Stevenson to run for House seat

Boise County resident Bob Stevenson, 47, of Garden Valley, has announced his candidacy for the House of Representatives, Seat B for District 22, which includes Boise and Elmore Counties.

He will run as a Democrat for the seat currently held by Republican Pete Nielsen of Mountain Home.

"I have committed my life to serving people," Stevenson said. "I've been a fire fighter for 25 years, and now I'd like to serve as your representative." Stevenson currently works for the North Ada County Fire and Rescue unit.

Stevenson said he has always had an interest in politics and with his retirement in September, he will have "time to devote to the citizens of Boise and Elmore Counties, and to the people of Idaho."

As a native Idahoan and a resident of Boise County for 18 years, Stevenson said he cares about this state.

He worked for the U.S. Forest Service before going to college, and since he lives in a forested interface area, forest health is a key issue for him. He'd like to see thinning of the forests for both the health of the forest and the safety of our communities.

"I would like to see environmentally friendly methods used to remove the timber and also encourage industry that uses less than premium timber to locate in our district, to make use of this resource. This would both promote forest health and a stable economic development."

Adequate funding for education and facilities is another strong issue for Stevenson.

"Our educators have one of the most important jobs in the state, but are some of the lowest paid," he stated.

Adequate facilities are another key issue. "Garden Valley has tried to pass a bond election for over 10 years, and has failed each time. Idaho is one of the only states to require a super majority of 66 and 2/3rds percent to pass a bond. I think that's too high. I believe it should be more than a simple majority of 50 percent, but I think 60 percent is more realistic. Either that, or the state should step in and help these school districts with inadequate facilities."'

Jobs and economic development is another element for Stevenson.

"Jobs, especially decent paying jobs for women, are sorely lacking in this state. Idaho has lost most logging, farming, and mining jobs. We have virtually no rural industry for workers. Not everyone is destined for a high tech job in the Treasure Valley. We need to support and encourage economic development in our rural counties."

Stevenson said he was recruited to run for the state legislature while attending an Elmore County "Pizza and Politics" meeting, during which he gave a speech about the need to elect more Democrats "so we can have a two-party system again."

He said he would run a positive campaign stressing "what I want to do," not attacking the incumbent. "I'm a lifetime Idahoan from a small community. I think I have quite a bit to bring to the table to represent the average Idahoan."

He has degrees from BSU and the College of Southern Idaho, is chairman of the Garden ValleyRural Fire District that he helped create, a past member of the board of directors for the Garden Valley Hospital District, is a member of the Intermountain Chapter of the Harley Owners Group, and a member of the Crouch Community Church.

He has been married for 26 years and has one daughter.