Campaign Phone
2089945601
Campaign Email
Jeffrey@WatkinsforIdaho.com
Office Sought
Idaho House of Representatives 16A
All Idahoans should be able to live fulfilling, dignified lives. To do this, I want to create and pass legislature that ensures all Idahoans have access to affordable housing, healthcare, reproductive freedom, and high-quality public education. Workplace protections should be expanded, and we should strengthen the rights of unions and professional associations to ensure these protections are followed. I will fight to ensure that Idahoans retain access to the pristine environment that our state is famous for. Lastly, Idahoans should be explicitly protected from discrimination and violence, especially our LGBTQ+ and immigrant community members.
I serve as Vice President of Idaho Education Association Region 9 (our teacher’s union), am a union representative for Meridian Academy High School, and am on the Executive Board of the West Ada Education Association. From my position on the Executive Board, I’ve helped shape stronger non-discrimination policies in West Ada, advocated for fair treatment of educators, and increased educator involvement in the political process through our union’s Lobby Days. I also volunteer with Reclaim Idaho, Idaho Sierra Club, and the American Civil Liberties Union. I am currently on Conservation Voters of Idaho's Boards and Commissions Fellowship.
Two decades ago, the Idaho Supreme Court ruled that Idaho does not fund its public education as the Constitution demands. The Legislature has still not resolved this. Now, we are sending $50 million to private schools with no accountability. School funding will not be solved until we loudly demand it from our Legislature, and I think I am the perfect candidate to do this. I am a leader in public education, and I am determined to fight to ensure that our children receive the free, high-quality public education that they deserve and that educational staff don't have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet.
It is easy to feel that our elected officials are not listening to us, but I value your insights, stories, and wisdom. I encourage voters to contact me with concerns, questions, and your priorities. I welcome all voices, whether you agree or disagree with me. Every conversation I have with one of my neighbors makes me a better representative, and I am running to serve you.
Campaign Statement
Having already served temporary appointments in both our Idaho House and Senate, Megan is a sixth-generation Idahoan from a working class family ready to bring her nonprofit leadership experience and passion for improving outcomes for Idahoans to our Statehouse.
Campaign Phone
2083692925
Campaign Email
megan@meganforthepeople
Phone
2083693854
Office Sought
D16 House Seat A
I plan to champion the development of early childhood education and care infrastructure. Currently, our state’s investment in ages zero to five is inadequate. Additionally, there is an attitude among many in the legislature that children under five belong at home with mom, demonstrating a lack of understanding of the economic reality of Idaho’s average family. I support developing public-private partnerships to create an Early Childhood Trust and a tri-share program to address Idaho’s status as a childcare and early childhood education desert.
I have already served in temporary appointments in both our Idaho House and Senate, substituting for Senator Rabe and Representative Haws, gaining firsthand experience navigating the legislative process and building relationships. By day, I am the executive director of a nonprofit association where I represent and advocate for my dues-paying members. My experience building consensus, exercising diplomacy, and negotiating with my board of directors translates directly to working across the aisle in our Statehouse.
I also bring experience from various roles advocating for the public’s interests with members of Congress and the Idaho Legislature, giving me a well-rounded approach to serving in the Idaho House of Representatives.
The most significant challenge will be accomplishing policy priorities as part of a superminority. I plan to leverage my existing relationships with lawmakers to find common ground and build support. The challenges I would like to address are restoring and protecting reproductive freedom and our perinatal care workforce to increase the safety of pregnant Idahoans; establishing state-level heat protections for at-risk workers; keeping public lands in public hands; restoring Idaho’s financial health while ensuring public dollars stay public schools; protecting the rights and dignity of all Idahoans; and strengthening our higher education and career technical education institutions.
I have spent fourteen years in the nonprofit sector working on a range of issues, from preventing food insecurity, domestic abuse, and youth substance misuse to promoting public health, rural healthcare access, and early childhood education. No matter the issue, whether as a professional or volunteer, my goal has always been to improve outcomes for Idahoans. I’m a sixth-generation Idahoan on my dad’s side and second-generation Mexican American on my mom’s side. I grew up in rural Idaho in a working-class family and am ready to be a voice for all Idahoans, whether they’re building a career, raising a family, or trying to keep up with the rising cost of living.
