Woodings, Denney say they will retain Ysursa's staff if elected

Democratic Rep. Holli Woodings and Republican Rep. Lawerence Denney both say they will retain outgoing Secretary of State Ben Ysursa's staff if elected.

Woodings, from Boise, is running against Denney, of Midvale, for the post Ben Ysursa is leaving after 12 years as secretary of state and many years as chief deputy to the late Pete Cenarrusa.

Ysursa has not yet endorsed either candidate in the race.

“One of the best things about running for this critical office has been getting to know some of Ben Ysursa’s staff a little better,” Woodings said. “They’re dedicated peopl working hard to give exceptional service to their fellow Idahoans, and that’s what has led to this decision.” Woodings said for more than four decades, Cenarrusa and Ysursa have led the Secretary of State’s office at the highest level of professionalism and customer service.

Woodings said she will follow that tradition. “Idaho has a legacy of great Secretaries of State, and that’s reflected in the people working in the office,” Woodings said. “My goal is to keep those who would like to stay on, serving the public in the way Idahoans have come to expect.”

Denney, said Wednesday he has asked Ysursa's chief deputy Tim Hurst to stay on and the rest of the employees are classified and can't be terminated.

"I think for continuity of the the office I think you should keep the staff intact," Denney said.

This story was originally published September 17, 2014 at 10:47 AM with the headline "Woodings, Denney say they will retain Ysursa's staff if elected."