Candidates debate issues at forum

SANDPOINT — If voters were hoping to compare and contrast the positions of candidates in two high-profile political races, they likely came away from the Sandpoint Reader candidate forum on Wednesday disappointed.

Incumbent Rep. Heather Scott, a Blanchard Republican, boycotted the forum and urged her supporters to do likewise in a Facebook post that lambasted the local media and portrayed the event as a trap meant to ensnare candidates so their words can be twisted and taken out of context to further a liberal conspiracy against her. Scott faces Kate McAlister, a Sandpoint Democrat who is campaigning for better education and transportation infrastructure, in addition to business growth that brings jobs to the community.

“We need to make sure we have an educated workforce,” said McAlister, who added that she believes District 1 is ready for representation that listens to constituents and is responsive to their concerns.

Also conspicuously absent was incumbent Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler, who defeated Terry Ford in the primary election for the GOP nod. Ford, however, opted to continue his election bid as a write-in candidate on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Ford told voters that people are known to roll up his driveway in search of help after they’ve been victimized by a theft or burglary. Ford said property crime enforcement has become so lax that one suspect actually dropped his wallet and a crime scene yet somehow managed to avoid being charged.

“I refuse to back down to these criminals. Property crimes will be investigated,” said Ford, adding that drug interdiction in Bonner County has fallen to the wayside.

Only two races at the forum drew competitors from both sides of the ballot — the contests for the District 1 state senate seat and the District 1B representative seat.

Incumbent Republican District 1 Sen. Shawn Keough said her lengthy experience in the Legislature and track record will continue to serve Idahoans in the Panhandle well, as evidenced by gains made in transportation.

“I want to continue that work,” said Keough, who chairs the influential Senate Finance Committee and holds a seat on the Transportation Committee.

Tanner, meanwhile, said the country has strayed too far from its founding principals, which has brought about abortion and the removal of prayer in public schools.

“We need to return to that,” said Tanner.

In the contest for the District 1B representative, Democrat Stephen Howlett called for improved education funding by restoring the use of lottery proceeds.

“The legislature has since taken it over to the general fund.

But Sage Dixon, the incumbent Republican 1B rep, said there are already a range of programs already on place, such as online instruction, accelerated schooling and academic credentials that aid students in their post-secondary careers. Spending money, Dixon said, was not the sole solution.

“It’s always an easy argument to make,” said Dixon.

But other legislative candidates who appeared at the forum without their Election Day counterparts lamented what they saw as a sorry state of schools funding. Jessica Chilcott, a Democrat from Sandpoint who is running for the District 7A set in the House, said Idaho’s funding remains at the bottom of the list when compared to other states.

“Those costs are getting pushed down to the county level,” said Chilcott, who is also calling for better funding for mental health programs in Idaho.

Chilcott faces Republican Priscilla Giddings, who did not attend Wednesday’s forum.

Ken Meyers, a Sagle Democrat who’s running against Republican Carl Crabtree, joined McAlister, Howlett and Chilcott in raising the state’s minimum wage.

“I believe that everybody should make a living wage,” said Meyers.

Dixon and Tanner disagreed with an increase in the minimum wage, which they opposed as a government mandate.

Bonner County commissioners-elect Jeff Connolly and Dan McDonald also attended the forum even though they do not face challengers in the general election.