Endorsement: Our pick in Democratic primary for state Senate in Boise | Opinion
Idaho Rep. Soñia Galaviz, D-Boise, is a smart, level-headed moderate who can work across the aisle and has proven to be an excellent legislator for District 16 over the past four years.
Now, she’s looking to move over to the Senate, to fill the seat vacated by outgoing Sen. Ali Rabe, who endorsed Galaviz in this race.
The Idaho Statesman likewise endorses Galaviz in the upcoming Democratic primary for state Senate in District 16, which includes west Boise.
Her opponent is Justin “Justice” Mitson, who declined our invitation to interview with the board.
But the editorial board two years ago interviewed Mitson, who appeared to be more of a Republican than a Democrat in many of his views.
Regardless, Galaviz, a schoolteacher, is one of the smartest and most reasonable state legislators that we’ve interviewed.
Her top priorities, if elected to the Senate, are public education, including K–12 and higher education, affordable housing and working on Idaho’s tax structure to ensure adequate funding for essential services.
She said she would push for “shared services” among schools, such as sharing special education professionals, federal programs staff and transportation costs, to increase efficiency and lower costs.
She wants to keep working on school facilities and deferred maintenance solutions, similar to a revolving grant approach for school districts that she championed in the House.
Citing her own adult children, she said addressing Idaho’s housing crisis is a priority for her, and she espouses the policies of the Gem State Housing Alliance, which Rabe now runs.
Finally, as a senator who possibly could be called upon to serve on the legislative budget committee again, she said she would be thoughtful about tax policy.
Recognizing that income tax increases just aren’t in the cards in Idaho, she said she’d look for more creative solutions, such as placing a use tax on vaping, similar to tobacco products, or on kratom. She also said she’d like to look at special tax breaks that corporations and special interests receive.
She voted in 2025 for a bill that provided a $224 million tax cut, but she noted that other cuts and rebates that she voted against ballooned the revenue cut to $450 million, and then Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill that added another $150 million hit to the state’s revenue bottom line, leading to painful cuts in next year’s budget.
She recognizes the need to balance tax relief (especially property tax relief) with the need to maintain revenue for services, schools and infrastructure.
Related to that, she said she does not favor repealing the state sales tax on groceries, acknowledging that would be another hit to state tax revenue. She would favor increasing the grocery tax credit to ensure that particularly lower-income Idahoans are not paying taxes on essential items.
In the end, Galaviz is a centrist, pragmatic legislator who has a proven track record that earns voters’ approval in the Democratic primary.
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, assistant editor 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, 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.
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