East Idaho Elects: Guthrie and Saville vying to represent District 28 in Senate
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IDAHO FALLS – Voters in Power and Bannock counties are gearing up to head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Two candidates, Republican incumbent Jim Guthrie and Democratic opponent Mike Saville, want to represent the voters in Legislative District 28 in the State Senate.
Jim Guthrie
Jim Guthrie has been on the state senate since 2012. He previously served a term in the Idaho House of Representatives from 2010 to 2012.
Guthrie feels his promotion of private property rights and education in the last six years has been his greatest accomplishment. He served on the committee for education in the Senate during the last two years and has been a strong supporter of teacher pay increases and increased funding for education.
“I think I have a good rapport with teachers, school board and administrative personnel. Obviously one person can’t make all the difference, but I think I’ve helped in that regard,” Guthrie tells EastIdahoNews.com.
Guthrie says his desire to stay involved in these issues is why he is running for re-election, and he says his background and ability to work with others makes him uniquely suited for the job.
“I understand there’s got to be compromise and the ability to listen to and respect the opinions of others, and I feel like I do that,” Guthrie says.
The push for Medicaid expansion has been a big push on the ballot this election. Guthrie says it’s appropriate this issue is on the ballot because of voters’ frustration with the inaction of the Legislature, and says he will do everything to support what the voters want.
Guthrie says he is also supportive of electronic horse race betting, another hot-button issue, and will continue to advocate for fair and responsible water rights, taxes and economic development.
Prior to working in the Legislature, Guthrie worked in agriculture and business for decades. His work history includes five years of experience as a journeyman carpenter, 12 years as a self-employed rancher and business owner, and 13 years at Ashgrove Cement Company. He has also served six years as Bannock County Commission chairman.
Jim Guthrie is a lifelong resident of Bannock County and an advocate of family values, strong work ethic and individual responsibility.
Learn more about Jim Guthrie by visiting his website.
Mike Saville
Mike Saville is from Pocatello and Grace. He joined the U.S. Air Force out of high school and worked for 32 years at IBM. He is retired after working 13 years at a faith-based financial service organization. His community service includes work with the Pocatello Junior Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion.
EastIdahoNews.com made several attempts to speak with him, but he was not available for comment.
Saville’s campaign is centered on increasing education funding, increasing health care subsidies, and protecting public land. Saville also supports increasing the minimum wage, increased efforts in veteran care, and increasing taxes on millionaires. Saville also supports immigration reform and says the immigration problem can only be solved by Washington, D.C.
You can follow his campaign on Facebook.