Who will manage Ada County’s money? Hear from the primary candidates for treasurer
Ada County Republican voters will have a choice between two Meridian men in the primary race for treasurer, the chief financial position for Idaho’s most populous county. The treasurer handles millions in property taxes and oversees the management, disbursement and investment of the county’s funds.
Incumbent Elizabeth Mahn, who was first elected treasurer in 2018, was also initially a candidate in the Republican primary but withdrew in mid-March.
Rob Brown, who is self-employed, has previously worked for the Ada County Treasurer’s Office, where he oversaw banking, investments and cash management. Brown told the Idaho Statesman he has handled “billions in cash, investments and foreign exchange exposure” during his career in finance. He said increasing transparency at the Treasurer’s Office would be one of his top priorities if elected.
“This role isn’t about politics — it’s about protecting taxpayer dollars, managing risk responsibly and ensuring transparency,” Brown wrote in the Statesman’s Voter Guide. “That’s exactly what I’ve been doing for over 20 years.”
Brown’s opponent, Todd Christensen, also emphasized the need for transparency and a protective steward for taxpayer dollars. He said leadership should “apply private-sector discipline” to government operations.
Christensen is a business professional who has worked in marketing at CapEd Credit Union and served on the board of directors of the Friends of Idaho Public Television.
“I believe strong communities are built through service, leadership and partnerships,” Christensen wrote in the Voter Guide. “My community leadership and service set me apart from other candidates.”
The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat April Frederick in the November general election.
Only Republican voters can cast ballots in Idaho’s closed GOP primary.
The Idaho Statesman sent questionnaires to each candidate in a contested race. Their responses are presented below, unedited.
To learn more about these and other local races, go to IdahoStatesman.com/Election. Find more candidate Q&As like this in the Statesman’s Voter Guide.
