I am running for a house seat in District 16 because I believe Idahoans are tired of elected officials who put allegiance to party above the interests of the people they have pledged to serve.
Since April of this year I have walked the neighborhoods of my district knocking on more than 10,000 doors to learn firsthand what is important to the lives of the people in District 16. This opportunity has made this campaign a valued experience that I will long remember.
Today, more Idahoans are living in poverty than in any time in the last quarter century. Job growth is anemic and wages are stagnant. Even the promise of a brighter future for our children is in question because of the Luna Laws (Propositions 1, 2 and 3) and declining financial support for education. It is important that voters know that I oppose the Luna Laws, unlike my opponent who supports them.
But no one party or individual has all the answers. Given the enormity of the challenges, our best hope, some say our only hope, is for elected officials to put aside partisan political differences and work together for the common good. I will work across party lines to strengthen our economy and provide full funding to education.
Over the course of my career I have been a classroom teacher, an educational administrator, small business owner, board president of the Idaho Humane Society and most recently, board chairman of the Greater Boise Auditorium District. In all these endeavors the one constant has been my willingness to work with others with different views to arrive at practical solutions to real challenges. If elected to represent the residents of District 16, I promise to continue in that spirit.
Running for political office is no easy undertaking. Fortunately, from the very beginning, I have enjoyed the support of my family and of many Idaho leaders and organizations including former Gov. Cecil Andrus, Mayor Dave Bieter, state Reps. Elfreda Higgins and Grant Burgoyne, Sen. Les Bock, former state Rep. Margaret Henbest and the Idaho Education Association, to name a few.
On Tuesday, Nov. 6, vote to keep our representative form of government strong. To the residents of District 16, I ask for your vote and support to do the job that you deserve.
Hy Kloc is a Democratic candidate for House Seat B in legislative District 16, which takes in Garden City and sections of West Boise.
