Candidate for governor meets Payette, Washington County voters at event

Paulette Jordan, a candidate for Idaho governor, was greeted by nearly 90 residents from Washington and Payette counties at a “Unity Gathering” and meet and greet for Democratic candidates on Aug. 28.

 Jordan, who is running against Lt. Gov. Brad Little in the Nov. 6 general election, was joined by four state, congressional and local candidates at the campaign event at a rural Weiser home.

 Jordan spoke about issues and concerns that have been presented to her as she travels across the state talking to Idahoans of all ages and walks of life.  

 The issues include healthcare being a basic human right not only for the privileged, quality education with equality in funding for all public schools not just for the districts with higher populations, protecting our public lands for future generations.  

 She touched on the subject of homelessness in our schools and the need for an increase in the states minimum wage to a fair livable wage.  Idahoans are tired of not being heard, its time for a change.

 She told the gathering that she is not a corporatist and she and our Democratic candidates present will all be out spent by their opponents.  

 “I won’t accept money from corporations. My campaign is for and by the people and won’t fall prey to the lobbyists in the statehouse,” she said.  

 “Most of this state is broadly independent, voting for the person they most want to serve. I will be a compassionate governor who fights for the people. This race is bigger than me and it’s bigger than party politics. It’s about the very heart and soul of Idaho: our people, our land and our future,” she said.

 The crowd also heard from Cristina McNeil, a candidate for Idaho’s 1st Congressional District. 

 Her message included her desire to protect the rights of women, protect public lands to keep them public, to strive for improving education from Pre-Kinder to college.  

 With qualified teachers, increased wages and competitive benefits so that teachers stay in Idaho. She said she will promote state-funded preschool to 12th grade and affordable tuitions for students who go on to college. She also wants to see improvements in infrastructure for Idaho, the fastest growing state in the U.S.  ” 

 “I support an increase minimum wage, maternity leave and equal pay for women, immigration reform, criminal justice reform, finding common ground for common sense solutions.  I will work in Congress to serve the needs of Idaho,” she said.

 Jill Humble, a candidate for secretary of state, addressed voters’ rights in Idaho. She believes all students should be automatically registered to vote on their 18th birthday.  

 She proposed that Idaho have mail-in ballots to accommodate those who have difficulty getting to the polls and make it easier for Idahoans to vote. She said she is passionate about protecting Idaho voters’ identities.  

 Local legislative District 9 Democratic candidates addressed both local and statewide issues.    

 Chase Van Weerhuizen, who is running for District 9 seat B, spoke on the issue of mental health in youth and said state legislators have put this issue on the back burner.  

 He told of visiting a juvenile detention facility and speaking as school recruiter (to children under the age of 18), and in the middle of his presentation, the facility went on lockdown and all residents had to be returned to their cell. The lockdown was because an inmate had a mental breakdown and had to be sedated.  He said, 

 “This should never happen. We should have Mental health resources available to treat those with mental illnesses not incarcerate them into the state prison system which costs our state millions,” he said. 

 “Treatment for mental illness is something that is good for Idahoans our communities and our economy.   Idaho has the highest teen suicide in the entire nation and we need to do something about it.”  

 He also said that Idaho needs kindergarten expansion, public funded kindergarten in all school districts and should encourage young farmers as agriculture is a huge part of Idaho’s economy. 

 Allen Schmid, who is seeking the House Seat A in District 9, said he wants to make sure that every child in Idaho has the same opportunities as he’s had. 

 Schmid, a veteran and former fighter pilot, said that means a safe community to grow up in, a good public education, a chance to go to college, and the opportunity to live and work in Idaho.  

 “It would be great if our children and grandchildren could stay in Idaho instead of having to move out of state to find the jobs, education and health care necessary to take care of their families,” said the New Plymouth farmer.