Lawyer trades courtroom for campaign trail

SANDPOINT — Answering a call to service is nothing new to James Piotrowski, a Boise lawyer who says he is dedicated to representing the working public in civil rights, employment and disability matters. Initially, the democratic candidate for U.S. Congress had planned to throw his hat into the ring in 2018, but responded to a more immediate need to provide new representation for Idaho, according to The Idaho Statesman.

As a candidate for the first Congressional District in Idaho, Piotrowski seeks to represent the entire western portion of the state, including Bonner County. Should he win the primary election, he would run opposite current U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador, R, for the House seat.

Born into a military family, Piotrowski grew up all over the U.S. A dedicated outdoorsman, he raised his two children to appreciate the National Forests of Idaho. He has worked with organizations to help preserve Idaho's natural treasures he said. He disagrees with Labrador's belief that states should take control of U.S. Forest Service lands.

"It would sacrifice our natural heritage and lock us out of the recreational places we enjoy," Piotrowski said. 

Piotrowski was campaigning in Sandpoint Thursday, expressing a can-do attitude toward difficult issues facing the state and the country.

"We've reached a point where we know how to build a good economy. We know how to create good jobs. Once we decide we want to do something about it, we know how to do it," he said.

His prime objectives in his bid for a seat in the nation's capitol include breaking up the gridlock in Congress, creating more jobs with better benefits, and promoting more investment in post-secondary education and job training, he said.

Piotrowski does not see current lawmakers trying very hard to address the unending list of issues facing the nation, and he believes that people are suffering because of it.

"I've spent the last 20 years of my life solving problems," Piotrowski said. "I want to bring those skills that I've learned in negotiating difficult situations and solving difficult problems (to Congress)," he said.

"I am an advocate for other people. I'm lousy at advancing my own interests. I'm at my best when I'm fighting for someone else," the candidate said.