Longtime lawmaker incumbent Jim Guthrie will face a challenge for the District 28 Senate seat from candidate David Worley in the Republican primary election on May 19.
Ahead of the election, the Idaho State Journal asked Guthrie and Worley the same three questions designed to give the voters of Bannock, Franklin and Power counties in Idaho’s 28th Legislative District a basic understanding of who each candidate is and how their backgrounds, goals and desires to seek office may impact who they ultimately cast a ballot for.
Background
Guthrie said he has deep roots in Bannock County agriculture and industry. He grew up on a farm and has maintained a cow-calf and farming operation throughout his life. He worked as a journeyman carpenter and in heavy industry at the cement factory in Inkom before turning his focus to public service. That record includes six years on the Marsh Valley School Board, six years as a Bannock County commissioner, two years in the Idaho House and 14 years in the Senate. He also chaired the Bannock County Republican Central Committee for two years and served on the Portneuf Medical Center Board of Trustees.
Worley said he was born and raised in Idaho and is an Iraq War veteran with 23 years of military service. He deployed three times to the Middle East, including two tours to Iraq, serving as both an enlisted soldier and an Army infantry officer.
He started his bachelor’s degree at Idaho State University and finished at George Mason University, and holds a master’s degree from the Institute of World Politics. He is a married father of five, a small-business owner and a project manager.
Why they’re runningWorley said his motivation is preventing Idaho from following the political path of states like Colorado, where he believes Republicans have governed too liberally, opening the door to Democratic control.
“When Republicans campaign as conservatives, but govern like liberals, the voters lose confidence in the party,” Worley said. “Idaho is our home, and I want to secure our state so our children can live free and prosper.”
Guthrie said he still believes he has things to contribute and is concerned about what he sees as a growing focus on fringe political issues at the expense of the economy, education and infrastructure. He said he represents a common-sense, thoughtful approach in what he views as a fractured Republican Party.
“We are at a critical time where there’s a fracture in the Republican Party and I feel like I represent the common sense, thoughtful approach to things,” Guthrie said.
Goals
Guthrie outlined several priorities if reelected. He wants to curb the volume of legislation moving through the statehouse, a push he said resulted in a Senate-passed bill that would limit how much legislation individual members can bring forward. He also wants to restore a presidential primary to replace the caucus system, protect Idaho’s water amid an ongoing drought he called one of the worst he has seen, and strengthen education at all levels — with a particular emphasis on career and technical education and the state’s Launch program, which offers up to $8,000 to high school seniors pursuing in-demand careers.
Worley listed water protection for farmers, stricter enforcement of immigration laws, reducing the tax burden on families through limited government, and opposing what he called “radical gender ideology” in schools among his top priorities.
“We need conservative leadership in Boise that is committed to defending our wallets and our values,” Worley said.
The winner of the GOP District 28 Senate primary race will face Mandy Peace, of Chubbuck, in the November general election, who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary May 19.
Absentee and early voting end Friday, May 16. Ballots can be cast until 5 p.m. at the Bannock County Elections Office and the clerk’s offices inside the Power County and Franklin County courthouses.
Election Day is Tuesday, May 19. Polling places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For a full list of polling locations, visit voteidaho.gov.