IDAHO FALLS — Republican incumbent Barbara Ehardt is being challenged by Jeff Thompson within the upcoming major election to symbolize District 33, Seat A.

To be taught extra concerning the candidate’s platform, EastIdahoNews.com despatched the identical eight questions to every legislative candidate. Their responses had been required to be 250 phrases or much less. Their solutions are listed beneath.

Extra data on Ehardt will be discovered on her Fb web page.

Extra data on Thompson will be discovered on his Fb web page.

District 33 covers Idaho Falls and a piece of Bonneville County.

Inform us about your self — embody details about your loved ones, profession, training, volunteer work and any prior expertise in public workplace.

Ehardt: I’m a fifth-generation Idahoan who was born and raised in Idaho Falls. Because of this I’ll rise up for our Christian-based, flag-waving, Structure-loving, law-abiding, pro-family, gun-toting, hard-working, neighbor-helping, never-give-up angle – which has outlined Idahoans for over 100 years.

Most individuals know that I performed Division I basketball at Idaho State after taking part in at North Idaho Faculty. I then coached Division I basketball for 15 years at 4 unbelievable establishments – UC Santa Barbara, BYU, Washington State and because the Head Coach at Cal State Fullerton. I additionally taught lessons at two of those faculties.

I run a small enterprise centered on basketball – Coach E’s Camps & Clinics. This contains working & teaching a high-level journey boys’ basketball program. I’m additionally employed at Membership Apple as one of many managers/administrators over Youth Programming.

Not everybody understands the facility of a coach. I coach and mentor our youngsters as a result of greater than anybody else (in addition to their mother and father), coaches change and affect the lives of our youth! This in flip will change our future. The youngsters I coach change into my youngsters. Many name me their second mother. Youngsters want somebody to imagine in them. I imagine in them and I imagine in what they are going to do for our future.

I additionally served on the Idaho Falls Metropolis Council from 2014 to 2018.

Thompson: I used to be born in Harlingen, Texas, and grew up on a farm in Kentucky. My Dad was from Kentucky and when he joined the Airforce he was stationed in Harlingen. My Mother and Dad met on the native Dairy Queen and fell in love. As soon as married, they moved to Kentucky, and when Mom was anticipating me, she went again to Texas searching for the consolation of her mom.

I grew up on a farm the place we raised registered black angus cattle and had a freezer filled with grain feed beef. We additionally raised hogs and processed them, subsequently, curing our personal hams, bacon, making our personal sausage and rending lard.

I labored for the Marriott Company and ARAMARK within the Foodservice Contract enterprise in addition to Fantastic Host Company that introduced me to Idaho. I met Chanin Bargelski in Idaho Falls and we quickly married. She and our pet Izzy made my life full.

All through my life, training has been a prime precedence. Not solely do I’ve a highschool diploma, however a bachelor’s diploma in Enterprise Finance and an MBA from Liberty College, additionally a grasp’s diploma in Human Useful resource Coaching and Growth from ISU.

It was my pleasure and honor to serve within the Idaho Home of Representatives from 2008-18. Throughout this time, I used to be in a position to function the Chairman of Atmosphere, Power and Know-how, Vice-Chair of Enterprise in addition to serving on JFAC, Tax, Training and Well being & Welfare Committees.

What are your proudest accomplishments in your private life or profession?

Thompson:

• A. The primary factor in my life shouldn’t be an accomplishment it’s a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I say this as a result of there was nothing I might do to perform this. It was all by His grace and love.
• B. I’m blessed with a tremendous and fantastic spouse, Chanin Thompson. She taught English and Historical past to seventh and eighth graders at Eagle Rock Junior Excessive for 16 years. One night throughout dinner she expressed, “It’s my hearts need to be a college counselor.” She began the following semester at ISU and has adopted her dream of being a highschool counselor at Bonneville Excessive Faculty for the final 14 years. She received out of her consolation zone and blossomed like a butterfly. Our love for training has enabled us each to proceed to be taught new issues
  and problem ourselves.
• C. Profession clever once I turned a regional supervisor for Fantastic Host and ARAMARK Firms and was accountable for the Northwest a part of the nation from Wyoming to Alaska.
• D. Having the ability to serve the individuals of Idaho Falls and Bonneville County within the Legislature from 2008-18.
• E. Investing in individuals’s lives and having the ability to make a distinction.

Ehardt: Such as you, I’ve differing “proud” moments. I’m most proud and honored to have acquired the belief of my group to serve these final two phrases as your Consultant. The boldness, expectation and belief which were positioned in me are certainly humbling.

As an athlete, I loved success as a participant on our North Idaho basketball staff as we certified for the Nationwide Junior Faculty Athletic Championships in Senatobia, MS. I used to be proud to symbolize Idaho State as a Division I athlete, incomes a scholarship and serving as staff captain. This was by no means one thing that my eight-year-old self might have imagined that she’d have the prospect to perform as a result of again then, ladies didn’t play sports activities. That’s actually what I used to be instructed. Thankfully for me, on June 23, 1972, Title IX was handed and it modified my life.

