Endorsement: Can Kuna ag teacher beat Idaho legislator in rural district? Our pick | Opinion
READ MORE
May 2024 primary endorsements
Check here for the Idaho Statesman Editorial Board’s picks in the May 2024 primary election.
Expand All
Shawn Dygert has just about all the bona fides needed to be a good representative in the Idaho Legislature for District 23.
Dygert was born in Eastern Idaho, raised on cow-calf ranch, rodeoed for Utah State, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in ag education, got his master’s at University of Idaho and has been teaching ag at Kuna High for 33 years. His kids went to Melba schools; he has grandkids in Melba schools; and he lives in Owyhee County, where he was Republican Central Committee chairman for 10 years and a fair board member for eight years.
He is challenging incumbent state Rep. Tina Lambert in the upcoming Republican primary election.
Lambert, a retired home educator, declined our invitation to interview her for an endorsement. In general, we don’t endorse candidates who won’t agree to an interview with the editorial board.
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses Shawn Dygert in the Republican primary for Idaho House of Representatives in District 23.
Dygert said he’s running for office because Lambert, in her first term in office, has not done a good job of representing the agricultural community or education, two areas Dygert knows quite a lot about.
Agriculture is an important constituency in District 23, which includes parts of Ada and Canyon counties and all of Owyhee County.
Dygert said Lambert voted against a Department of Agriculture budget item for $7 million for quagga mussel control. She voted against two new dairy inspectors. Dygert noted that 30% of Idaho’s dairies are in District 23. Lambert also voted against money for a new veterans’ home in Boise. She voted against a bill to change how to handle stray animals, a change supported by farmers and ranchers.
It makes sense, then, that Dygert has been supported by the Idaho Farm Bureau, the Idaho Dairy Association, the Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association and others.
Dygert has been the legislative liaison for the Idaho Ag Teachers Association for 25 years, so he’s familiar with legislation and the legislative process.
Dygert is an advocate for local control, particularly when it comes to public education.
“We got bad things (in education)? We do. We need to figure them out and fix them? Yeah, we do,” Dygert said. “But not at the expense of everything. I don’t think it needs to be a slash and burn and chop the system down. It needs to be adapted and fixed. And I think what the state legislature’s role is we’ve got to equip school boards and local control to be able to do that.”
Dygert said he’s open to discussions about school choice, but the proposals that have come to the Legislature in the past couple of years would not help the rural schools in District 23, have flaws in how tax credits are awarded and lack accountability.
On a whole host of issues, from Idaho Launch and the library book ban and bounty bill to the summer school food program and guns in schools, Dygert shows a measured, balanced and reasonable approach to evaluating the issues for himself and will stand up to outside pressures to vote one way or the other.
For Republican voters in District 23, Dygert is the better choice.
This story was originally published May 15, 2024 at 4:00 AM.
CORRECTION: This editorial has been updated to correct the description of legislative District 23.
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.
Want more opinions each week?
Subscribe to The Idaho Way weekly email newsletter, a collection of editorials, columns, guest opinions and letters to the editor from the Opinion section of the Idaho Statesman each week. You can sign up for The Idaho Way here.
