Independent Jana Kemp files candidacy for Idaho governor
Independent Jana Kemp files candidacy for Idaho governor today, seeks to attract the majority ofvoters who've lost faith in either party
Kemp pledges to bring experience in business and government to job
March 8, 2010
For more information, contact:
Jana Kemp, 208-367-1701
Jana Kemp, a businesswoman and former state legislator,officially registered her candidacy for governor with the Idaho Secretary of State, Monday, March 08, 2010, the first day to file.
"I look forward to meeting more of the people of Idaho this year and to serving Idaho as Governor," said Kemp, who is campaigning on a platform of jobs, education, energy, fairness and responsibility. In Idaho, we have the intelligence, the creativity and the work ethic to overcome our temporary challenges. I want to empower all of us to use our gifts, apply them where they will do the most good, and contribute to the bright and exciting future of Idaho."
Kemp, 44, moved from Minnesota to Idaho in 1994 and has a lengthy resume as a business owner, author, speaker and volunteer; see her Website and Facebook page for details.
Kemp is an independent candidate and not affiliated with any political party. She was a Republican state legislator from 2004-2006 representing Northwest Boise. But, paraphrasing Ronald Reagan when he shifted his alignment from the Democratic Party in 1962, Kemp says "I didn't leave the party; the party left me. What we need is someone to focus on Idaho - not on party politics and gamesmanship."
Kemp says neither party is able to represent Americans well,a point that most Americans already know. According to a September 2009 Rasmussen poll, 60 percent believe neither Republican nor Democratic political leaders have an understanding of what is needed today. More than 70 percent of Republicans and unaffiliated voters say neither party has the answers; Democrats are more evenly divided.
"This is the perfect time for an independent to run forgovernor in Idaho and the need has never been greater," Kemp said. "The President said in the State of the Union address that ˜lobbyists should not beat the policy making table." And Idaho's incumbent Governor, in his State of the State address said 'Idahoans are just as independent as ever!'"
Kemp said there is a strong likelihood the national sentiment toward getting rid of incumbents from either party will lend itselfto people not voting for either party, but rather voting for an independent with the experience and skill to do the job.
Kemp has outlined a five-point platform regarding jobs, education, energy, fairness and responsibility.
Economic policy: lower corporate taxes and create a business-friendly environment; mend relations with the state's high-tech and creative sectors; and promote home-grown small business, as well as increase efforts to attract businesses from out of state
Education: Increase number of Idahoans enrolling in college (Idaho ranks in the bottom 10 states in percent of college graduates in the population); promote early childhood education; and protect the education budget from being raided for transportation and other programs
Energy: All-of-the-above strategy, including promoting conservation and efficiency and renewable, nuclear and low-carbon fossil energy.
Fairness: Give Idaho homeowners a 7-year rolling average valuation for property tax assessment, to ensure taxes don't go up when housing values go down; resist federal programs that tell Idahoans what to do, how to live, and where to spend our money; and respect legislators and members of the public even if they disagree with her and oppose her.
Responsibility: Government must live within its means; listen to citizens and learn from that they have to say; and have transparency, so citizens can see who is influencing government, and why.