Big names and political candidates shared the stage of a forum hosted by NIC’s Young Republicans Club and the Kootenai County Reagen Republicans on April 7.
A total of 18 candidates running for senatorial and representative offices from districts 2, 3, and 4 in the Republican primaries showed at the forum to answer questions posed by the moderators from the NIC club.
“None of our candidates said ‘no’ to coming. They all came, and that just shows that these are the right candidates and that they have a priority for us, not only for the students at NIC but for the people that they knew would be coming as well,” said Reina Rodriguez, 17, Political Sciences, Yakima, Wash., chair of the Young Republicans Club.
Rodriguez was joined by Luke Kilcup, state chariman of the Idaho Federation of College Republicans, and club members Azra Avdagic and [Luke’s girlfriend’s name] to moderate the forum.
The moderators asked two questions of their own, as well as two questions from the audience to each set of candidates.
For the two questions posed by the moderators, the all-Republican group of candidates shared similar feelings about both issues, but were typically divided in to two groups about how the issues have been or should be handled. Both questions related to specific and relevant topics in the current political climate.
The moderators also asked two general questions to some candidates: Their priorities once in office, and their opinions on term limits. Candidates answers were varied for their priorities. For term limits, many quipped that elections act as term limits, feeling that voters should decide how long someone holds an office.
Common Core education was the first subject called to question by the moderators. Candidates were asked about whether or not they supported common core education standards for Idaho, and their thoughts on the matter.
The candidates were largely unanimous in their disapproval of common core laws with different opinions on why they felt the common core standards were flawed. Many felt that Idaho should choose the standards for education and that parental choice should play a bigger role, and some felt that Idaho students are being used as “guinea pigs” for an unproven method.
State Senator Steve Vick was seated with District 2-A representative candidates, State Representative Vito Barbieri and candidate Fritz Wiedenhoff. Vick said that he was glad that neither Barbieri nor Wiedenhoff agreed with the common core laws.
Candidate Patrick Whalen, running against State Senator Bob Nonini in District 3, applauded the effort, but didn’t feel that common core moved in the right direction.
“I believe that we need higher standards,” Nonini said. “My problem with common core is that it’s untested in a real setting. It’s been tested in some test-like settings, but I don’t want Idaho students to be the first students used as guinea pigs so-to speak along with some other states.”
The second question covered the topic of the state’s health exchange, whether or not candidates supported the enacting of Idaho’s own health exchange, and their feelings on the issue.
Candidates were split in their support of the exchange. While some felt that the state-run exchange was a good choice to allow Idaho to rein control over the issue, others felt that it was an illusion of state control.
“I did support the state health exchange, I do support the state health exchange. It is the lesser of two evils,” said Idaho State Representative Ed Morse. “I do not in any way support Obamacare. The state exchange allows more flexibility, and more local control.”
Morse, running for re-office in District 2-B, was joined by opponent Eric Redman.
“I do not support the state exchange. Once you go to the exchange you automatically get kicked into health.gov, which is Obamacare, and Obamacare is what has all the mandates,” Redman said. “All the state exchange did was give a monopoly to Idaho health insurance companies to operate.”
Audience questions were cycled through by the moderators, with each set of candidates being asked two questions.
District 3 senatorial candidates Nonini and Whalen, among others, were asked what alternatives they could popose to address mental health needs in Idaho without expanding Medicaid.
Whalen said that the mental health issue in Idaho is “very, very serious.” Nonini echoed the need for mental health counseling.
Both Nonini and Whalen paralleled the opinion of other candidates asked the question, that Medicaid expansion should be avoided. Some candidates had specific ideas as to how to address the need, and a couple of candidates felt ill-informed on the subject to make any comments.
Opinions on urban renewal in Idaho was another question raised by the audience. Most candidates felt that urban renewal could be a good thing when used appropriately.
Nonini cited Nappa and Coeur d’Alene as examples of urban renewal done incorrectly, while praising Post Falls. This view was shared by District 4 State Senator John Goedde, and opponent Mary Souza.
“I think it’s a good tool for development, but as any other tool, there’s an opportunity for it to be misused,” Goedde said.
Souza cited Twin Falls as a second example of good use of urban renewal, and called urban renewal a potential job creator if utilized to bring in businesses.
Candidates were also asked about Senate Bill 1254, which permits the carrying of guns on college campuses, by the audience.
“I believe that we are all safer when responsible, and trained, and educated people are carrying guns that they are very comfortable with,” Souza said. “I think it makes us all very safe, and I am in favor of it.”
Goedde compared the situation to cars, saying that he does not feel more cars on the road makes people safer.
“I believe in the second amendment, but I also believe this is a local control issue,” Goedde said. “There are a number of places the Supreme Court has already limited guns. I think college campuses ought to be limited as well.”
Several candidates provided positive feedback for the forum and its hosts.
State Representative Vito Barbieri, an attendee of another forum held by the Young Republicans Club, said that the forum was “excellent” and cited some improvements made since his previous forum.
“I thought the college Republicans did a great job of keeping it formatted. I saw they learned some lessons on keeping timing” Barbieri said. “Overall they did a very professional job.”
Senator Bob Nonini also felt that the forum was “excellent”, and felt that the questions asked were good, with a good audience turnout.
Reina Rodriguez said that they plan to host more events like this forum in the future.
“In November, the other candidates that have Democrats running against them and Constitutionalists running against them, we’ll most likely be having another event for them in November, because that’s when the general elections will be,” Rodriguez said.
