Endorsement roundup: Our picks in Boise, Garden City, Eagle, more | 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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Voters don’t pay nearly enough attention to city races, which is a shame because one could argue that mayors and city council and school board members have a more direct impact on residents’ daily lives than many other public officials.
And yet, turnout for city races tend to be much lower than for legislative or presidential elections.
One of the causes of low voter turnout may be low information. Voters may not know much about the candidates or even what district they’re in.
To help combat that, news reporters at the Idaho Statesman put together a thorough voter guide of candidates in Boise, Garden City, Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell, Star, Kuna and the West Ada School District.
Over here on the opinion side, we made endorsements in the city council races in Boise, Garden City and Eagle and the mayoral races in Garden City, Nampa and Caldwell. We also weighed in on two levies: an open space levy in Boise and a public safety levy in Meridian.
So to help you figure out who to vote for, here’s a handy roundup of all the Idaho Statesman’s endorsements in this year’s election.
Boise open space levy
Over the past 25 years, Boise taxpayers have funded the purchase and preservation of more than 12,000 acres of open space, including such popular hiking and biking trails through the Hulls Gulch Reserve, Military Reserve, Polecat Gulch, Stack Rock and Hawkins Reserve.
And now the time has come to ask Boise taxpayers once again for another levy, this time $11 million for the next round of open space preservation. We encourage Boise voters to step up and approve this next round of funding.
It’s part of what makes us a great city.
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses passage of the Boise open space and clean water levy on the November ballot.
Read our full endorsement here.
Boise City Council, District 2
In the upcoming Boise City Council election in District 2, incumbent council president Colin Nash faces a challenge from two political newcomers, Derek Smith and Josh Ellstrom. Both Smith and Ellstrom impressed us with the research they’ve done on the issues to prepare for this race and their desire to serve the community.
But Nash has been an effective and thoughtful City Council member and is well-versed in and has a deep knowledge of the issues facing the city. The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses Colin Nash for reelection to the Boise City Council in District 2.
Read our full endorsement here.
Boise City Council, District 6
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.
Read our full endorsement here.
Garden City mayor
For the first time in 20 years, Garden City will have a new mayor. That’s because five-term Mayor John Evans is not seeking reelection.
Seeking to take his place are three candidates: Bill Jacobs, Molly Lenty and Teresa Roundy.
The Idaho Statesman endorses Bill Jacobs for Garden City mayor.
Read our full endorsement here.
Garden City City Council
Voters in Garden City have an embarrassment of riches when choosing City Council members in this year’s election. No fewer than six candidates are running for two seats.
In addition to City Council incumbent Teresa Jorgensen, the five other candidates are: Wendy Carver-Herbert, Gage Coprivnicar, Dennis Mansfield, Starr Shepard and Kelceymarie Warner.
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses Teresa Jorgensen and Starr Shepard for City Council in Garden City on Nov. 4.
Read our full endorsement here.
Meridian public safety levy
Voters in Meridian will be asked to approve a $5 million public safety levy that would be used to keep on 13 firefighters, give raises to police officers and establish a city prosecutor office. The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses the levy and encourages voters to approve it.
Read our full endorsement here.
Eagle City Council
The race for two open spots on the Eagle City Council is crowded, with seven people in the running. Those running are:
- Steve Bender, a retired quality assurance officer and current Eagle Sewer Board member and state treasurer with the Idaho Republican Party.
- Danielle Davis, a senior tax accountant.
- Robert Gillis, a retired law enforcement officer.
- Beth Haney, a nurse practitioner who moved from California about a year ago where she was a City Council member and mayor in Yorba Linda.
- Tom Letz, a contractor courier.
- Nancy Merrill, former Eagle mayor and council member and former director of the Idaho Parks and Recreation Department.
- Kenny Pittman, a marketing director for an Eagle payroll business and former Eagle City Council member.
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses Merrill and Letz in the election for Eagle City Council.
Read our full endorsement here.
Nampa mayor
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.
The Idaho Statesman endorses Rick Hogaboam for Nampa mayor.
Read our full endorsement here.
Caldwell mayor
Caldwell Mayor Jarom Wagoner is facing challenges from two candidates who are both critical of how they say Wagoner has managed the city. Current City Council member Brad Doty and former Caldwell Police school resource officer Eric Phillips say communication is lacking and Wagoner hasn’t done a good job of managing the city administration.
While there may be smoke, we’re not convinced there’s a fire at City Hall, and we don’t believe that all these problems can be laid at the feet of Wagoner. And we’re not convinced that his challengers would be an improvement.
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses Jarom Wagoner for another term as Caldwell’s mayor.
Read our full endorsement here.
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.
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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