With a week left until the mid-term elections only five days away, I felt like it was time to put in the plug for agriculture in this vital election. As you all may be aware, this is a very critical election and every ballot cast is as important as ever. If you ever thought about how this election will affect the farming community, you are among many. I want to give you a quick shake down of the elections starting with state candidates and ending with Latah County and District 6 races.
Something to keep in mind as you read through this is that no situation can be predicted fully in any election, so these are strictly my opinions. Farming is a tough game, the future soley depends on what happens today and corrections to mishaps in the industry take time to correct. With this in mind, it is critical who you mark on the ballot. This is how I will vote and why.
Governor: I start off with the Governor race, as it is the highest ranking office we will vote this cycle. Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter has done a great job balancing the Idaho state budget, often times at the cost of his popularity. Because of that, and because of his down-home experience, I believe he will provide solid leadership and will stand his ground. Has Butch done this his whole political career? No, but the guy has somehow remembered why he ran in the beginning and has straightened his attitude and record up. The prime example I will leave for you is the latest news in the Grey Wolf re-enlistment under the Endangered Species Act. In late August a judge in Missoula, Monatana overturned a previous ruling to release wolves from the ESA, citing mismanagement in Wyoming. This will be devistating to not only ranches, but to wildlife as well. Governor Otter wrote a letter to the Secretary of Interior telling him that Idaho and Montana had efficient plans on wolf management and had all the bases covered. He also told him that if the wolf decision was not overturned the management and funding for wolf protection would not be Idaho's responsibility. After no response and a lack of effort on the federal level, Butch pulled Idaho off of the wolf case and ordered Idaho producers to protect their livestock and Idaho sportsmen/women to protect themselves. He also stands against the Giant Palouse Earthworm Petition and actively participates in Ag Trade Missions across the world. This is what Idaho and America needs, therefore, I will be sending a good leader to Boise.
Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Controller: Brad Little, Ben Ysursa , Lawrence Wasden , and Donna Jones, Ron Crane will all make great candidates and uphold the platform that we as conservatives will need in this fight. I have never had a problem with any of them and I hope you learn more about them as you look at their websites.
State Superintendent: Tom Luna has a super-charged campaign and wants to take public instruction down the conservative path. I had the opportunity to meet him several times and I love his style. In Moscow a few weeks ago he gave a strong presentation of his plans to allow students and parents to have control over their education and give credit to those who excell. He supports performance based salaries which is a huge plus in my book. When I asked him about Ag education, his plan seemed weak. I know times are changing and 12 to 30 miles doesn't seem too far anymore, but if you promote consolidation as your Ag Ed policy, you may loose some votes. I hope to work with him a little more on Ag Ed and providing conservative opportunities to students.
United States Senator D1: Mike Crapo will make a great Senator for another term. Mike is a Mormon out of southern Idaho and was a lawyer most of his life. He has supported agriculture almost every step of the way and received the Friend of Farm Bureau Award from the American Farm Bureau Organization. This means that he voted no on Obamacare, no on the Energy Bill, and voted no on the Death Tax. I am proud to have a good relationship with this guy and I know that he will continue to support agriculture in the future. Look for great things from him.
United States Representative D1: Raul Labrador is the odd ball out on my list. His campaign slogan is "Proven Conservative Leadership" which is great. Raul is a stem from the infamous "Tea Party" movement which is something I have tried to distance myself from because I think most of them are a little too much for me. Raul wants to cut government down a considerable amount, which is something I have wanted for a long time. I simply think that there are too many chiefs and not nearly enough indians in this country (NO offense intended. I foresee some issues arising when it comes to farm subsidies and the CRP program, which very well could mean more farms up for sale and land values crashing. I have seen a positive light in Raul though, when it came to a conversation with campaign headquarters about the proposed GIPSA rule change, they were all ears and wanted to side well with the livestock producers and meat packing companies. In my opinion, I think he has a little work to do and from an ag stand point it will be tough for Raul to beat Congressman Walt Minnick who has an outstanding history of supporting agriculture.
