Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Best choices in Tuesday's primary election


Most political headlines these days are dominated by issues involving the U.S.-Mexico border, war in Iraq and Afghanistan, government agencies secretly collecting phone data, and the economy.

But vital issues requiring solutions still face elected officials in Idaho.

The following Republican and Democrat candidates are best qualified in their parties to shoulder the responsibilities facing offices for which they're running.

Republican Primary

For Governor, C.L. "Butch" Otter: Now a U.S. congressman, Otter has also served as lieutenant governor and as a member of the state Legislature. The depth and breadth of his experience with state issues recommend him over his rivals.

For State Controller, Royce Chigbow: As a Certified Public Accountant, Chigbow has the professional preparation to understand the complexities of finance and widespread state accounts.

For Attorney General, Endorsement Withheld: Although incumbent Lawrence Wasden is likely to be re-nominated, we withhold a recommendation because of the costly and unsuccessful litigation he waged in two high profile cases. One was to spare the Legislature from proper statewide funding of school repairs. The other involved a parental-consent abortion law thrown out by the federal court.

For Superintendent of Public Instruction, Steve Casey: As principal of the 1,500-student Coeur d'Alene High School, he has a working knowledge of several levels of state education--the classroom as well as the administration of a large school and its needs.

Democrat Primary

For Governor, Jerry Brady: His principal issue--guarding public lands-- and his one-time work as assistant to Idaho's U.S. Sen. Frank Church, the patriarch of modern wilderness legislation, positions him well to deal with a contentious challenge in Idaho. He will be instrumental in deciding whether public lands should be exploited for development or even sold to pay national debt.

For Lt. Governor, Dan Romero: Although serving in the shadow of the governor, the lieutenant governor nevertheless can shape public policy. Romero's goals are to see more alternative energy sources, such a wind power and bio-fuels, developed in Idaho for Idahoans.

For Superintendent of Public Instruction, Bert Marley: As a state senator from McCammon and a longtime teacher at Marsh Valley High School, Marley has a wide angle view of education from legislative policies that shape instructional curricula to the classroom where it's instituted.

For Blaine County Commissioner, Larry Schoen: In the hotly contested open seat, Schoen's public record as chair of the Blaine County Planning & Zoning Commission and active participation in policy development elsewhere in county affairs shows him to be prepared and serious about serving local citizens.




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