Idaho House race pits three political newcomers against each other. Here’s our pick
Soñia Galaviz presents a singularly compelling case for voters in the race for the District 16A seat in the Idaho House. Our editorial board unanimously endorses her in this election.
Galaviz, a school teacher, is sharp and has a clear vision for the future. And she’s had a hand in building it, educating hundreds of Boise students in important science, technology, engineering and math subjects.
And as Idaho continues to struggle with education policy — underfunding schools even as surpluses abound — it is vital to have the perspective of a teacher who has seen what funding does when it hits the ground. Galaviz would bring that important perspective to the Capitol. It is sorely needed.
She also has her priorities right outside of education. She has a firm grasp on how the Legislature has lurched toward the far right, leaving behind its ability to address real-life problems. Residential property taxes are out of control, and legislators won’t take the obvious steps to solve the problem. The grocery tax remains in place. Meanwhile, the legislative session is occupied by phantasms: librarians slinging porn, critical race theory and other make-believe problems.
And Galaviz demonstrated in interviews with our editorial board that she not only understands these problems. She has plans to solve them.
She understands that continuously giving tax breaks targeted to the richest families in Idaho comes at the expense of the rest of the state. So she’ll work for a fairer tax system. She understands that freezing the homeowners exemption in a period of fast-rising home values shifted the local tax burden onto homeowners. So she’ll work to restore the index that allowed the exemption to rise with home prices. And she understands how desperately underfunded Idaho’s public schools remain, so she’ll fight to give them the support they need.
She’ll be far outnumbered if she gets to the statehouse, but she will be a force for good. She would be far and away the best candidate to fill the hole left by the departure of such vitally important Democratic lawmakers as retiring Rep. John McCrostie, D-Garden City. So Galaviz has our endorsement.
Independent Wayne Richey, a former Boise mayoral candidate, is most acutely concerned with what’s happening to longtime residents. And he identifies lots of important problems: growth not paying for itself, gentrification forcing out longtime residents and residential property taxes that have become unaffordable. His vision of how to solve these problems is not as acute as his perception of them, however.
Richey deserves an honorable mention. He presents the viewpoint of a someone who has seen the impacts of wealthy immigration, sending property taxes soaring and harming longtime residents. And he too has been dismayed by how much time the Legislature has spent obsessing over nonissues.
Republican Mark Montoya declined to be interviewed. The Statesman does not endorse candidates who won’t be interviewed. There isn’t a lot of information available about his candidacy. He has signed the Idaho GOP’s platform pledge, indicating he supports all parts of it. That would include things like revoking your right to vote in U.S. Senate elections — a horrible idea.
All in all, Galaviz comes out as the clear favorite in this election. She would focus on the biggest problems everyday Idahoans face, and she has the intelligence and persuasiveness to be effective in the Statehouse. She would serve her Treasure Valley constituents well, and she has our resounding endorsement.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHow we write endorsements
Who decides the endorsements?
Members of Idaho Statesman editorial board interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The editorial board is composed of journalists and community members. Members of the Statesman editorial board are: Statesman editor Chadd Cripe, opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, assistant editor Jim Keyser and community members John Hess, Debbie McCormick and Julie Yamamoto.
What does the endorsement process entail?
The Statesman editorial board meets with political candidates and asks them a series of questions about policy issues. The editorial board discusses the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous. The editorial board generally will not endorse a candidate who does not agree to an interview with the board members.
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making endorsements, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well-prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues and their understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats. We make recommendations about who the best-qualified candidates for these jobs are.
Why are endorsements unsigned?
Endorsements reflect the collective views of the Statesman’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. Board members all discuss and contribute ideas to each endorsement editorial.
Do I have to vote for the candidate the Statesman endorses?
Of course not. An endorsement is just our recommendation based on the candidates’ backgrounds and their answers to editorial board questions.
Can I disagree with the Statesman’s endorsement?
Of course you can. We encourage voters to do their own research and choose the candidate who best represents your views.
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