Endorsement: Boise council incumbent faces two polar opposites | Opinion
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November 2025 endorsements
Here are the Idaho Statesman’s endorsements in key city races in the Treasure Valley.
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The race for Boise City Council, District 6, presents an interesting choice for voters.
Incumbent Jimmy Hallyburton, who has been on the council for six years, faces a challenge from former fellow City Council member Lisa Sánchez and Lynn Bradescu, who is active in Republican Party politics.
The Idaho Statesman endorses Jimmy Hallyburton for Boise City Council, District 6.
Hallyburton cites several key accomplishments during his time as a city council member, including developing the pathways master plan to build 112 miles of pathways through every neighborhood and creating affordable housing Land Trust projects, such as Franklin and Orchard project, Wilson Station, the underway Dorado Station apartments and Capital Campus project with Boise State University.
The former director of the Boise Bicycle Project also cited his work on regional transportation planning, such as protecting easements and preparing for potential future regional rail connecting Boise to Caldwell.
We wish Bradescu had been more specific in what she’d do as a City Council member.
She cited the city budget as one of her top priorities, but it was a challenge drawing answers out of her about what she’d do.
“The budget is inflated, we believe,” she said. “And we’re very, very concerned about property taxes.”
And what are some of your solutions?
“Probably staffing and not approving things that we don’t need, like luxury items.”
Such as?
“Well, I think the pathways are some sort of a luxury item,” she said. “I’d like to see the private sector pay for that. I think it would be great to have pathways with names inserted into the sidewalk, so by the private sector, I think that would be really good. Like naming rights. I think that would be a fabulous idea.”
That’s well and good, but we don’t think that will go very far.
Bradescu said City Council members aren’t listening to the residents. City Council members are listening to residents; they’re just making decisions that not everyone agrees with. If Bradescu were on the City Council and voted against the zoning code rewrite, affordable housing or Interfaith Sanctuary’s relocation, would that mean she’s not listening to the residents?
We also wish Sánchez had been more specific about what she would do as a City Council member.
As a City Council member, Sanchez wrote and passed Boise’s rental application fee ordinance, which protected tenants from unfair fees. Sánchez, the first Latina elected to Boise City Council and the only minority on council, was selected as president pro tem.
We like Sánchez and appreciate the experience and representation of underrepresented communities she would bring to the City Council, but we found some of her answers confusing, such as not wanting to use the word “qualify” when letting people know they qualify for the city’s property tax rebate program.
And while she pointed out that increases in the city budget could be “catastrophic” for low-income residents, she offered few details about what she’d do in addressing the city’s budget other than using a $500,000 contingency fund for a renters’ ombudsman position.
Hallyburton demonstrates a much deeper and detailed understanding of how the city’s budget works and the challenges the city faces in paying for police and fire services, affordable housing, parks and pathways, all the things that make Boise a great city.
Hallyburton has earned another term on City Council.
Statesman editorials are the opinion of the Idaho Statesman’s editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members John Hess, Debbie McCormick and Julie Yamamoto.
This story was originally published October 20, 2025 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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