POCATELLO — Idaho Rep. Kelley Packer, R-McCammon, has a pretty busy road trip ahead of her.

Packer officially announced her candidacy for Idaho lieutenant governor on Monday at Holt Arena in front of the RV she will use to campaign across Idaho. Packer will make 205 stops in her campaign, visiting all of the state’s 200 incorporated cities and five reservations.

“It’s going to be a huge lift and a lot of hard work, but I’m up for that challenge,” Packer said. “I’m pretty excited for the opportunity and for the experience that I’m sure I’ll have meeting lots of neat people across the state as we talk about what’s important to Idaho and the people that live here.”

On both sides of the RV are graphics of Packer’s face, as well as the state of Idaho with each of the counties’ borders. On one side, she’ll have Idaho’s various mayors and/or city council members sign on their location, and county commissioners will sign the other side.

The signatures are intended to signify proof of Packer’s many upcoming stops and are not intended to be endorsements of those who sign. On Monday, Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad signed one side, while Bannock County commissioners Terrel Tovey and Evan Frasure signed the other.

It was about a year ago, Packer says, that she began preparing to campaign for lieutenant governor. As a state legislator, she would come across issues she believed there were better solutions for. But as a representative, she didn’t have the means to effect the change.

“It wasn’t something that maybe could be changed with a new law or even improving an existing law,” Packer said. “But as a member of the executive branch, it would be something that I could — as a member of leadership at the table, as part of the discussion — find solutions for and improvements for.”

Packer — who is currently in her fifth year and third term in the Idaho House — already has a list of goals as lieutenant governor.

She wants to work with state agencies to be more efficient and to ensure services are provided cost effectively. She wants to grow the economy, which means not just more jobs, but better jobs. She wants to provide Idaho’s next generation with the ability and opportunity to stay in Idaho to find careers, which also means providing young people with the kind of education that will coincide with workforce demands and industry needs.

But these goals don’t work without the proper infrastructure.

“I want to make sure we are addressing our infrastructure in the proper manner,” Packer said. “If we don’t take care of our foundation is this state, the rest won’t matter. We won’t be able to provide quality education. We won’t be able to provide the services our residents rely on and need. We won’t be able to grow the economy. If the roads are crumbling and the bridges are falling down, then the safety of our residents and the safety of our economy are also affected by that in a negative manner.”

So far, Packer is one of only three individuals who have thrown their name into the hat to become Idaho’s next lieutenant governor. Former Rep. Janice McGeachin of Idaho Falls will also run, as will state Sen. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian. With incumbent Lt. Gov. Brad Little’s upcoming gubernatorial bid, the position will be wide open.

Packer’s formal announcement Monday comes on the same day that Idaho Republican Party Chairman Steve Yates announced his intent to step down as party chair. In a statement, Yates said that “in recent weeks many supporters have asked me to consider running for another office, and I have decided to give that serious consideration.” Yates has said previously that he is considering a run for lieutenant governor.

“It will add another body to the mix,” said Packer on Yates’ potential candidacy for lieutenant governor. “Chairman Yates is an amazing man and is intelligent and has a lot of great experiences, but I don’t necessarily think it changes the dynamic of the election. I’m in it to work hard, regardless of who gets involved, and with the end goal of winning.”

After kicking off her campaign in Pocatello, Packer and her RV — which she says is her parents’ retirement toy they are letting her borrow — took to American Falls and then to Boise.

That’s three stops down and plenty more to go. Packer is thrilled to be embarking on her tour of the state she loves.

“I want as many Idahoans to know that I’m running and why,” she said. “And encourage them to get out and vote. Whether that’s for me or another candidate, it doesn’t matter. But people need to be engaged and understand what this position entails and what each candidate will bring to the table.”