State Representative Rod Furniss faces challenger George Judd in District 35 Seat B

IDAHO FALLS – IDAHO FALLS – Incumbent candidate Rod Furniss faces challenger George Judd in the race for District 35 representative, seat B, which covers Butte, Clark, Jefferson and Fremont Counties.

To learn more about the candidate’s platform, EastIdahoNews.com sent the same seven questions to each legislative candidate. Their responses were required to be 250 words or less. Their answers are listed below.

More information about Furniss is available on his website and Facebook page.

More information about Judd can be found on his Facebook page.

CANDIDATE QUESTIONS:

Tell us about yourself — including information about your family, career, education, volunteer work and any prior experience in public office.

Furniss: I was born in Rigby and raised on a farm and ranch in Menan. My father was raised in Teton and attended school at South Fremont. My mother was from Rigby. I am a sixth-generation Idahoan from both sides of my family. I seek another term in the legislature to make Idaho a place where my five children and 8.6 grandchildren will want to live, be educated and thrive.

I graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho and Idaho State University in business finance and have been a banker and insurance agent. I specialize in health insurance for larger companies and life insurance for estates and executives. I hold advanced degrees in financial planning and underwriting.

I have investments in commercial buildings and develop ground in the area.

I have been the past president of the Jefferson Joint School District 251 Education Foundation and State Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. I am currently the precinct committeeman for Clark County in the Jefferson Central Committee.

I currently serve on the Revenue and Taxation, Business, and Energy committees. I was also on the Property Tax Working Group and the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee.

Rep. Jerald Raymond and I have been asked to co-chair the Governors Teacher Health Insurance Working Group. I have been asked to present bills in committee and in the House for the Department of Commerce, Finance, and Insurance on a wide range of topics.

I have also written several house memorials and bills requested by House leadership.

Judd: First, I would like to state I have suspended my campaign because of a health issue that came up. I was unable to file with the secretary of state in time to be removed from the ballot. I am optimistic that it will be under control by June or July, but I am unable to ensure my ability to assume office.

Coming from a long line of family members who have served, including a grandma who served in WWII, service is in my blood. I first swore to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution in 1981 with enlistment in the Utah Army National Guard. After seventeen and a half years, with nine years active, I received a disability separation.

After retiring from the National Guard, I went to work in the log home manufacturing industry as a maintenance supervisor.

Six years ago, I felt the need to serve again and was elected the Mayor of Lewisville.

I and my wife have three children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. I have been a subcontractor in the resident housing industry and had a long career as a Dept. of Transportation certified mechanic and auto mechanic.

What are your proudest accomplishments in your personal life or career?

Furniss: My proudest accomplishment in my personal life was getting my wife to marry me. Why she did, no one will ever know. I was poor, no education, and had very little prospects but she said yes. It’s been wonderful since that day.

I am the first from both sides of my family to graduate from college with a 4-year degree. I served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-day Saints in Argentina. It has shaped my belief in God and humanity. It was a mission of love and service among very caring people. I have served in leadership and with the youth of the church.

After graduating college, I worked at a bank as a management trainee for one year and then launched a 25-year career with Northwestern Mutual Life working with clients to secure their futures in the event they died too soon or became disabled. This work also propelled me into employee benefits for companies. I continue this work today helping clients as an independent agent. I have received many industry awards for quality sales and production.

Judd: I am a humble man. Only others can truly judge one’s accomplishments. I have served my country and am currently serving my community. I have strived to raise a healthy family. I love my wife, my family and friends.

I serve not with the expectation of reward or fame. In the end, I hope it’s said I did a good job and improved things.

Briefly explain your political platform, and/or legislative goals if you are elected to office.

Furniss: I am a Republican and an avid Trump crusader. I was for President Donald Trump when he came down and stepped out of the elevator. He is a businessman and has signed both sides of a paycheck. He has purchased real estate and other businesses and has hired and fired employees. He has purchased benefits for those employees and cares for them.

We need more business people in politics that aren’t afraid of success and have the vision to see good legislation get to the people, legislation that always has an ROI (return on investment) either in dollars or compassion.

I am seeking a second term in office with the appointment by the Governor to seek a path forward to help teachers K-12 have affordable health care. The purpose of this is to retain and recruit the best we have.

I hope to become a go-to legislator for difficult and complicated legislation and I enjoy that challenge. Helping people achieve success has been a driving force in my personal life and legislative life. I have about 20 items brought to me by business owners aimed at decreasing regulation or decreasing costs across the state. I will be working with the attorneys at the Capital to make those changes a reality.