As a collegiate coach, setting targets, seeing lives change and going to the NCAA match was extremely thrilling and rewarding. Whether or not working with our younger girls whereas teaching collegiately or with the younger males I’ve been in a position to coach these previous 13 years, I’ve been blessed to observe them as they develop and change into profitable adults. They’ve gone on to make impacts of their communities and be a blessing to these by whom they’re surrounded. I’m proud to have had a component of their progress and success. It’s gratifying to have these whose lives you touched return and categorical their love and appreciation for all that you simply’ve performed for them.

Why are you a member of the Republican/Democrat/Impartial/Different celebration? Briefly clarify your political platform.

Ehardt: I’m a Republican as a result of our celebration completely:

• Believes in and acknowledges God because the Creator of this world and the Father of us as His kids;
• Believes within the household unit as the bottom unit and most vital unit of presidency;
• Believes within the Structure of america of America;
• Believes within the sanctity of life;
• Believes that our rights come from our Heavenly Father and never from man – when our rights come from the Lord, they’re inalienable and don’t change. Once they come from man, they’re negotiable and alter relying on the circumstances;
• Believes within the 1st modification – the precise to freedom of faith, freedom of speech, freedom to peacefully assemble, freedom of the press, freedom of expression, freedom to redress their authorities, and extra;
• Believes in restricted authorities;
• Believes within the rule of legislation and never anarchy;
• Believes within the ingenuity and genius of man. Authorities ought to permit for the artistic genius of man to move freely;
• I’m a Republican for these and so many different causes. The Republican Get together actually is the celebration of freedom and prosperity.

Thompson: I’m a member of the Republican Get together as a result of I imagine in freedom for all Idahoans and fewer authorities. I imagine we must always respect one another and our rights to pursue the desires that the Lord places in our hearts.

I imagine in much less authorities, defending the unborn, fiscal duty, public training, the precise to bear arms and am pro-business. As a consultant, I imagine you will need to symbolize the bulk and the problems that have an effect on them.

What are the best challenges dealing with Idahoans?

Thompson:

• A. Progress – Idaho Falls is in the course of a tremendous inhabitants progress. The ten years from 2010-20 Idaho Falls elevated in inhabitants by 9,165 individuals for a 16.5 % progress price making Idaho Falls the fourth largest metropolis in Idaho. Whereas that is optimistic, it’s crucial that we work collectively to fulfill the wants of our rising inhabitants.
• B. Housing and price of residing are main points that should be addressed. The Idaho Nationwide Lab, faculties and different industries can not recruit as they’ve prior to now. I want to see Idaho change into self-sufficient, reminiscent of Micron making chips for vehicles, so we shouldn’t have to rely on international governments.
• C. Public Training – Our educators aren’t solely the material of our group, however they’re additionally our pals, neighbors, and relations. They selected a occupation that calls for they pour their life into the youngsters of our group, typically placing their very own well being in danger. They deserve our help, not our criticism. Not lengthy
  in the past I had the chance to present a presentation to 3rd and fourth graders concerning the legislative course of. When the presentation was over a scholar approached me crying. The scholar hugged me, and I stated, “Why are you crying?” The scholar replied, “I’ve been instructed I can not observe my dream profession due to monetary restraints, however you impressed me to observe my dream profession anyway.” Training is about inspiring individuals to observe their desires.

Ehardt: Idaho has to determine what sort of state she goes to be. Our surrounding neighbors, significantly Washington and Oregon, deserted Constitutional rules. They’ve chosen woke ideology and authorities management over American rules and particular person liberties. However even these right here in Idaho who wish to help our Structure don’t perceive it.

Too typically, we insert our understanding of issues based mostly on what we hear from others. However as I’ve came upon, it takes effort and time to check and perceive our Structure. All rules and legal guidelines are actually tied to the Bible. We swear to uphold this sacred doc, however how we could uphold that which we don’t perceive. I’m dedicated to persevering with to check this doc in order that when it comes time for me to vote, I’ll vote in response to the precepts of our Founding paperwork.

Persons are fleeing their states to come back to Idaho. They need the American dream to be preserved. They need American Exceptionalism. They need a Authorities that values our Structure and our first modification rights that embody our freedom of speech and freedom of faith. They need the household to be protected and moms to be valued. Idaho should determine if she goes to step up and defend these rights. I actually will.

How will you finest symbolize the views of your constituents – even these with differing political opinions?

Ehardt: Since this can be a Republican major, the constituents about whom I must be most involved presently are Republicans. Having stated that, I finest symbolize District 33 by adhering to the rules and precepts that I espouse when working. The individual that I painting myself as is identical individual that I proceed to be.