Idaho State Senate D6: Gresham Bouma took Idaho by surprise and made the 18 year incumbent madder than a wet hen. This race has taken MANY interesting turns. Gresham didn't impress me when he came to speak to the Latah County Farm Bureau Board meeting back in March. I thought he was too weak to beat Schroeder, but came to like him as I saw his progression. I listened to him speak at the tax day rally at friendship square in Moscow and fell in love with the passion he had for his cause. This is something that I think we need. Gresham, a home builder by trade, has taken a front seat approach to listening to constituents and has been at almost every meeting I can think of. I am pleased with his activity and involvement in organizations within this district and don't think he will let us down after the election. What Gresham may lack in issue knowledge, he gains in trusting the people to educate him. I have seen him ponder and grow and I think his life experiences and his hard work will benefit agriculture like we did not see in Gary Schroeder. As a side note, Gresham is against farm subsidies by principles and I know he feels they cripple the free market system in farming, but I think he has enough in him to listen to producers and has the head on his shoulders to stand with the farmers, who are the real losers in food prices.
Idaho State Representative D6 Seat A: Tom Trail was a WSU professor with a history of voting both sides of the sandwich. He is very Pro-Ag, including his vote on funding all ag programs that benefit Palouse farmers directly. He once recieved the Cesar Chavez Human Rights Award.
Idaho State Representative D6 Seat B: Issac "Ike" Young is unconventional. I think he is the only candidate in the whole race that has no website or facebook page. Ike drives a cement truck for Atlas Cement, something that I have never heard of in politics. At first I thought Issac was nuts and that he was going to make the conservative movement look terrible if he got to Boise. I was at one point going to vote for his opponent, Shirly Ringo. Yes, I said it and I am not proud. But you are now officially informed, "I Like Ike." I have been watching Ike with a very distrustful eye this entire election, waiting for that "aha" moment where I could truly justify voting for a Democrat. Ike did the opposite. Through these last months we have seen almost anger turn into understanding, something we are still yet to see from President Obama. Ike wants to straighten government and hold people accountable; I agree with him 100%. When I asked Ike on education the first time he wanted to cut it all, but through time he has gained a solid understanding of where education needs to go and his plan looks very similar to Tom Luna's. I am very proud of Ike and I am making the dedication to keep on his side through this and support him when he gets to Boise. Idaho needs guys like Young and Otter to stand when it may not be popular.
Latah County Commissioner District 2: Bill Goesling works hard and is very dedicated. His whole campaign has been a focus on business growth in the county. Look at my blog from September for more on Bill.
Latah County Commissioner District 3: Dave McGraw is the man. I have become a great friend with Dave after 20 hours in the cab of his pickup. I believe with all my heart that Dave has what it takes and I hope you trust me on this one. Dave worked at St. John Hardware when it was Helbling Bros. and has done great things for the city of Troy. I love Dave like a brother and I pray for him and his wife a lot. Dave is pro business and has more experience, hands down, over Robin. Dave's main focus is making Latah County business friendly, and as a future Latah County farmer, I love that idea.
Latah County Assessor: Jerry Coleman is the vote and has lots of experience. With the future in land values and the need for business growth in the county, we will need someone who has actually done the assessing job. I have come to know Jerry and I think that this guy will be very fair in his work. I talked with him last night and he said that he has gotten grief over making public the unfair dealings of the current County Assessor, and I have to say, at least Jerry was honest enough to point out that the county assessor was giving himself a break. Dishonesty never has an excuse and it doesn't settle with me well. Grandma taught me better than to let something like that slide.
County Clerk, County Treasure: Susan R. Peterson and Lois Reed. Both outstanding ladies and uncontested. I would say that there is something to be said there.
Good luck to all who are running, you have my support. I do want to say though, just because you are not on my list, doesn't mean I don't like you. I have had the opportunity to meet and become friends with many of the candidates in all parties and I am pleased with those that are running.
My final words, Gary Schroeder needs to be careful which outhouse he lays his piles, he is farting in the wrong cages right now.
(Photo Credit: Mike Friddle/BlackBerry)
