I am running against a pervasive sense of entitlement that settled over Idaho government like a toxic fog. The politicians in the supermajority have become completely disconnected to regular Idaho people.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again: Idaho political leaders have become too extreme.

I am the only candidate who will oppose laws that limit our freedom.

I will never hide my decision-making behind closed-door committee rooms.

I will never refuse to share the public’s records with the public.

I will be a tireless advocate for public education.

I will stand up for librarians, kids, parents, and local decision-makers.

I will stand up for the rights of women to make personal reproductive medical decisions.

I will work to make Idaho’s economy give everyone a chance to succeed.

I will not support tax cuts for corporations that raise taxes for homeowners.

I will not let public lands be sold off.

I will not coddle militias and white nationalists.

I will stop the chaos that is so bad for business.

I will not let bullies push us around.

I will be honest, straight-talking and true.

I understand Idaho. I choose to live here and I’ve chosen to raise my children here. I have built my own successful business. I pay attention to the issues that matter to regular people. I always strive to make decisions that benefit us all.

We need to make a difference. Now. 

Please vote for me on Tuesday, May 17.

The post I am the only candidate who will fight for you appeared first on Terri Pickens for Idaho Governor.

On my campaign swing through Latah, Nez Perce, and Idaho counties, I heard a version of the same question again and again: why do Republican leaders want to make it harder for Idaho families?

This week, top GOP politicians proposed hiking the sales tax by 33 percent to 8 cents. Tack that onto historically high inflation and you get a bad idea that no regular Idahoan would have lobbied for.

Seriously. Why? Who wants that? Homeowners want tax relief, but not like that.

Folks wonder why on earth aren’t the politicians investing in our kids. Most parents agree that early learning is a big boost for kids. Most parents agree that if a school building needs fixed, then it should get fixed. All parents understand that politicians are the last people who should decide what kids learn. 

But Republican leaders in Boise decided to short schoolkids and give big dollars to big businesses instead. Well, in rural Idaho, anytime a school-roof springs a leak, the droplets splashing onto a kid’s desk represent what “trickle down” economics means to them. 

And by the way, the most unpopular political opinion around northern Idaho doesn’t come from Washington, D.C. It comes from one of my opponents for this job, House Speaker Scott Bedke. He has dedicated his public life to trying to sell our public lands.

People up here value hunting, fishing, hiking, ATVing, you name it. It’s where we play, and work, and teach our kids to be tough and self-sufficient. The other trait that Speaker Bedke lacks is the political courage to talk straight. If he ever did, he’d know that people love public lands.

I’d be remiss not to mention that this is part of the state where my other opponent, Rep. Priscilla Giddings lives. But she has hitched her wagon to former Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, who has made a mockery–literally–of her time in this position. People have seen that Giddings’ extremist views are likely to translate into an extremist kind of leadership that ignores the citizens of Idaho for the sake of splashy headlines and breathless fundraising appeals.

This part of the state is diverse: Moscow is a busy university town, Lewiston is a manufacturing center, and the growing community of Grangeville is a gateway to vast public lands. 

For their own reasons, hyper-partisan politicians will tell you that these neighbors are incapable of agreeing. That’s nonsense. I can tell you that they all want safe communities, well-built roads and bridges, good education for their kids, and they all want the government to stay out of their personal business. 

You know what else they agree on? 

They want politicians to stop making life harder. They want extremists out of government. And, I can tell you that I spoke with Independents, Democrats, and Republicans who say they are voting for me.

The post North Central Idaho: Why are politicians making life harder? appeared first on Terri Pickens for Idaho Governor.

That’s my wish for the 2022 Idaho Legislature that kicked off this week. What does a courageous Idaho leader look like? Look for the person who stands up to speak the truth.

If last year is any example, I am sure this year’s Legislature will offer our political leaders plenty of chances to show their mettle. Certainly, many will rise to the challenge. But among the ruling party, far too few have stepped forward. 

So far, Gov. Little has recommended addressing our maintenance backlog on state buildings, fixing dangerous and old bridges, funding some education priorities, and cutting taxes. Good for him. I thank the governor for kicking off the conversation.

Yesterday, a $600 million income tax cut was proposed, endorsed by Gov. Little. Obviously, the GOP majority will have a tax cut if they want a tax cut. At this point, I hope that same majority will have the courage to consider alternative ideas. Speaker Bedke should talk about why he thinks a tax cut that most greatly benefits the wealthy is more important than the broader benefit delivered with a food tax cut. That’s a good discussion to have. Everyone eats. Everyone pays food tax. Also, legislators explain why they believe an income tax cut is superior to tackling property taxes. I am sure plenty of homeowners would want to hear that discussion.

Right now, there’s a lot of jockeying for position since everyone in Boise is running for re-election, or at least has their favorites they are pushing to win. There’s no shame in standing up and trying to be heard above the clamor. Getting noticed is an important part of getting elected. But in a politician, that’s not courage. 

What I want to see are people standing up for Idaho families on the issues that matter today, now. I want to see leaders who have the courage to say no to nonsense. 

Last year, far too few stepped forward to block Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin’s “task force” designed to malign and intimidate public school teachers. As a parent, believe me, I am very concerned about what my children are taught in school. But no one in the Capitol was ever fooled by that blatant political ploy. Leaders, like Speaker Bedke, should have the courage and character to use their power to stop that kind of crass posturing. The Lt. Gov. should not be allowed to organize witch hunts on the people’s time with the people’s money.

It’s not easy to stand up to power. If courage were easy, we wouldn’t value it so highIy. Unfortunately, courage has become too hard for many of Idaho’s elected leaders. But, at this point in the session, we can still hope.

So, thanks ahead of time for our elected leaders who have the courage to speak the truth. I appreciate them and celebrate their commitment to honest public service. May the courageous few succeed, and may Idaho families be better for it.

The post Idaho’s Political Leaders Need Courage appeared first on Terri Pickens for Idaho Governor.

The post Terri Pickens Manweiler Lieutenant Governor Candidacy Announcement appeared first on Terri Pickens for Idaho Governor.