POCATELLO — As she runs for her 10th term in the Idaho Legislature, Rep. Elaine Smith, D-Pocatello, is touting the institutional knowledge she brings.

Smith is running against Republican Kevin James Brown in Legislative District 29-B. Brown declined an opportunity to interview with the Journal’s editorial board and did not return a request to comment for this story. Idaho Lorax Carta has also filed in the race.

Smith believes her experience as a lawmaker will be especially important in the next session, when at least 17 of the state’s 70 representatives will be newcomers. If re-elected, she said only three of her colleagues would have more seniority.

Smith, who retired in 2010 from a 25-year career with Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25, where she worked as volunteer services business partnerships coordinator, said education is her top priority as a lawmaker.

Her goals heading forward would be to help school districts better access operational funds and to help address a teacher shortage, especially in rural school districts. Smith suggests creating a state program that would forgive student loans for teachers.

Smith is a strong proponent of a proposition on the election ballot to expand Medicaid coverage in Idaho.

“I look at all of these years money that should have been going to Idaho has been going to other states, and if we can get thousands of people who are working poor to have health insurance, it is very beneficial in Idaho,” Smith said.

She’s opposed to another proposition on the ballot, seeking to allow the state to resume the use of machines that pool betting on historic horse races, at locations where horse racing or parimutuel betting also occur.

The legalization of marijuana may be a topic in the coming session. Both times before when the state has mulled allowing cannabidiol oil for medical use, Smith has been a House of Representatives cosponsor of the legislation. She opposes legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

Another issue that may come up in the next session is the repeal of the state’s grocery tax. Smith said she’s “leaning towards” supporting a repeal. But she also cautions that any cuts must not come at the expense of highway maintenance or education. If there’s a budget surplus at the end of the year, she would support increased investment in both infrastructure and education.

Smith said getting approval of legislation pertaining to concussions in high school sports ranks among her proudest accomplishments as a lawmaker. Smith initially got legislation passed, working with the Idaho High School Athletic Association, establishing protocols for preventing and responding to concussions. She later got another bill passed setting penalties for noncompliance.