Candidates in Idaho's Second Congressional District, which covers Eastern and Southern Idaho and Boise east of Cole Road.
REPUBLICANS: * Rep. Mike Simpson, Boise (incumbent); Jack Wayne Chappell, Buhl; Gregory Nemitz, Twin Falls.
DEMOCRATS:
* David Sneddon, Boise; Debbie Holmes, Boise.
* Our primary election endorsement.
OUR VIEW 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ENDORSEMENTS
T he 2nd Congressional District campaign may be dull, but not for a lack of characters.
One of Mike Simpson's Republican challengers sued Uncle Sam, seeking payment after NASA landed a spacecraft on an asteroid (that would be Gregory Nemitz of Twin Falls). His other opponent ran for governor as a Democrat in 1998, launching his campaign from the back of a mule (that would be Jack Wayne Chappell of Buhl).
Let's just say Simpson is an easy pick in the May 27 GOP primary - not just because of his opponents, but because of his productive, pragmatic 10-year record. In an unimpressive Democratic primary, we endorse Boisean David Sneddon.
SIMPSON
In a staunchly Republican state with an all-GOP congressional delegation, Simpson isn't afraid to cross the grain. He parted company with the White House last fall, supporting the State Children's Health Insurance Program - a five-year, $35 billion expansion that would have covered nearly 22,000 Idaho children. He refused to join the pound-foolish bipartisan stampede into election-year deficit spending, when he rejected a $168 billion economic stimulus package.
Even though Simpson represents a conservative congressional district, he has unabashedly made wilderness his legislative centerpiece. The Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act would create nearly 319,000 acres of wilderness in the Boulder-White Clouds mountains, while providing land transfers to boost the tax base in public lands-heavy Custer County and Stanley. The skillful compromise recognizes the shift to a tourism-based economy and results from years of Idaho-based negotiations.
The bill hasn't budged during Simpson's fifth term, however, remaining mired in the House Natural Resources Committee for nearly 15 months. "It hasn't been as high a priority with the Democratic staff as I hoped it would be," a somewhat frustrated Simpson said Thursday. We're frustrated too - but recognize that it is difficult for a Republican congressman to massage a complicated wilderness bill through a Democratic-controlled House.
Simpson has demonstrated his effectiveness. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Simpson has fought for federal dollars for a variety of programs, including cleanup and nuclear reactor research at the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho highway projects, a new control tower at the Boise airport, and a much-needed Boise detox center.
At a time when many Americans are rightly concerned about the deficit - and, in the search for a scapegoat, place undue blame on budget earmarks - Simpson takes a more measured approach. He recognizes the value of prudent earmarks and the need for full disclosure. Simpson isn't a big spender; he's a smart spender.
With Sen. Larry Craig's retirement, Simpson stands to be Idaho's lone representative on the Appropriations committees. His experience and record make him an obvious pick.
SNEDDON
The Democrats' race to challenge Simpson is a disappointment.
Debbie Holmes, a Boise real estate agent, touts herself as the progressive candidate in the primary. She has a platform to match, supporting universal health care, a gradual repeal of the Bush tax cuts, and a withdrawal from Iraq within two years. Holmes just entered the race in March, and at times it shows. Her answers on resource issues - such as wilderness and the feds' controversial $900 million salmon recovery agreements with Indian tribes - were thin.
Sneddon, a former legislative and U.S. Senate candidate, is better prepared and a marginally stronger candidate. The economy is his key issue. He pledges, if elected, to be on the doorstep of companies looking for places to relocate. He is also a pleasant surprise on an issue high on our agenda - salmon recovery - taking the gutsy position of supporting the breaching of the four dams on the lower Snake River in Washington state. "We're losing our wild stocks," he said.
A self-described conservative "Blue Dog" Democrat, Sneddon's party credentials will be suspect with some voters. His pledge to get rid of earmarks and roll back spending is at odds with his pledge to find money for university research and infrastructure. But in a weak race - with, at this point, no candidate measuring up to Simpson - Sneddon gets our backing.
"Our View" is the editorial position of the Idaho Statesman. It is an unsigned opinion expressing the consensus of the Statesman's editorial board. To comment on an editorial or suggest a topic, e-mail editorial@idahostatesman.com.
