Still undecided for Tuesday’s election? Our picks for Boise mayor, council, more | Opinion
This year’s election could dramatically change the makeup of leadership at Boise City Hall. Mayor Lauren McLean faces reelection, and four of six City Council seats are up for grabs.
This was the first year that all six City Council seats were up for election based on districts. Two of the seats, for Districts 1 and 6, featured only one candidate, incumbents Luci Willits and Jimmy Hallyburton, respectively, so the elections in those districts were canceled.
For this year’s election, we interviewed all four candidates for Boise mayor, both candidates for Meridian mayor and 10 candidates for Boise City Council.
Here’s a quick look at our endorsements:
Boise mayor
Candidates: Joe Evans, Mike Masterson, Lauren McLean, Aaron Reis.
Our take: This really is a race between Masterson and McLean. Whether to endorse McLean for a second term has been a difficult decision for the Idaho Statesman editorial board, whose individual members over the past several weeks have vacillated between McLean and her strongest challenger, Masterson, a former Boise police chief.
Our endorsement in this race is not resounding nor is it unanimous. Despite our misgivings about McLean’s performance and obvious signs of poor management, we support the policies she champions and acknowledge the successes she’s had.
Because of those policies and successes, the Idaho Statesman endorses McLean for a second term as mayor.
You can read our full endorsement here.
Boise City Council, District 2
Candidates: Grant Burgoyne, Jesse Gonzales, Colin Nash, Hillary Smith
Our take: Colin Nash is the best candidate to represent constituents in District 2 on the Boise City Council. Nash, a lawyer who was appointed to the seat this year by Mayor Lauren McLean, is level-headed, smart, thoughtful and has experience in the state Legislature and on City Council. The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses Nash in this race.
Read our full endorsement here.
Boise City Council, District 3
Candidates: Chris Blanchard, Kathy Corless, Josh Johnston, Theresa Vawter
Our take: The District 3 race is perhaps the most competitive and offers the deepest slate of candidates. We’re disappointed that two of the candidates weren’t forthcoming on their answers to the Statesman’s voters guide questionnaire, eliminating them from our consideration.
Theresa Vawter would make a fine member of the City Council and would represent her constituents well.
Read our full endorsement here.
Boise City Council, District 4
Candidates: Janet Burke, Jordan Morales
Our take: The endorsement decision in the Boise City Council race in District 4 was an easy one. Jordan Morales and Janet Burke are running for a two-year term in this Southeast Boise district. Burke declined our invitation to interview her to hear her views, and the Statesman generally does not endorse a candidate who won’t interview with the editorial board. Regardless, we found Morales to be well-informed and thoughtful about the challenges facing Boise. He’s knowledgeable about the issues of public safety, housing affordability, homelessness and the Boise zoning code rewrite.
Read our full endorsement here.
Boise City Council, District 5
Candidates: Jeremy Gugino, Meredith Stead
Our take: Voters in Boise City Council District 5 have two good choices. Meredith Stead and Jeremy Gugino don’t differ a lot in their positions, but they do differ a little in approaches.
Stead, a marketing professional currently with Albertsons, was appointed by Mayor Lauren McLean to the Boise City Council in August to fill the vacancy left by Holli Woodings. She previously served on the Boise Planning and Zoning Commission for six years. She would approach the job as an insider with experience in how city government decisions get made.
Our decision in this race was not unanimous, and we all appreciated Gugino’s focus on constituent services.
But the majority of the board members felt Stead’s deeper firsthand knowledge of what she’d face as a City Council member would better serve the residents of District 5.
Read our full endorsement here.
Meridian mayor
Candidates: Mike Hon, Robert Simison
Our take: Meridian Mayor Robert Simison has earned a second term as mayor of Idaho’s second-largest city.
Simison has guided the city of Meridian with a steady hand, and his answers to our questions were well-reasoned and measured.
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses Simison for reelection.
His challenger, Mike Hon, offered only that he “could do a better job” as mayor than Simison. He mostly seems to take issue with Simison’s declaration of support for the Boise Pride Festival and suggests that Simison is somehow following in the footsteps of Boise.
We’d like to see Simison be more visionary for Meridian and try to prevent a future of urban sprawl and traffic congestion. Simison’s challenger doesn’t present much of an alternative, though, let alone a bold vision for Meridian’s future.
Simison has done a fine job in his first term and deserves your vote for a second term.
Read our full endorsement here.
Ada County Jail bond
The issue: Whether to approve a $49 million bond to expand the Ada County Jail.
Our take: The Idaho Statesman editorial board recommends a “yes” vote on the bond.
Just like all other services — police, fire, roads, parks — the jail needs to grow with our growing population. The facility is at or over its operational capacity every day, according to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.
We are convinced that Ada County is doing all that it can to divert inmates out of jail.
The county uses several diversion programs, such as a Community Transition Center, pretrial release, alternative sentencing and misdemeanor probation programs to keep people out of jail.
County officials report that 2,000 people participate in these programs, which is almost double the current jail population.
Further, county officials report that 87% of inmates are in jail on felony charges, leaving only 13% in on misdemeanors.
The simple fact of the matter is that with population growth comes growth in the need for services, and the jail is one of them.
But we have our reservations.
Read our full endorsement here.
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, newsroom editors Dana Oland and 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.
Want your say?
Readers are encouraged to express their thoughts by submitting a letter to the editor. Click on “Submit a letter or opinion” at idahostatesman.com/opinion.
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