Endorsement: Our pick in a crowded Republican field for Ada County Commission | 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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Republican voters in Ada County have an interesting lineup of candidates for county commission, District 3.
Incumbent Tom Dayley faces challenges from former two-time county commissioner Sharon Ullman, controversial figure Branden Durst and political newcomer Heather Luther.
We failed to see any candidate acknowledge that Ada County is an urban county that’s now over a half-million people and that we need to plan for the next half-million people.
Cutting taxes is all well and good, but we’d like to see some acknowledgment that Ada County is not a rural county anymore and that there are urban needs now that need to be addressed by leaders who have a vision for the future.
Without any standout choices in the field, and with three of the candidates having a proven track record of poor decisions, we recommend voters give the political newcomer a shot.
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses Heather Luther in the Republican primary for the District 3 seat on the Ada County Commission.
Dayley, a former state legislator who’s been on the commission for the past two years, is an uninspiring commissioner who seems to go along with the other commissioners. In his two years in office, he has failed to get rid of Ryan Cole from the Central District Health Board, voted to put anti-vaxxer Greg Ferch on the health board in place of Raúl Labrador, and he voted to approve the massive Spring Rock development without passing an impact fee plan to pay for services.
Durst is a controversial figure on the far right who said he’s running because he is “committed to Trump’s agenda at the local level,” and “that includes fighting the border crisis, fighting Bidenomics and supporting those policies that will help advance a conservative mentality.”
Ullman has been a former county commissioner twice before. She is the most knowledgeable about the issues, even more so than incumbent Dayley, who’s been in the chair the last two years.
Ullman is so zealous about cutting the budget, however, that she’d make poor decisions, such as forgoing allowable 3% annual increases in the property tax budget, which she did when she was county commissioner before, even if it means putting the county behind on necessary expenses and basic maintenance.
We also fault her decision-making as county commissioner in approving a controversial garbage-to-gas contract with Dynamis that cost taxpayers millions of dollars with nothing to show for it.
The only candidate without a proven track record of making poor decisions is Luther, a political newcomer who is the director of recording for Ada County. She is decidedly the least politically ideological of the bunch and would better represent the voice of the average citizen.
“I want to give a voice to the community members that maybe feel that they haven’t been heard as much, and I also want to work to continue building relationships across all of the elected offices and continued collaboration,” Luther said.
We weren’t impressed with all of Luther’s answers, and she didn’t demonstrate a deep knowledge of all the issues facing the county, but she would be a refreshing, welcome addition to the county commission.
Her experience for the last eight years in the recorder’s office gives her insight into the workings of county government, and she said she’s aware of “excess budgeting” in the county that could be cut.
A resident of Kuna, Luther recognizes the strain that growth is placing on the county’s infrastructure, and she said she’d work with the Ada County Highway District more closely to attempt to alleviate traffic congestion. She also said public transportation needs to be part of that discussion.
In a field that doesn’t give Republican voters a lot of good options, Luther provides the best choice.
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.
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