CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS

LeFavour will bring compassion to Congress

Idaho deserves a better and more compassionate congressional representative than Mike Simpson. Let his voting record speak: He voted against fair and equal pay for women; he voted for the Ryan budget plan and to dismantle Medicare; he voted against gays serving in the military and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell; he voted against women’s health and federal funding of Planned Parenthood; he voted against the Affordable Care Act; he voted against the right to life and for continued use of the death penalty and execution; he voted no on funding alternative sentencing programs instead of more prisons; he voted against corporate accountability and no on letting shareholders vote on executive compensation; he voted against executive accountability and no on investigating President Bush et al for lying about Iraq.

We need to hold Mike Simpson accountable. We deserve better than a seven-term politician who dances to the tune of his party and the National Rifle Association. We deserve someone who serves the public interest and the common good.

Nicole LeFavour is such a person. I am voting for Nicole on Nov. 6 for U.S. Congress, 2nd District.

SCOTT WOODBURY, Boise

LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS

For Fred Martin

It’s important to take a good look at anyone wanting to represent us in the Idaho Legislature. Integrity, or the lack of it, has popped up in recent months. I urge you to study the background of Idaho Senate candidate Fred S. Martin. You won’t find any problems. He has a proven record of public service in areas such as Boy Scouts, United Way, helping youth basketball and soccer.

Fred S. Martin should be familiar to many western Ada County residents. He has operated business franchises for 25 years, covering Idaho, Oregon, California, Arizona and Texas. He is conservative, pro-life and pro-family and pro-education. But he doesn’t think higher taxes are the answer. It’s more important to see that the tax revenue we have is used wisely, especially in education.

He is a family man, with six children and 15 grandchildren. Fred Martin has the experience to do the job. He has served as GOP vice chairman in Bannock County, sergeant of arms for the Idaho Senate, precinct committeeman, president of the Idaho Student Association and student body president at BYU-Idaho, formerly Ricks College. Based on qualifications, Martin would be an ideal addition to the Idaho Legislature.

DAVID TALICH, Boise

For Betty Richardson

I live in District 15 and Betty Richardson will be getting my vote for my state senator in the upcoming November elections.

I have heard Betty speak on several occasions and I am impressed by what she has to say. She is an intelligent, rational-thinking woman who has the best interests of my district and Idaho at heart.

I believe that she will be a welcome addition to our state Legislature. Her past experience as a U.S. attorney will serve her well to understand our current and future laws and their ramifications for Idaho’s citizens. Her concerns about the future of Idaho’s public education are similar to mine and I cannot think of a more qualified candidate to serve in our state Senate. Please vote for Betty Richardson when you go to the polls in November.

PATRICIA ALPINE, Boise

For Branden Durst

I would like to offer my full support for Branden Durst, candidate for the Idaho state Senate from District 18.

I have known Branden, his wife, his children, his father and grandfather for some years, and I believe he will be a wonderful senator. He is experienced and knowledgeable, two factors that cannot be overlooked.

He is a lifelong Boise resident and knows the local political climate. He is a true champion for education in our state. As a retiree, I am confident that Branden is the right candidate to fight for issues that matter for seniors.

I urge everyone in District 18 to vote for Branden Durst on Nov. 6.

NANCY BERTO, Boise

Who is paying for Durst’s campaign?

Someone please explain to me how this works. When I go onto the website for Branden Durst I am instantly hit with barrages to donate money to his campaign. I click on his issues link to learn about his stance on issues, he doesn’t explain his position at all. From what I can gather from his website, his blogs, and his yard signs, he thinks that the current legislators are all unethical. Additionally, his charge for why we should elect him is because he is so ethical.

Here’s the confusion; how can he claim to be the champion of ethics and that he will bring responsibility and good ethics back to the Legislature if his entire campaign is being funded by unions? Not that I’m saying unions are necessarily bad, but if you look at his financial reports, the vast majority of his funds are from unions. He then turns around and states he is so opposed to the new education reforms, the same stuff the unions are against! He then turns around and states that he is about transparency and ethics when he is clearly pushing the agenda of his cash cow. Sounds unethical to me.

DAVID JOHNSTON, Boise

Hy Kloc for House in 16

Hy Kloc will be a great advocate for the residents of district 16 in the House of Representatives. Hy has the commitment to continue to help make the lives of everyday Idahoans better.

His leadership on various committees and boards shows that he is willing to collaborate with others to get results. This is a rare talent in politics nowadays. You may remember Hy as the manager of the Boise State public radio, or worked with him on the Idaho Humane Society Board. If so, you know that he steps in, goes to work and gets results.

Hy understands the issues that will be coming up in the next legislative session and is prepared to listen, reason and make the right choices for the people of District 16 and all of Idaho.

Please join me in voting for Hy Kloc for State Representative, District 16 seat B.

REP. ELFREDA HIGGINS, Garden City

Kloc’s flier obscureshis party affiliation

Received a political flier in the mail from Hy Kloc who is running for state representative in District 16. Strangely, nowhere on the flier was there listed his party affiliation. Could it be that Mr. Kloc does not want people to know that he is a Democrat, thereby increasing his chance of election? Pretty shrewd, but the truth comes out on the official ballot come election time.

MICHAEL HALL, Boise

For Judy Peavey-Derr

I write on behalf of good governance and to acquaint you with an excellent candidate for state senator in District 17.

That candidate is Judy Peavey-Derr. Judy has been elected and appointed to serve on and lead in a number of governing and community efforts. She is a unifying and visionary leader and a cooperative worker and “get things done” person. Her efforts have ranged from sidewalks for school children in District 17 to wider issues such as the Ada County Highway District, Western Idaho Fair and other efforts. She has worked through barriers to produce good results.

She works with and has a wholesome attitude toward people, having served with Crime Stoppers, United Way, Cub Scouts, PTO and on and on. She is active in her grandchildren’s activities. She cares and serves.

When you vote on Nov. 6, remember Judy Peavey-Derr for state senator for District 17. She will use words to explain and clarify and effort to accomplish.

GRANT IPSEN, Meridian

Re-elect Phylis King

If you are a voter in District 18 and need reasons to re-elect Phylis King, here are several.

Phylis takes her job seriously and works hard to become knowledgeable about issues. She communicates effectively and often with her constituents via regular newsletter. She welcomes and carefully considers input from residents in her district. She is a tireless advocate for education, recognizing that it is the key to individual accomplishment and community well-being. She promotes pro-family economic policies. Phylis focuses her efforts on real issues that affect many Idahoans rather than on divisive issues that affect few but alienate many voters. Because of all these reasons, I encourage you to vote for Phylis King to represent District 18 for another term.

LYNNE MATTISON, Boise