About

I live and work in a beautiful area of the state of Idaho!  I have farmed and ranched in the Terreton area all my life. I have been married to my wife, Joni, for 39 years and we have five children and 16 grandchildren.

It has been my privilege to represent Legislative District 35 in the legislature the past four sessions and in the state senate for the last two sessions.  I served on the Agriculture, Resource & Conservation, and Joint Finance-Appropriations (JFAC) Committees. I am uniquely positioned to assist with all natural resource, water and agricultural issues.  For the first time in 50 years, the State of Idaho and the Idaho Water Users were able to recharge more water into the aquifer than was taken out. This is of great benefit not only to farmers, but also to cities and businesses.  We are working hard to create a healthy and stable aquifer for our future needs.

A quality education has long been one of my top priorities in both our District and the State.  I am always impressed with the vision and commitment of our school administrators, teachers, staff and students.  In the past four years, the legislature increased funding for schools by more than $100 million each year; yet, out of necessity, we still require supplement levees and bonding in many areas.  We must get to the point where our salaries and benefits will attract the best and brightest teachers to our state. Our children deserve it!

As a member of JFAC, I have the responsibility, together with other committee members, to set the budgets for all state agencies.  We are charged with weighing the needs of the departments against the available revenue. Idaho is the fastest growing state in the nation, and we struggle to keep pace with our technology and infrastructure needs.  This assignment has allowed me to work with the various agencies of state government and gain an appreciation for what they provide for us as citizens of our legislative district, as well as the entire state.