Jim Woodward

BIOGRAPHY

Jim Woodward is an excavation and marine contractor who grew up in Bonners Ferry before earning a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Idaho.

He served in the U.S. Navy, serving for 21 years of active and reserve duty and retiring as a commander.

Woodward and his wife, Brenda have been married for 30 years and have two adult children.

He serves as a Northern Lights Electric Co-Op director, Sagle Fire District commissioner, and Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Board; and actively volunteers in the community in both Bonner and Boundary counties.

He can be reached via email at jim@woodwardforsenate.org and online at woodwardforsenate.org.

ANSWERS: 

1. My first 100 days will look like all the days I serve. I would like to keep Idaho IDAHO. I think most everyone is here for similar reasons, whether new to the area or from a multi-generational Idaho family. We enjoy our independence but with responsibility for our actions. We want small government that is fiscally conservative. We live and let live. We believe that the best decisions are those made closest to home. I advocate for states’ rights in our federalist system and local decision-making by locally elected officials within the state.

2. Education – We have a constitutional obligation to our state education system. Let’s raise and educate our youth so they can fend for themselves and continue on with our great state and country.

Healthcare – We are running our doctors out of Idaho. I do not believe in abortion as birth control, but I do believe in medical decisions by medical professionals to protect the physical health of a woman.

Property taxes – Our system is often unpredictable, especially for residential property taxpayers.

3. Education - A solution is a renewed focus on the fundamentals so that students can continue their learning post-high school in whatever form that may be.

Healthcare – We need to revisit Idaho abortion law, specifically in regard to complications during pregnancy and the criminalization of medical providers.

Property taxes - We can reduce property taxes and move away from the “every two-year school levy battle” by fully funding our schools at the state level.

4. I would like to revert to the open primary we had for so many decades in Idaho. The closed primary has only existed for a little more than ten years. The closed primary excludes Independent (unaffiliated) voters who are almost thirty percent of registered voters. When we shut out thirty percent of our voters, it is often hard to get an answer that reflects the makeup of Idaho.

5. If we don’t have a crisis already, then we are very near to having one. Idaho has laws in place that are driving our doctors away and preventing new doctors from coming here. We all go to our doctor to fix what ails us and we do it with trust in that professional.

We have let a minority remove that trust. It is time to get the situation turned around.

6. I am ready to return focus to meat and potato issues that face Idahoans daily. Education, healthcare, roads, and taxes matter. Let’s take care of the business of state government and leave the culture wars for a different venue.

7. Wildfire liability for electric utilities is a topic that moves closer to us every year. It is playing out just west of Spokane now after last year's fires. We need to provide for a distinction between negligence upon the part of a utility versus meeting a standard of care in maintenance and operations. A few should not bankrupt a utility to the detriment of all the members based on an act of nature when there is no negligence.

8. I believe a person must lead by example. We have to show proper respect for one another even when disagreeing. I will continue my sincere effort to find solutions that fix problems without infringing on others’ rights. I also believe that too often we look for government solutions when we can address an issue in a different manner.

Government solutions are set in law and applied uniformly. One size fits all, but never fits well.

9. The state can provide a business environment that supports housing solutions across the price spectrum. I firmly believe in local decision-making and a free market that responds to local needs. We have an example right here in Sandpoint with Schweitzer building their own employee housing to serve their business needs without placing a burden on taxpayers.

10. An open path for communication is the best way to make sure everyone gets their say in our public decisions and policy. As in the past, we will provide public forums for sharing information and taking input. I also encourage folks to take the time and put their thoughts and desires in writing, typically via email.

11. The ability and desire to listen and then represent. Winning an election is not

authorization to move forward with one’s personal agenda. Our system of governance is designed to take input from across the spectrum and come up with a solution that works best for all.

12. Did you vote in the May 2024 primary election? My answer is yes. My opponent, who recently separated from the Republican Party to run as an independent, and an unaffiliated voter with a near-empty ballot, chose not to. He makes the case for open primaries.

13. I represent the community because I am a part of the community, serving on local boards, volunteering, donating, and providing a service with my business. A lifetime of varied experiences provides the background for decision-making that reflects our Idaho values and Idaho vision for the future.