Idaho residents deserve to get Risch, quick

Dear Gov. Otter,

Would you please consider Lt. Gov. Jim Risch to fill Sen. Larry Craig's U.S. Senate seat?

He has proven his mettle to Idahoans in the Idaho Senate, as governor and now as lieutenant governor.

It is imperative Idaho show the rest of the country that we have politicians who can represent Idahoans in the best possible way.

There are many Idahoans who could do the job.

Idaho needs a family oriented, morally balanced leader who can help guide Idaho.

During his seven months as governor in 2006 — following the appointment of Dirk Kempthorne as secretary of the Interior — Risch was a strong, decisive leader of the nation's third-fastest growing state.

He signed off on rules which prevented coal-fired power plant. As governor, he shepherded property tax reform through a Legislature that was at-time contentious and quarrelsome. And, he also overhauled the state's roadless area management plan.

Sen. Craig's career in now in the rearview mirror. It is time for Idaho to look forward. We think Jim Risch fits the bill.

Get Risch, quick!

? David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee.