Any worthy candidate takes the time to understand the challenges facing Idaho families, businesses and communities and the solutions needed. They should have a plan and tell voters what they will do about it.

But that is not what we are seeing from some Republican campaigns in Idaho.

I recently came across an ad from a longtime Republican officeholder running for reelection. After decades in public office, he should have accomplishments to point to and plans to offer. Instead, the entire message was that Donald Trump endorsed him.

No discussion of rising costs. No answer on housing, tariffs, the war in Iran or access to healthcare. Just an endorsement. That moment stuck with me because it says a lot about Idaho Republican politics.

Republicans have nearly every lever of political power. They control every statewide office and an overwhelming majority in the Legislature. Their party controls the White House and Congress. So they should have a compelling answer when Idahoans ask what that power has done to make their lives better.

But most Idaho families see our state moving in the wrong direction.

The cost of everyday life keeps climbing. Regular gas is nearly $5 a gallon in Idaho, while diesel has climbed above $6 and reached record highs. That means higher costs for farms, freight, school buses, groceries, construction materials and everything else that moves across our state.

Mortgages and rent are swallowing more family budgets. Healthcare has become harder to afford. After Republicans in Congress refused to extend the ACA premium tax credits, monthly premiums shot up by an average of 50%, forcing 30,000 Idahoans off coverage.

Idaho Democrats know these issues are weighing on Idahoans because we are listening. This year, we have knocked on more than 90,000 doors and made 100,000 phone calls across the state. Those conversations keep coming back to the same thing: people are working hard, paying more and wondering if their government is going to make life easier or harder.

That is why Idaho Democrats are focused on kitchen-table economics for regular families. We want to eliminate the sales tax on groceries, protect Medicaid, increase the supply of starter homes and restore premium tax credits that put health coverage in reach.

While we are meeting voters where they are, too many Republican candidates are avoiding tough questions and campaigning on their loyalty to Trump, a president with a plummeting approval rating, now at 46% in Idaho.

Idaho Democrats are not looking for endorsements from billionaires obsessed with ballrooms. We are proud to be backed by teachers, firefighters, public lands advocates and Idahoans who care about their communities.

This November, let’s elect the candidates with plans to make Idaho stronger, not rubber stamps.

Onward,

Lauren Necochea
Idaho Democratic Party Chair