Who will represent District 21? Meet the Candidates for Place A

MERIDIAN, Idaho – Casey Hess (Dem) is challenging one-term incumbent James Petzke (R) to represent District 21’s Seat A.

(Below is a transcript of the broadcast plot)

District 21 includes most of Meridian – between Eagle and McDermott, and Victory and Astik roads.

Casey Hess of Meridian is challenging Rep. James Petzke, who is seeking a second term.

“During my first term, I received a lot of bills. One of the things I’m most proud of is making financial literacy a requirement for all high school graduates. So every high school senior in Idaho is going to learn the basics of personal finance before they graduate,” Petzke said.

The Hailey native told me that most of his work is on the budget committee: “Our goal is to create a balanced budget every year. And we must – it is constitutionally required. In fact, our single key job as a legislature is to do this every year,” Petzke said.

Hess grew up in Lewis County and has lived in the Treasure Valley since the 90s. She told me she had wanted to run for local office for several years and finally took the plunge when Idaho Democrats encouraged members of her party to run.

“Democratic beliefs about funding education and making sure we’re developing good stewards of society shouldn’t be something that’s actually bipartisan thought, that’s really what it should be,” Hess said.

She disagrees with recent legislation aimed at addressing social and moral issues and would like to focus on public school funding. “Banning books is a terrible choice. The Medicaid ban on transgender care is something I am vehemently opposed to,” Hess said.

And the state’s legislative response to the overturning of Roe V. Wade: “Here in Idaho, they just raised 0 to 60 and said, ‘OK, that’s it. There can be no more talk about abortion.” And I think doing this without any ballot measure was a big mistake,” Hess said.

Petzke voted yes on amendments to the Senate to pass a bill that would prohibit access to abortion for out-of-state minors without parental consent.

If re-elected, Petzke says he would like to continue moving in the direction the Legislature is heading.

“My goal is to ensure that we continue to balance budgets and keep taxes low. Give people the government services they need that are cost effective and efficient,” Petzke said.