Endorsement: Democrats face off in primary for Idaho congressional seat | Opinion
In a rare Democratic primary for federal office in Idaho, two candidates are vying to be on the ticket in November for a U.S. House seat in the 1st Congressional District, a seat currently held by Republican Russ Fulcher.
Three-time candidate Kaylee Peterson faces a primary challenger this time around in Ken Brungardt, a retiree who lives in Meridian.
Brungardt says he wants to bring Idaho back to the center. He’s running on issues such as supporting working families, veterans and seniors. Brungardt is an unpolished everyman who admits he’s not an orator.
Peterson is more eloquent and knowledgeable about the issues. She acknowledges the district’s deep red conservatism and distances herself from her party where necessary. Her previous two runs have only made her more polished, pointed and more fiery in her answers.
We would love to see a head-to-head debate between Peterson and Fulcher, and we encourage voters to make that happen.
The Idaho Statesman endorses Peterson in the Democratic primary for the U.S. House in the 1st Congressional District.
Her top priority is governmental accountability, banning congressional stock trading, imposing term limits, campaign finance reform and creating a new independent oversight and enforcement agency for politicians who break the rules.
She also centers her campaign on establishing a working-class economy by addressing regulatory and tax structures that currently advantage large corporations and burden small- and mid-sized businesses.
She supports protecting public lands, but she scolds her party for not involving locals who live off the land in making environmental decisions.
“A lot of the Republican farmers that I talked to, especially throughout Central and North Idaho, fell out with the Democratic Party in the ’90s over the big push for environmentalism,” Peterson told the editorial board. “And mainly that’s because they didn’t bring in a lot of our loggers, our miners, our people who work in these necessary industries, who rely on these industries. They didn’t bring them to the table to make sure that they were going to be taken care of.”
We recognize any Democrat’s uphill battle in a general election in this district, which Fulcher won with 71% of the vote last time. But Peterson is the real deal, and voters — Democratic, Republican and unaffiliated — should give her consideration come November. In the meantime, Democratic voters in the 1st Congressional District have a candidate they can support enthusiastically in the primary on May 19.
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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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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