensure the strongest possible future for Idaho. I’ve been working with other Idahoans to build businesses and provide local jobs that have made our community stronger, and I will continue to work with elected officials and citizens to move toward a smaller less intrusive government.

As a conservative, I will defend and expand the freedoms we’ve fought for, like the miracle of life and our Second Amendment. I will also fight for new and better solutions for education, growth, property taxes, healthcare, and other critical issues facing Idaho. The future of Idaho depends on the choices we make today.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THREE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES YOU’LL FACE?

1) PROTECTING OUR RIGHTS and FREEDOMS: The freedoms of Idahoans are being gradually diminished in the name of ever-expanding “well-intentioned” government at every level – federal, state, county and city. I believe deeply we need a smaller and less intrusive government and greater personal responsibility.

I firmly believe in the U.S Constitution, and its Bill of Rights, especially the First, Second, and Tenth Amendments protecting our right to free speech, our right to keep and bear arms, and ensuring that we can protect ourselves from Federal overreach.

I pledge to protect these freedoms.

2) MANAGING GROWTH WISELY: Public policy makers should develop conscientious strategies to manage growth. My great-grandparents moved here in the early 1930’s. My grandparents grew up here, and when my father was born here, he was delivered by the same doctor who would deliver me 25 years later. For four generations my family has witnessed change in Kootenai County. So much of our history was built on industries such as timber and mining. Yet the Kootenai County of today is remarkably different.

Post Falls and Rathdrum are two of the fastest growing cities in one of the fastest growing states in the country. We need to be deliberate in our plans to provide and maintain affordable homes and safe neighborhoods. We also need a new approach to rein in property tax increases that are putting longtime homeowners at risk of being unable to stay in their homes. Significant growth has been occurring in this area for well over 25 years, but our transportation system has not kept up. Roads and streets are too congested and simply adding more stop lights is not the solution. We need to plan ahead and act now, because change is inevitable …how we manage it is what will make the difference.

3) PROMOTING QUALITY EDUCATION: As stated in the Idaho Constitution, Article IX, Section 1:

“LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH SYSTEM OF FREE SCHOOLS. The stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it shall be the duty of the legislature of Idaho, to establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools.”

A priority for me will be to promote new approaches to create quality education and school choice opportunities, from traditional public schools to continued support for homeschooling, in order to give our children and communities the best future possible. I am honored to be a product of the education system in Idaho. The quality of the education we provide to our children directly correlates to the future we want to see in our state.

IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES?

As Idaho experiences unprecedented growth, we need to work together and give our future plans a level of thoughtful consideration which will be the foundation of our state for years to come. With an increasing number of residents of all ages, state and local government needs to provide basic services including public safety, quality school choices and well-maintained roads. We must make sure we are meeting our financial needs in a way that isn’t harming our community through runaway property tax increases.

When policy issues come before the Legislature for deliberation and voting, it is important to have a solid foundation of conservative values and a steady moral compass, and I have both. Idahoans are strong and capable people, and it’s important that we preserve our ability to forge our own paths based on the freedoms granted to us by God and the US Constitution.

WHAT SPECIFIC SKILLS OR EXPERIENCE QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS JOB?

Growing up in a conservative and politically active family that has been involved in numerous businesses, I have learned the lessons of listening closely, developing good plans and plenty of hard work. I enjoy solving problems. As the former President & CEO of Pita Pit USA, I have years of experience helping to build businesses in Idaho and across America. Growing businesses here, as well as coaching and teaching people to develop their own businesses, has given me valuable insight into the struggles and successes of individuals as well as small business. I’ve been on pro-business boards at the local, state, and national levels, working to create an environment where people have the freedom to develop their own businesses, and chase their version of the American dream.

WHY SHOULD VOTERS ELECT YOU, RATHER THAN AN OPPONENT?

I am conservative and sensible. Our region is growing and changing. Some residents say we must slow down or stop all growth, while other Idaho communities struggle with too few jobs, educational opportunities, healthcare and other services. We must remember that our growing community is not in its admired position by accident. Together, we have worked tirelessly to shape this community by making the transition from the sole reliance on traditional industries to increased employment in the areas of healthcare, tourism, education, and small business.

Today, our country is being threatened by a new and very serious threat, a foreign-born coronavirus. As we all have deep concerns about the health of our loved ones, the whole world is desperately waiting for the development of a new life-saving vaccine. Over the past two centuries, vaccines have saved more lives than any other medical technology. Unfortunately, there are those who oppose life-saving medicines; however, I believe in protecting human life of all ages.

Whether you’ve been here for five days or five generations, Idahoans have the opportunity to be part of shaping and building a stronger, more independent Idaho. As Idahoans, we are responsible for our own future, and our future depends on those who are not afraid of the hard work required to build a safe and resilient community. I am one of those Idahoans.

Equipped with a core foundation of conservative values, combined with proven listening and problem-solving skills, I will bring sensible conservative solutions to Idaho’s greatest challenges.

Medical experts suggest we exercise social distancing, so I encourage you to VOTE without leaving your house. Request an absentee ballot to make sure your voice is heard!

My name is Peter Riggs, and I humbly ask for your vote in the May 19th Republican Primary.

peter@riggsforidaho.com, 208-775-7383, www.riggsforidaho.com