Endorsement: Four unique candidates want to be Nampa mayor. Our pick | Opinion
READ MORE
November 2025 endorsements
Here are the Idaho Statesman’s endorsements in key city races in the Treasure Valley.
Expand All
Voters in the city of Nampa will elect a new mayor for the first time since 2017, when two-term Mayor Debbie Kling was first elected. Kling is leaving office after this year.
Running to replace her are four candidates: Justin Buchholz, Rick Hogaboam, Eric Myricks and Suzi Robinson.
Hogaboam, the current Republican Canyon County clerk, former chief of staff to Kling and former Nampa City Council member, possesses the experience, knowledge and temperament to be an excellent mayor.
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses Rick Hogaboam to be Nampa’s next mayor.
Hogaboam previously was the director for Lifeline Pregnancy Care Center and also started the maternity home called The Nesting Place.
He said he is most concerned about maintaining the quality of life in Nampa as the city grows.
To that end, he said his top priorities are public safety, by emphasizing community policing and data-driven strategies; traffic infrastructure, by addressing congestion and improving arterial roads; and focusing on parks, pathways and recreational facilities.
“We (my wife and I) feel that it’s a great community to live, work, play, raise a family,” Hogaboam told the editorial board. “And as we grow, which is top of mind for a lot of people, we want to make sure that we grow in a way that we protect our quality of life.”
Hogaboam won’t commit to a position on the transfer of the Ford Idaho Center to the College of Western Idaho, other than to say that CWI ownership “could be a good thing.”
He does say that he would have handled the process differently, saying that he would have started the process much earlier, spending 6–9 months soliciting public feedback and input, and possibly establishing an ad hoc committee to explore options.
He acknowledged the process that played out made people feel blindsided, with a press release coming out just weeks before a potential decision, which didn’t give citizens enough time to understand and engage with the issue.
We have no doubt Hogaboam’s thoughtful and deliberate manner would have produced a better process.
Myricks presents the most viable alternative to Hogaboam, but he is running an unnecessarily negative campaign against Hogaboam. It’s a bad look.
Myricks is a musician who goes by the stage name Elijah Rock, and he runs a music-based nonprofit that focuses on dementia research and brain health awareness.
His priorities are managing growth; developing downtown Nampa into an attractive, vibrant area; improving transparency and communication with citizens; attracting industry partners with high-paying jobs; supporting small businesses; and improving the city’s infrastructure.
We are particularly encouraged by the campaign of Buchholz, a truck driver and self-described “regular guy.”
“I’m a blue collar worker, and really, when it comes down to it, this isn’t about politics,” he said in an interview. “It’s about the people.”
While Buchholz may have an ax to grind because of a personal situation with the city and Kling, he has educated himself about city issues, particularly on the Ford Idaho Center conveyance, and brings a common-sense, everyman perspective on a host of issues, such as improving downtown and creating a more responsive city government.
Robinson has run unsuccessfully for several offices, including Nampa mayor three times, Idaho House of Representatives and Idaho Senate, and for Idaho governor. She has run as a Democrat in the past but said she is now a Republican, due to what she perceives as the Democratic Party moving “so far to the left.”
All four candidates are running active campaigns and bring forward important issues to the future of Nampa.
But for our money, Hogaboam offers the best choice to deliver on his vision.
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. Hogaboam previously served on the editorial board of the Idaho Press-Tribune, when McIntosh was the editor.
This story was originally published October 23, 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, assistant editor 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.