Judd: As a champion for small government and local control, I seek to protect and foster Idaho’s traditional values. I am a strong advocate for the 2nd Amendment, and as such, will stand strong against any “Red Flag” laws or attempts to diminish those rights.

I am 100% pro-life and will fight to end abortion here in Idaho.

I believe in a true free-market economy in which businesses and agriculture may achieve the success it deserves, and benefit our communities and quality of life.

I feel our district’s current representatives are not adequately listening to the concerns of local officials and upholding the conservative values we hold most dear.

I believe in less regulation on businesses and our small communities, as well as in our daily lives. As a small-town mayor, I understand the importance of local government and the need to be more accessible and accountable to the public.

We should only render unto the state that which local governance or the people can not provide.

What are the greatest challenges facing your district?

Furniss: The greatest challenges in my district are multi-faceted based on the county and area.

Fremont County has challenges with growth in Island Park and maintaining the wonderful wildlife and way of living there. Progress is hard to manage. Property taxes and valuations sometimes force the elderly and new families from the area.

Clark County has trouble finding and maintaining law enforcement and just staying viable. We found a new Idaho State Police officer who is serving there! Tax revenue is scarce and decreasing. Schools are suffering from lack of teachers and children.

Butte County struggles to get a grant for an airport or even help with medical care. This is a federal problem. Since the Idaho National Laboratory in the county, the average wage appears high but most of those workers live in other counties and do not support the tax base there.

Jefferson County is the second-fastest-growing county in the state and is doing a wonderful job of managing the growth. Growth is still a problem, although a good one.

Every county in the district needs help with Medicaid expansion costs and support to make sure that they do not pay more than they were paying prior to the expansion.

Many on the other side of the state would heap additional costs on eastern counties. Eastern legislators need to come together to prevent that added burden.

Judd: As student enrollment continues to increase in our public schools, how do we continue to providing funding without increasing the tax burden on the public?

We are falling further and further behind in our ability to maintain roads and infrastructure. Not near enough attention is spent on this crucial economic driver.

With the increasing population, we are seeing a greater demand on Idaho’s most pristine natural resource — water. We must strive to fairly provide and protect this resource.

I feel the state has been taking the wrong approach in regard to meaningful tax relief. When I look at states with the least tax burden, one number jumps out — It’s 0% income tax. If the state is truly concerned with providing meaningful tax relief to hard-working Idahoans, that’s the place to start.

How will you best represent the views of your constituents – even those with differing political views?

Furniss: I have posted my phone number, email, and Facebook page for those that want to have a civil debate about issues and policies. I have found great success as a legislator reaching across isles and forming relationships. There are 105 legislators and one governor, and I feel I can approach any of them with questions and advice. I would hope they feel the same and I believe they do.

Civility is a hard thing and it still is for me. I like to get things done and, of course, I like to do it my way. That way of thinking didn’t last long at the Capital. I found that it takes buy-in from not only legislators, but from department heads, staff, and the people. It takes a team to make good legislation that frees regulations and burdens that can hinder growth and prosperity.

Judd: As a nonpartisan mayor, one must listen to the concerns of both sides and strive to incorporate the views in constitutionally sound legislation. It’s not important that we disagree, but that we come together where we agree for the betterment of all.

What is your philosophy on dealing with special interest groups and/or lobbyists?

Furniss: Every person in Idaho I speak with has a concern or a need. Listening to leadership is very difficult and a skill that must be sharpened and internalized. I am still working on it. Whether it is one person or several representing a company, they have input.

Input is how you learn of unintended consequences from legislation. Without those contrary views, there would be a lot of trial and error in legislation. That should be avoided if possible.

Again, all ideas are welcome with civility. There is always an underlying agreement to kindly disagree on one issue. But we may agree on the next issue!

Judd: Short of Idaho’s second amendment alliance, I have found few special interest groups I agree with 100%.

I will listen to such groups and lobbyists and take their concerns into consideration, but I have no interest in agreeing to a platform in order to receive an endorsement.

What are your views regarding the role of the media in covering Idaho’s political landscape?

Furniss: Of course, we love the media! From my experience, the media in Idaho has done a very good job. I would hope the media can feel free to reach out to me anytime, and if I have the answer, they will get the answer.

There are no secrets at the Capital and if the media does their job, that’s how it should be. The more I can share, the better it is for the people. Some may not agree, but we are seeking to represent the majority.

The media helps us get the word out, and for that, they are to be commended.

Judd: The media provides a valuable role in providing information and ensuring oversight and accountability in government.

I have been treated very fairly thus far by the press. As long as it is fair and unbiased reporting, I welcome the conversation.