VOTE411 Voter Guide

The issues really haven’t changed over the past 10 years. They just have not been properly addressed. Growth, infrastructure, taxes, and government overreach. Growth needs to pause, taxes need to be reduced by cutting spending at the county level, infrastructure needs coordination between entities and cities and counties, along with a common sense approach. Taxes are also greatly affected by spending at the county level and increase in personnel cost. There needs to be line by line scrutiny on the budget.

I’m an extremely effective, responsible, thoughtful, and experienced business leader. Once I put my mind on a project or goal, it’s going to get completed. I am not controlled by outside entities or factions only by the drive to do the right thing always.

I’m always available. I always have been available. I’m one of the easiest people to get a hold of in Canyon County. None of that will change. I plan on holding monthly brainstorming sessions with residence within the district.

Canyon County faces many pressing issues. In my view, these are the most important:

Development: Ensuring growth is managed responsibly and doesn't outpace our services and infrastructure.

AG Land and Quality of Life: I will work to protect our farmland and the quality of life we all cherish.

Public Safety: I will ensure public safety remains a priority and is properly supported.

Management and Accountability: I will oversee county departments to maintain effective management and transparency.

Budget Scrutiny: I will maximize efficient use of taxpayer dollars and keep the burden on taxpayers to a minimum.

I will approach each of these challenges as I have with everything in my career: do the right things, for the right reasons.

I bring over 30 years of small-business ownership, deep agricultural expertise, and a proven track record of delivering results. I started as an associate professor and extension agent, then managed Warm Springs Ranch, Idaho's third-largest cow/calf operation. As Idaho's State Marketing Director, I negotiated trade deals totaling millions across three continents while managing significant public budgets. I also ran a Farmers Insurance agency in Nampa, gaining hands-on experience with risk and financial management. My service on Canyon County's Impact Fee Committee gave me insight into how we can manage development responsibly. These experiences and the subsequent knowledge gained have prepared me to serve Canyon County and do the job well.

I will continue to engage with my constituents, if and when I take office, by reaching out to them where they are at, on social media, and by going to community events, so that I can continue to hear their concerns and address their questions personally.

Canyon County’s biggest challenge is rapid, uncoordinated growth. While growth can bring opportunity, it must be strategic and intentional, not just reactive. I see three key issues that the County must address: poor coordination between the county and our cities, loss of agricultural land to sprawl, and increasing strain on infrastructure and public services.

I will address this by improving collaboration with city leaders so we’re all working toward a unified vision. I support directing the majority of growth back into city centers where infrastructure already exists, preserving farmland and reducing sprawl. I will also prioritize better planning so roads, services, and utilities can keep pace with development.

Finally, I will increase transparency and communication so our residents are informed and understand what is happening. Growth is inevitable, but with careful planning, we can protect what makes Canyon County special while preparing responsibly for the future.

My qualifications come from years of professional experience built on collaboration and bringing people together to find practical solutions.

I’m a convener by nature and by trade. My work has required me to work with many different types of people and businesses. I can align competing interests, and move projects forward in a way that is mutually beneficial. These skills are essential for managing growth in Canyon County.

I also bring a strong understanding of our community. I’ve spent a lot of time listening to residents, business owners, and those in agriculture. I understand the importance of balancing growth with preserving what makes our county special.

Most importantly, I’m not approaching this from a political perspective. I’m focused on results. I will work with city leaders, developers, land owners and residents to ensure decisions are practical, transparent, and in the best long-term interest of Canyon County.

Engagement starts with being accessible, visible, and willing to listen. I will make it a priority to keep open office hours and meet with residents through community events, town halls, and informal gatherings where people can ask questions and share concerns directly.

I also plan to maintain open lines of communication through email updates, social media, and a more navigable website so constituents know what’s happening and how decisions are being made.

I think it is equally important to be present where people already are. I'll meet with local businesses, farmers, and community groups at their locations to hear firsthand what’s working and what isn’t.

Most importantly, engagement isn’t just about listening. It’s about follow-through. I will ensure that the feedback from our residents is reflected in decisions we make and that people can see how their voices are shaping the future of Canyon County.

Canyon County faces important issues pertaining to public safety, fiscal discipline, and responsible growth. We must secure adequate funding to build and operate a new county jail. We can't afford to cut corners with public safety, and we can't say we back the blue, if we don't fund them sufficiently. We also need to address projected shortfalls in the county budget, and ensure fiscal discipline. Our county government must become more efficient, effective, and economically sustainable, protecting the most vulnerable citizens of our community. We also must ensure responsible growth and transparency. I look forward to increasing opportunities for citizens to consistently and meaningfully engage and influence their county government.

My qualifications are rooted in a lifetime of leadership, service, and experience solving complex problems, with proven results. I've spent over a decade in the Air National Guard, supporting complex, high-stakes, multi-million-dollar operations at the executive level, domestically, and in deployed environments. My military background started in cybersecurity, and I now serve as a chaplain, supporting those facing life’s crises. I earned a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Boise State University, and I have experience in addressing fiscal challenges and improving government performance. As a husband, and father of seven, I'm invested in building a county government that serves its citizens — today and for generations to come.

I am committed to staying closely connected to the people of Canyon County. I've spent years doing exactly that as a hospice chaplain, visiting with individuals and families across our community during some of their most difficult moments. I've seen the challenges faced by many, seniors on fixed incomes, and young families working hard just to make it by. As your commissioner, I will continue to connect, through holding regular town halls, meeting with residents, and actively seeking input so every citizen has a seat at the table. Moreover, I am committed to providing leadership that doesn't just listen, but delivers in meeting the needs of our citizens, and acting in the best interest of our county. Working together, securing our future!