Good read in the Idaho Press-Tribune.
Funny thing happens when someone gets appointed to a higher office, all the hanger-ons come out of hiding.
Names in contention so far; District 11 Rep. Carlos Bilbao, of Emmett, former Canyon County Commish Matt Beebe and also the District 11 Republican chairwoman Melinda Smyser. Smyser would definitely be an interesting choice, if not a good one. I’ve always found Melinda to be somewhat practical and not an ideologue — which, to me is one of the biggest factors in choosing Republicans in Idaho. Luckily, Thayn isn’t going to try for the seat, methinks that he realizes his far-right fundie politics won’t play very well with Idaho’s Senate which is more geared for giving tax dollars away to businesses than enacting Conservative policy.
That being said, there is an issue with Smyser which was left out of the Idaho Press-Tribune article; her husband Skip Smyser’s lobbying interests. Don’t get me wrong, I like Skip as well, practical, moderate and extremely intelligent (not to mention an impeccable taste in good wine). But it’s hard for one to overlook the sheer amount of lobbyist cash that Skip pumps into Idaho Republican coffers. Next time you get a rare chance to speak with your local representative ask them how much of their campaign cash came from Smyser bundles.
If I had to choose… I’d go with Melinda Smyser, but not without significant disclosure of Skip’s lobbying interests and how that would impact her votes.
Concerning Mr. Smyser’s lobbying interests, I wholly concur. While they are two separate people, they are married, and there are too many conflicts of interest. I cannot speak for Mr. Smyser’s taste in wine, his positions, or his intelligence; however, predicated on the fact that his business’s interests are vested in political positioning, Ms. Smyser’s elevation to that position, with her husband in his business, would scream of small town politics.
Boise isn’t Mayberry, and there should be enough transparency in our government to ensure that government is being run ethically and professionally.
Unfortunately, that's exactly how Idaho politics work for the time being. All you can hope for is that when they pull some up from the good old boy trenches it's the best candidate possible.
Duly noted; however, ultimately, like investing in and having people use light rail from Caldwell to Boise City—with stops through the Valley, someday, we’ll have to grow up.
[...] is a caveat however, and that is there needs to be clear and full disclosure about Skip’s lobbying interests in the Idaho [...]