Express Endorsements

Not all elections make a huge difference in people’s lives. This one will.

Those elected to open seats for governor, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House will shape life in the state for decades to come.

At stake are good public education, sound school buildings, the extinction of salmon, and protection of Idaho lands.

The newspaper recommends:

For U.S. Senate, Bill Mauk (D): Mauk is the underdog in the race against Congressman Mike Crapo (R), who wants a promotion. Crapo’s voting record differs little from the radical, right-wing Helen Chenoweth. Crapo talks about the environment, but does nothing to protect it. Mauk would provide wise strategies for jobs, education and a healthy environment.

For U.S. Congress Dist. 2, Richard Stallings (D): This moderate is seeking to recapture the seat he left when he ran for the U.S. Senate. His experience means he could hit the ground running instead of spending a year learning the ropes. The former history professor is a bright problem-solver who balanced competing interests and did a good job for the state. He ought to get the chance again.

For Governor, Bob Huntley (D): The brainy former Idaho Supreme Court justice offers clear choices on real issues. He favors protecting education funding from erosion by vouchers for private schools. He favors breaching four dams to avoid extinction of salmon and steelhead. He favors increasing funding for teachers and new schools by closing sales tax loopholes. Dirk Kempthorne (R) opposes all of these positions, yet offers little but the status quo.

For Lt. Governor, Sue Reents (D): This part-time office is a bully pulpit that could be used for leadership on any number of issues. The pulpit has been silent under incumbent Butch Otter (R). Reents wants to use it for encouraging better care and better education for children in Idaho.

For Attorney General, Al Lance (R) Lance has done a credible job as the state’s primary legal counsel. The fact that he returned money from his office to the state’s general fund strikes us as a good thing, as long as the state continues to get good legal services.

For Secretary of State, Jerry Seiffert (D): This is a key position on the State Land Board, which leases and trades lands to raise money for public schools. The former three-term Ketchum mayor would help break the grip of private interests that have kept revenues down. Seven-term incumbent Pete Cenarrusa (R) needs a term limit. (Note: Seiffert is employed at this newspaper. His wife, Pam, is the publisher.)

For State Controller, J.D. Williams (D): Incumbent Williams has run a sound office and there’s no case to be made for unseating him. He’s well-equipped to head the office as it enters the 21st century.

For State Treasurer, Latham Williams (Reform): A Ketchum banker, with a master’s degree in real estate, he is well qualified to watch over and invest the state’s money. He has promised to reduce costs and to cut his own salary by 25 percent. Opponent Ron Crane, a Republican legislator, is so confident he will be elected, he failed to participate in the sole televised debate with Williams.

For Superintendent of Public Schools, Marilyn Howard (D): This innovative veteran educator would return credibility and good management to an office where incumbent Ann Fox (R) is famous for poor planning, wacko refusals to accept federal money for important school programs and ineffective lobbying. Howard is an able advocate who could improve and protect public education.

For Idaho Supreme Court Justice, Michael Wetherell: A lawyer and Boise City Councilman, Wetherell has displayed a judiciousness in public life that would serve him well on the court. His level-headed approach to legal issues is scholarly and non-partisan. He would be a good addition to the bench.

For Dist. 21 House of Representatives, Wendy Jaquet (D): Jaquet has represented the district well and should be returned to office. One of a handful of Democrats in the Legislature, she has earned a reputation for steering issues away from radical right-wing ideologies toward practical solutions. She is a leader on education and children’s issues. She faces a last-minute write-in candidate.

For Blaine County Commissioner, Len Harlig: This two-term incumbent opposes opening up the valley to unconstrained development. He has tried to balance growth with environmental protection, and to ensure access to public lands. He has championed innovative solutions for complex problems. Independent challenger Sue Noel would encourage dense growth valley-wide with a sewer line from Ketchum to Bellevue. Ivan Swaner (R) has too little experience.

For Blaine County Assessor, Valdi Pace: As a professional private appraiser, Pace knows property values and offers to bring a gentle hand to the always thorny subject of land values and property taxes.