Endorsement: Clyde Dornier challenges Ryan Davidson for Ada County seat. Our pick | Opinion
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May 2024 primary endorsements
Check here for the Idaho Statesman Editorial Board’s picks in the May 2024 primary election.
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Clyde Dornier, who is challenging incumbent Ryan Davidson for the District 1 seat on the Ada County Commission in the Republican primary, doesn’t differ too much from Davidson on many of his views, making it difficult for us to give him our endorsement.
Regardless, Dornier offers a viable alternative to Davidson, who’s made some lousy decisions as a commissioner.
While Dornier doesn’t have a record to run on, Davidson does, and it stinks.
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses Clyde Dornier for Ada County Commissioner, District 1.
Davidson, elected to the commission in 2020, voted to appoint Raul Labrador and Ryan Cole to the Central District Health Board in the middle of the pandemic, voted to eliminate funding for New Path Community Housing, a housing-first program for chronic homelessness that has empirical evidence showing that it saves money, and voted to cut federal funding for homeless residents staying at the Red Lion hotel without an alternative.
Davidson also voted to approve the massive Spring Rock planned community, even though the county still hasn’t approved impact fees for new developments, now going on four years after the initial feasibility study was completed.
Dornier said he would bring a business perspective to the commission, saying he would treat the job like a two-year consulting gig. His top issues are transportation, addressing the county jail and making government more efficient to work better for the residents.
He has earned the endorsements of former Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, Meridian Mayor Robert Simison, Meridian City Council members Anne Little Roberts and John Overton, and the Treasure Valley Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Dornier, who lives in Avimor, said he would have approved Spring Rock but also said he would have liked to see more information about how it conformed to the county comprehensive plan and how it would have affected roadway congestion.
In 2020, when Spring Rock came before the city of Kuna, which rejected the proposal as too costly to city services, Ada County Highway District commissioners warned the city that ACHD could not afford to build out the roads to sufficiently to service Spring Rock.
But at least Dornier said that if elected, he would take such things into consideration moving forward.
Dornier said he’d be open to impact fees, but he repeated the tired baseless fear that impact fees might hinder growth.
We hope that, if elected, Dornier will be a more thoughtful county commissioner than Davidson and make wiser decisions in office.
This story was originally published May 12, 2024 at 4:00 AM.
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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