Who’s running in Idaho Legislature’s District 23? Hear from the candidates

Several new candidates are hoping to represent voters in Owyhee County and parts of southern Ada and Canyon counties.

While Sen. Todd Lakey, R-Nampa, hopes to spend a seventh term representing District 23, the House candidates would be newcomers to the Idaho Legislature. Lakey, an attorney, faces Democrat Paul Morgan and Paul Smith, a Constitution Party candidate.

Kuna City Council President Chris Bruce will face off against Democrat Wendy Coome for House seat A. Bruce ousted Republican incumbent Rep. Melissa Durrant by less than 100 votes in this year’s primary.

House seat B also saw a shakeup when retired educator Shawn Dygert beat Republican incumbent Tina Lambert. Now Dygert, a Republican who taught agriculture at Kuna High for over 30 years, will challenge Democrat Julissa Melendez Castellanos.

The Idaho Statesman sent questionnaires to each of the candidates, and their responses are copied below. Lakey, Morgan, Smith, Coome and Melendez Castellanos didn’t respond.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Learn more about local elections in the Statesman’s Voter Guide. (Find the legislative district you live in here, and find your polling place here.) Use the horizontal scroll bar underneath each Q&A as needed to read the full Q&A. You also can click on the chart and drag horizontally.

Alex Brizee

Idaho Statesman

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Alex Brizee covers criminal justice for the Idaho Statesman. A Miami native and a University of Idaho graduate, she has lived all over the United States. Go Vandals! In her free time, she loves pad Thai, cuddling with her dog and strong coffee. Support my work with a digital subscription