Incumbent Julie VanOrden faces Jerry Bingham in primary race for District 30 senator

BLACKFOOT – Incumbent Julie VanOrden is being challenged by Jerry Bingham in the race for District 30 senator.

District 30 includes all of Butte and Bingham Counties.

Click here to view VanOrden’s campaign website.

Click here to view Bingham’s campaign website.

EastIdahoNews.com sent the same eight questions to each county candidate. Their responses, listed below, were required to be 250 words or less. EastIdahoNews.com is publishing the answers in their entirety and without grammatical or style editing.

The primary election is May 21.

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

VanOrden: I grew up on a farm in Bingham County, went to schools in Blackfoot, graduated from Blackfoot High School. Attended College of Southern Idaho, completed a data entry certificate program at ISU Vocational Technical School. I married Garth VanOrden, and we started our own farming operation. My family consists of 3 sons and 1 daughter, 2 daughters-in law, 3 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. I started volunteer work in PTA and on the Snake River School Board when my children were growing up. In 2012 I ran for the Idaho Legislature, winning a seat in the House of Representatives, I served there for 3 terms. I was assigned to the following committees: Education, Commerce & Human Resources, Agriculture, Natural Resources.

During the 2022 legislative session I substituted for Senator Steve Bair eventually running for and winning his Senate seat in the 2022 election. I have been serving as the chairman of the Health & Welfare Committee and as a member of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee.

Bingham: I’m Jerry Bingham, nickname “Truth”. I was born in Bingham County and will be buried in Bingham County. I was born to Don J. Bingham and Ida Fraser Bingham. I have alot of education in life. I was a sheep herder and rock picker. Then, shared responsibility moving pipe with my older brother. I would carry the heavy end as we both carried the pipes across one at a time. I learned early if I could disk and plant straight, I would get the tractor jobs. I could hand stack straw and 100 lbs or more hay bales. At 18, I was a long-haul semi driver. Drove up and down the West coast. Could stay up 20 hours to get as many miles and loads possible. (Wasn’t as good as farming 20 hours a day). I fell in love with my wife Valerie in the 9th grade. Coerced her to marry me after 5 years of courting. We have 5 sons and 1 daughter. 5 daughter-in-laws, 1 son-in-law, and 23 grandchildren. My Dad and 2 of my brothers died in a airplane crash when I was 23. My Mom was forced to give the farm and home back to the bank. With alot of help from God, and my wife working alongside of me, we now own that farm and home. It has been through conservative values, hard work, and faith in God, that I have accomplished my dreams.

Why are you seeking political office? Briefly explain your political platform.

Bingham: Being a farmer, I’ve learned common sense in and about multiple areas, and multiple fields. Such as, mechanics on vehicles and farm equipment. Electrician, plant biologist. Know what chemicals and fertilizer will do to crops. Animal husbandry, and Jerry rig anything together. Farmers and Cattlemen are probably more educated on many fronts and aspects, such as labor, insurance, taxes, finances, education and many more. I learned at a young age – what is right is right, what is wrong is always wrong. I ran for school board with an agenda. It wasn’t a stepping stone to evenly move up in politics. I ran to change and clean house. Stop asking for levy’s, when there are other ways to save money, that does not affect children’s education. I am a Ronald Reagan Republican. And whether you love or hate him a true-blue Trump supporter. He’s no angel, but says what he believes in, and so do I. When you see a problem, you should do something. Not just complain and cry about it. To do that you have to get in a position of power to fix it. The water curtailment is huge. It affects everyone, not just farmers. My goal is to keep everyone’s water on. To make laws that until your system of irrigation is efficient and not wasting water, you cannot make a water call against any water right holder.

VanOrden: I am running to be involved in policy decision making for Bingham and Butte County in the Idaho legislature. Representing Legislative District #30 in the Idaho Senate is a responsibility that I take serious. Researching the effects of each piece of legislation is a large part of what I see as the job of a legislator. Working and collaborating to share information that myself and others have received from constituents commands a developed skill set. Being able to listen, ask questions, and give input are what brings forth legislation that is pertinent to our state. I have never had an agenda in any office I’ve been in, my only political agenda is to support parental involvement, local control, free market enterprise, and limited government.

What are the greatest challenges facing people and communities in your district? What is your plan to meet those challenges?

VanOrden: One of the greatest challenges today is the rising costs of supplies and goods, I also see that our population is growing, and urban creep into agricultural lands is causing consternation.

We are lucky to have families within our communities that have taught their children how to grow a garden and prepare meals wisely are signs of self sufficiency and preservation.

Working together as a community I believe we can utilize and conserve our agricultural properties. Making sure proper planning is limited and creative will address the issue of need, while keeping personal property rights intact.

Idaho has been in a persistent drought that does affect Bingham and Butte Counties. Acquisition and legal obligations dealing with water have been and will continue to be a high priority for the Idaho legislature. This year the legislature passed S1341 that addressed the Area of Common Groundwater Supply of the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer. Although this bill was concerning to some groundwater users, it brought administrative rules in line with Idaho Code. So it brought practice in line with law. This change will effect the tributary basins connected to the aquifer, but only to the extent that the Director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources decides it will. I knew this bill’s context and that all of the water users affecting the aquifer would be included equally. I was contacted by one constituent from Butte County, who had been privy to previous conversation about this issue. He mentioned further study of the aquifer, which legislators addressed this year with the University of Idaho’s Idaho Water Resources Research institute (IWRRI). There are many legislators working behind the scenes to address the serious concerns with water resources.

