Idaho Statesman endorsement: Our pick for U.S. House, 1st Congressional District | Opinion
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2024 Election endorsements
The Idaho Statesman editorial board’s endorsements for Ada County Commission, state Legislature and U.S. House of Representatives in the 2024 general election.
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Republican Rep. Russ Fulcher made our 1st Congressional District endorsement decision easy.
Kaylee Peterson, his Democratic challenger, spent an hour with our board answering questions about problems ranging from the federal debt to the future of Social Security to the fate of the Lower Snake River dams.
We didn’t agree with every answer she gave, but she said she would work to restore women’s right to choose, would work to balance the complicated competing interests involved in the dams and would fight efforts to cut programs like Social Security. She’s running an independent campaign, not beholden to interests outside her district. She promised to be a hard worker — to show up — and we have every reason to believe her.
For that reason, this is the second time we’ve decided to endorse Peterson.
By contrast, Fulcher didn’t show up for an interview with our editorial board, so we didn’t have the chance to get his perspective on the major problems facing his district or our country. That seems to be part of a pattern.
Glance at the legislation tracker on Fulcher’s own congressional website, and here are three numbers you might notice. First, 31 — the number of bills Fulcher has sponsored in his two terms in office. Second, 1 — the number of those bills which passed the House. Third, 0 — the number which became law.
In terms of actual lawmaking, the 1st District might as well not have a representative.
Of course, lawmakers do a lot of things other than writing bills, but the picture doesn’t really improve if you dig deeper.
Fulcher has built a reputation as an ideologically pure conservative, but that’s often meant he gets nothing done.
Nowhere is Fulcher’s willingness to put ideology ahead of his district’s interests more obvious than in community projects funding, the successor to earmarks, which allows a member of Congress to bring home the proverbial bacon.
In fiscal year 2025, Rep. Mike Simpson of the 2nd District has requested nearly $80 million for his district, according to data from the U.S. House. Significant portions of that funding, for projects from microelectronics research at Boise State University to the Boys and Girls Club building in Jerome, have made it through the budget process already. No matter where you live in the 2nd District, there’s likely benefit coming to a community near you as the result of Simpson’s work.
Fulcher, by contrast, has requested $0. So everyone in his district is paying taxes to build bridges and fund research in other people’s districts, without anything returning home. Fulcher’s hands stay clean from all that dirty federal money, and his district suffers for it.
So Peterson is right to criticize Fulcher for failing to show up.
And the 1st District faces many looming issues that require real work, issues like the threat of extinction for Idaho’s salmon and steelhead populations and the four Lower Snake River dams.
The status quo with the dams will not hold. Every day there is no specific plan in place is a day closer to when a court orders them breached, fallout be what it may. If Fulcher has done anything at all to help solve this problem, we’re unaware of it and he didn’t show up to answer questions about it.
We’re confident that Peterson would show up, would work with stakeholders in the district and would push for a real solution.
Peterson’s politics might not align with those of many voters in the 1st District. But they should consider voting for her anyway. Most problems are not ideological. They aren’t political. They are simply practical.
And the 1st District deserves a representative who would show up to solve them. It seems clear that Peterson is that person.
This story was originally published November 1, 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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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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