Rognstad seeks governor's seat

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LEWISTON — In front of the historic Lewis and Clark Hotel Monday, Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad announced his bid for governor, saying he will stop the extremism and divisiveness facing the state and advocate for more funding to education.

“Right now we can restore the power in Idaho. We can stand against extremism and come together on the issues that unite us,” said Rognstad. “We can put a check on extremism. We can bring civility, democracy and decency back to the capital, back to our neighborhoods and back to our public space.”

In announcing his candidacy, Rognstad said he will stand up for Idaho values, families, communities and Idaho’s future.

Originally from Lewiston, Rognstad said he was born in a conservative family in a time when political views did not separate people from their friends and neighbors. Idahoans had a shared set of values that held communities together in challenging times, such as the great depression and both world wars, he said.

“The Republican party I grew up with has become more extreme,” said Rognstad. “So extreme that basic life saving public health measures are ignored … so extreme that an armed faction of radicals stormed the state capital two summers ago for the first time in our state’s history.”

Rognstad said that there is an “unspoken fear” gripping Idaho and the nation which is having an absolute chilling effect on democracy. However, he said that Idahoans can push through the fear that separates them and through the misinformation that divides them.

He said that Idaho has changed and the state needs leadership, since “common sense leadership” has been replaced with “authoritarianism and culture wars.”

“The Republican leadership seems to be doing everything in its power to take away local control from local government, defund local government and prevent locals from creating their own destiny.”

He will empower locals to make their own decisions and govern as they see fit, said Rognstad, he said he will fight for democracy not against it.

“Why has caring for one another become divisive?” he asked. “The public health system had never been so politicized.”

He went on to speak of how COVID-19 has impacted him and his family and the many people he knows who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

Rognstad said that Governor Brad Little has shirked his responsibility to the community by pushing responsibility to local leaders. Rather than spend resources on citizens, Little is wasting taxpayers dollars on suing the federal government, he added.

He said as governor he will stand up for the community, work with the Legislature to support health care workers.

“I will stand with our frontline workers to increase capacity in the health care system and will work with doctors and scientists to support a science-based approach to COVID instead of ignoring cries for help.”

He said that the Republican party in Idaho has become so extreme that Idaho has abandoned “our kids’ education.” He went on to say that the state invests less per student than any other state in the nation and that Idaho is still falling behind. Rognstad said that he was proud of towns like Lewiston and Sandpoint that have passed local levies for education.

“But in Idaho we want more than bright spots. We want stable funding in all [schools].”

He also advocated for workforce training for the needed skills of tomorrow, to fight for competitive wages for teachers’ salaries and the protection of Idaho’s public lands, air and water.

Rognstad said that he feels immensely supported by the democratic leadership throughout the state. He is committed to Idaho’s values, to the communities shared values, but Idaho politics have changed, he said. Rognstad invited those in attendance to come back and take back the state for “everyday” Idahoans.

His website is electshelby.com.