Bingham: Greatest challenges facing communities in my district, are in Butte county. There is a lack of funds to run their city and schools. With INEL, and all the federal and state lands in the county, who pay no property tax. They are trying to stay alive. With meager, and limited budgets for school and city bills, it’s hard. They have had a water shortage problem alot longer than Bingham county has. It didn’t help them out a bit, when our senator voted them into district 120 area. So now they will have to cut back on any curtailment that Twin Falls or, and their farmer’s demand. I don’t think the senator talked to any farmers or cattlemen about how they feel about it. Threw them under the bus. I asked the Idaho director of water, Mr. Weaver if he thought this action was plus for Butte? He said, probably not. Bingham county is growing prospering, and has all the headache of growth. I hear the number one complaint is property taxes, and the cost of everything you can point a stick at is higher, (except going to church) I say the most important way to fix the property tax problem, is voting for those who are willing to cut back on the budget. This includes county commissioners, city council, school board members, and superintendents, there are probably others, if they would be willing to work with less money in their budgets? We all need to vote for someone who is.

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

Bingham: I have a phone 208-680-3868, and two good ears that listen well. Also on facebook, jerry bingham for idaho, I will never block anyone’s opinion even its opposite of mine. I love “Truth” and make decisions based on what is true and what is not. Sometimes it’s hard to know what I call God’s truth and man’s truth. But will listen and yes, even pray for help in making decisions. It has worked my whole life. It has made me smart, and given me common sense to know when I’m being used or deceived. I will use this to make a good choice of law making, if I become Senator.

VanOrden: Finding common ground with constituents that have different political views is the best way I have found to address these critical conversations. I have found myself in conversations that have given me that chance to bring a different viewpoint to the discussion. I believe bringing all angles to the table are what makes better legislation. Communicating with constituents through phone calls is what I like best, but during the legislative session it is sometimes hard to find the time to make those calls.

What parts of the state budget could use more funding? Where are places in the budget that cuts could be made?

VanOrden: I’ll start with the last question here, budget cuts could be made more in layers of personnel bureaucracy. More funding could be used to help individuals with disabilities, children and elderly persons with personal care. Foster parenting in Idaho will need more resources to help with the number of hard ship children that have been placed in the system. Idaho will now have an ombudsman that will be the oversight arm of this program.

Bingham: State budget has a huge surplus. I don’t think they need more money or funding. Since the State gave out more water rights than Mother Nature, can in some years replenish, they should have used excess money in making Twin Falls canals more than 30% efficient, is the use of water. They can pay the expensive recharge to the aquifer. Since the state caused the problem they should fix it, not the farmers. Also, not against education, but giving $8,000,00 to seniors to go to college or trade school could be better used by senior citizens or veterans. They are on a fixed income. Senior citizens built the cities, schools, and parks with their taxes. I have alot of respect for those who joined the military, and served this country. Some of them got their education in doing so. Also, respect the students who worked hard in their studies and athletics to get scholarships. Alot had to get jobs, get loans, and do without to get a higher education. Our kids are strong, and will work hard for an education. Also if our public school is nonprofit (they operate without the intention of making money) just make college less expensive.

Are you currently working on any legislation or have ideas for bills that you feel are vital to the future of Idaho? Please provide details.

Bingham: Not elected yet, so the answer is no. I have ideas for new water law bill. To get rid of alot of no common sense laws, that cost us more money. Some even force you into programs that have no benefit to you. But, it impowers a bureaucracy.

VanOrden: I will be working on a few more pieces of legislation concerning the current adoption laws. I feel the these are vital to Idaho because the reproduction laws in our state are very strong when addressing pregnancy. When a woman finds herself in a situation with a child she cannot support, she should have a path available to her that is easy to follow with good outcomes for both her and her child.

Have you seen any mistakes made by the Idaho Legislature in recent years? How would you work to correct these errors?

Bingham: Yes. Farmers in water districts probably don’t know the means the district has to collect mitigation fees, or taxes to run the new bureaucracy. Why you were forced into a water district was to follow the same standard of collecting property taxes. You could fall 3 years behind before your property be put in a sheriff’s sale. Common sense law. There are many reasons a person would fall behind in property taxes. The law has been changed with water. You get your water assessment in January. The bill is due in June. If not paid when due, they can report you to the water master, and he or she has the legal authority to lock you out of your water use. One of my sons went to Boise to argue against this law in front of the senate committee and house committee. He tried to go to committee members and have a discussion with them, but they shut their doors. Even had people not in congress go to Boise to make sure there was a change in the law. Boise was successful in getting their way.

VanOrden: I don’t know if I would couch these as mistakes but I feel that the legislature has removed accountability from the equations when it comes to justifying differences of opinion. I do know that the Senate used to be a very deliberative body, when a bill was being presented almost every senator would share their opinion. It’s not like that anymore.

What is the most important issue facing Idahoans? What is a legislator!s role in meeting or addressing that issue?

VanOrden: The economy is the most important issue. There are numerous tentacles coming from that topic so to address it there needs to be a team effort. If a legislator has expertise in one of those tentacles he/she needs to bring that knowledge forward to help build a path forward. I believe it will take the following to address this issue: good education, workforce training, sustainable wages, healthy individuals who are independent, charity-the likes we’ve never seen before.

Bingham: #1 issue, who is really running this country? It affects Idahoans. There is a big drug problem. Problems in our schools. I believe there should be school choice. All my children went through public school, and that environment. But some students don’t do well in that environment, and they deserve another choice. I think the money should follow them, if the schools are following correct by-laws. Another one is protecting children until they are adults. Some choices that are being made for them before they are 18. These choices cannot be reversed. It can ruin them for the rest of their lives. I’m against abortion. I believe it is murder. I had two grandsons that were borne early. Gus lived a day and a half, Max lived two and a half days. Those boys felt pain, and where aware of things around them. In some states they would be considered worthless and would fit into the parameters of being aborted. But not IDAHO, here almost everyone believes life is precious.