Endorsement: Ada commissioner faces another challenge in GOP primary | Opinion
Ada County Commissioner Ryan Davidson is facing a challenger in the Republican primary for his District 1 seat from Holly Cook, a communications professional with a history of government work.
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses Holly Cook in the Republican primary.
This editorial board has interviewed Davidson several times over the past six years in primary and general elections and has never endorsed him, citing some of his public behavior, his attendance alongside Black Lives Matter counterprotesters, and his attempt to intervene with a judge on behalf of Ammon Bundy.
Our criticism extends to his decisions as a county commissioner: installing anti-vaccine doctor Ryan Cole on the health board, cutting funding for a housing-first initiative that has proven results, his votes against fireworks bans during the hottest and driest times of the summer and his vote against a solar farm project in rural Ada County.
Cook, meanwhile, said she would vote against Cole serving on the health board and rightly recognizes the value of housing-first efforts.
She doesn’t think commissioners should take less than the 3% allowable increase in property tax revenue only to later take the foregone amount.
If commissioners do take foregone property tax revenue, she would call for publicly noticed hearings and a unanimous vote. She also supports a clear one‑page fiscal impact report for taxpayers to understand the budget more easily.
She believes the county should take the lead on dealing with an invasive rat problem, something, she said, Davidson has not done.
Her top priorities are transparency and open government, making sure growth pays for itself and expanding the county jail. She is critical of the county using American Rescue Plan funds for the park at Expo Idaho instead of to expand the jail.
She said the jail expansion is non‑negotiable, given growth and overcrowding, and she would support another bond attempt but with better public education and input through a citizen advisory committee.
Cook supports the idea of a county-level land trust that could be used toward affordable housing. Along with that, she supports Valley Regional Transit, noting that public transportation is a key factor in affordability. She also supports long-term planning now for a future commuter rail line between Caldwell and Boise, voicing her trust in the planning process of the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho.
Cook would be an excellent addition to the commission and a good replacement for Davidson.
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. Clark recused himself from this endorsement.
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?
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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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