I’ll meet with anybody who will likely be respectful. I’ll attempt to discover a WIN / WIN resolution, if attainable. I do worth individuals and as Stephen Covey taught, attempt to ‘search first to grasp, then to be understood.’ When one makes an attempt to do that, the dialog typically modifications since you notice that what you thought or anticipated one to say isn’t what might have been meant. Hear first. Worth individuals. And when you’ll be able to’t agree, nonetheless worth individuals. This is the reason I’ve an ideal working relationship with my legislative colleagues on the Capitol. I do worth them.

Thompson: By communication. It’s crucial that we discuss to individuals with differing views so as to develop. Once we are out of our consolation zone, we’ve the perfect private progress.

For instance, whereas serving on JFAC (Joint Finance Appropriation Committee) I used to be accountable for crafting the public-school price range within the Home of Representatives, and each events often have competing motions for the Public Faculty Price range. By respect and communication, I used to be in a position to work along with the members of the
Democrat Get together and we crafted one price range for the good thing about our public faculties and kids.

I need that my constituents see me in Walmart or different public locations and really feel they’ll strategy me.

What position do lobbying entities play within the decision-making of Idaho legislators?

Thompson: I’ve at all times believed that lobbying performs the tutorial position on points earlier than the legislature. It’s true that lobbyists are employed to symbolize shoppers, however it’s also true that elected officers are accountable for either side of the problem, earlier than making an informed vote.

Ehardt: Lobbying is part of the legislative course of and might play an vital position of serving to to coach on points. Lobbyist ought to by no means be the one voice, nor ought to they be extra vital than the voice of the individuals or the mother and father.

How are you going to encourage compromise, debate, and a bipartisan strategy to introducing new laws in Idaho?

Ehardt: Life is at all times about relationships and so is the legislative course of. I’m one which finds a purpose to the touch base with all of my colleagues on issues which have completely nothing to do with laws. You can not construct the required relationship wanted for conversations when you solely communicate with others while you want them. That’s not an actual relationship. Working example, I simply acquired one other textual content message from my pal, the minority chief, concerning the finish of March Insanity.

I’ve demonstrated my skill to steer and construct a staff consensus on many items of laws that handed with virtually unanimous bipartisan help. This 12 months I invited Consultant John McCrostie, my Democrat pal, to hitch with me on my Campus Free Speech laws. It handed the Home with solely two dissenting votes and sadly, it received hung up on a technicality within the Senate within the 14th order. However I plan to deliver this again subsequent 12 months. It was wonderful laws. John and I collaborated with everybody from FIRE to ACLU to ADF to SBOE to BSU. Once I deliver it again subsequent 12 months, I promised John that he will likely be there at my facet, despite the fact that he isn’t working once more, to assist current. That’s the type of relationship I’ve with him.

A few of my bipartisan laws contains:
• H684 Campus Free Speech
• H466 Minimal Marriage Age
• HCR 9 Idaho’s Hydro Energy
• H139 Reign Defamation / Rachel’s Regulation
• HCR 36 IDAHO NATIONAL Laboratory – supportive of nuclear energy

Thompson: Communication is vital. Communication has two elements, talking and listening. Listening and respecting different Legislator’s viewpoint allows a bipartisan strategy.

What elements of Idaho authorities may benefit from further state funding? What a part of Idaho authorities might be improved with monetary cutbacks?

Thompson: Idaho, like a lot of the nation, is in a psychological well being disaster. Our youth are selecting self-harm, and suicide as a result of the assistance they want shouldn’t be obtainable. Those that are searching for assist are confronted with an extended ready record, and this causes them to lose hope.

Idaho additionally wants to draw extra medical doctors in specialty areas to our state. For instance, there is just one Rheumatologist in Idaho Falls, and there are millions of sufferers having to hunt assist in different cities and typically different states.

We should tackle these two points and discover assets to assist these in want by not solely wanting on the well being and welfare price range but in addition implementing concepts like Hope Squad in our faculties that has labored in saving our scholar’s lives.

The easiest way to additional reply to this query is to get elected and dive into all of the budgets individually.

Ehardt: Idaho ranks #1 because the fastest-growing state within the nation. With this progress come all the anticipated issues. Managing that is key and would require a multifaceted strategy. First, whether or not one agrees with the spending choices or not, Idaho had a $1.9 billion greenback surplus and greater than double that in Federal Authorities / ARPA monies which are being allotted.

Main investments are being made in our infrastructures, together with broadband and water & sewer-related tasks. The key investments ($300 million) in statewide water & sewer tasks got here by means of the Atmosphere, Power & Know-how Committee, of which I’m the Chairman. The Broadband monies (virtually $200 million) got here by means of the Broadband Advisory Committee, of which I’m a member. I’ve been intimately concerned within the distribution of those statewide funds and the parameters during which they are going to be administered.

If Idaho is to develop, it is crucial that this infrastructure happen. Utilizing the cash on this method additionally prevents the priority of ongoing Federal Authorities interference sooner or later attributable to strings being hooked up.

Cutbacks ought to happen within the Division of Well being and Welfare. Its progress and spending are uncontrolled. Most counsel that this division wants restructuring.