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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Idaho State Senate District 17

Idaho Senate members serve a 2-year term and are responsible for translating the public will into public policy for the state, levying taxes, appropriating public funds, and overseeing the administration of state agencies. These responsibilities are carried out through the legislative process — laws passed by elected representatives of the people, legislators.

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  • Candidate picture

    Benjamin Chafetz
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Carrie Semmelroth
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

1. What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

2. What experience has prepared you for this office?

3 What do you see as the most significant challenges Idaho faces that you might be able to address in this position?

4. Would you support legislation to remove criminal liability for physicians and pregnant women experiencing life threatening pregnancy complications and allow for medical and family decisions regarding continuation of that pregnancy? Please explain your response.

5. Is there anything else you would like to tell the voters?

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I will continue to prioritize our schools to ensure every child receives a quality education. I'll continue to advocate for local control, support for our working families like affordable housing, and protecting Idaho’s resources for future generations. My goal is to be a strong voice for our district, advocating for policies that reflect our community's values and create a brighter future for all Idahoans.
Serving District 17 for the past three years in the Idaho Senate has been the honor of a lifetime. I have worked in public service most of my life and am committed to serving my community. I have over 20 years of experience working in education as well as advanced degrees in education. Part of my professional background includes working in special education, higher education, teacher preparation, program and content standards, and accreditation and assessment.
Idaho continues to experience tremendous growth and change, and effective planning and investments in Idaho’s future are critical for next generations. These investments touch all parts of our lives, for example, navigating the balance of protecting agricultural land and resources vs, development, to preparing our children with high-quality public education for the workforce and challenges of the future. In the past three years, we have seen legislation that addresses some of these issues (e.g., Idaho Launch, Agricultural Protection Areas) but there is still much more work to do. Balancing these needs across the state while upholding local control for our communities is critical for long-term success.
Absolutely. I wholeheartedly support legislation to remove criminal liability for physicians and pregnant people facing life-threatening pregnancy complications. Such decisions should be made privately by individuals in consultation with their families and healthcare providers, not dictated by the government. Upholding reproductive rights and ensuring access to safe and compassionate healthcare is essential. It's time to affirm that government has no place in the private decisions made between a patient and their doctor, and underscore the importance of respecting individual rights, privacy, and personal autonomy.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve District 17 and the state of Idaho these past three years. Through your vote and support you can send me back to continue what I’ve started: representing the diverse voices of District 17 to help guide Idaho’s future. Together, we've achieved progress on critical issues like education and protecting Idaho’s resources for future generations. Yet, challenges remain. I'm committed to fighting for our community's needs, protecting our schools, restoring access to reproductive healthcare, and supporting working families. With your vote, we'll build a brighter future for District 17 and Idaho.