Endorsement: Three Democrats running in primary for U.S. Senate | Opinion
Three Idaho Democrats are running in the primary for U.S. Senate for the seat held by Republican Sen. Jim Risch, who is running in a primary himself.
The candidates are Nickolas Bonds, Brad Moore and David Roth
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses David Roth in this race.
Roth has the best chance of winning in the general election, likely against Risch. Roth has run for federal office in Idaho before, including against U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson in 2022.
He is a longtime Idaho resident and lives in Idaho Falls, where he is raising two sons. He has spent much of his career in higher education and more recently has worked in nonprofit leadership. He has served on boards focused on housing and affordability, food insecurity and youth substance misuse prevention.
Roth argues that Idaho and the country need to “pull left” to get back to a true center, after decades of Republican dominance.
His top priorities are Medicare for all, affordability (with a focus on housing/homeownership) and protecting public lands.
He also said he wants to restore checks and balances, something Risch has disgracefully abandoned, reform Congress and protect democracy. He also wants to strengthen public education and opposes efforts to dismantle it.
Roth supports higher and more conditional taxes on corporations and top earners, using the tax code as a carrot to incentivize investment and job creation in the U.S.
Roth is notably better than his opponents in experience, knowledge and ability to express his positions.
Bonds is a North Idaho native and University of Idaho graduate who holds four bachelor’s degrees (operations management, marketing analytics, human resource management, management information systems) and a master’s in adult organizational learning and leadership.
Moore is a lifelong Idaho resident with a working-class background. He joined the Army, then worked as an electrician and worked at Walmart a few years ago in a temporary job.
He said this mix of jobs helps him identify with working-class people, contrasting himself with career politicians or candidates with exclusively executive‑type backgrounds.
He is highly critical of Risch, calling him overly partisan and too old to run again. He describes himself as “about as progressive as you can get,” and supports medicinal cannabis legalization, women’s and LGBTQ+ rights and other groups historically supported by Democrats.
Any Democrat will have an uphill battle in the general election, but Roth has the best chance out of the candidates 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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