Former Bonneville Young Democrats president running to take District 33A seat from Ehardt
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IDAHO FALLS — The long-time incumbent for Idaho state representative in District 33A is running to keep her seat from the former president of the Bonneville Young Democrats.
Incumbent Republican Barbara Ehardt is running against Democrat Chance Marshall.
EastIdahoNews.com sent both candidates the same questionnaire. Ehardt and Marshall’s unedited responses are listed below.
The general election will be held on Nov. 3. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more candidate questionnaires and information about the midterm election on Nov. 3, check out East Idaho Elects. To learn where to vote or what’s on your ballot, visit VoteIdaho.gov.
Tell us about yourself — include information about your family, career, education, volunteer work and any prior experience in public office.
Marshall: As former president of the Bonneville Young Democrats and a resident of Idaho Falls, I have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our community today. I also understands the effects the right-wing pipeline can have on young adults, as at one point I was a registered Republican. After spending time campaigning for Republicans, I began to understand that many candidates are more interested in their wealthy donors and less interested in investing in their communities. Today, my values align better with the Democratic Party in Idaho, and I hope to change the face of local and state politics.
Through my work as a project manager, I understand the various aspects of tackling big undertakings from start to finish, including planning and presenting budgets, staying within them, and communicating with stakeholders. I know how important it is for legislators to have consistent communication and meetings with constituents.
I enjoy hiking and taking trips with my wife, spending time with my dogs and cat, and hanging out with my son as much as possible. I am committed to community organizing and supporting local nonprofits and spend much of his time volunteering for causes I care about.
Ehardt: I’m so honored and humbled to serve as your Idaho State Representative! Thank you for entrusting me with this work. I’m excited to continue to serve and, as you would expect, NO ONE will outwork me. When I’m in Boise, I don’t “party.” I am there working hard for you!
I was born and raised in Idaho Falls, attended Idaho Falls High School (go Tigers!), played basketball at North Idaho College where we went to the NJCAA’s. Then I attended Idaho State on a basketball scholarship while studying English Education. My plan was to teach English literature and coach basketball in high school. But my life took a different course when I was offered an incredibly unique opportunity to coach college hoops. I spent 15 years coaching Division I Women’s basketball (and teaching at UCSB & BYU) at four fantastic intuitions: UC Santa Barbara, BYU, Washington State and then as the head coach at Cal State Fullerton.
Since returning home from coaching, I have been blessed to work at The Club Apple as one of the Directors where I get to interact with our youth and our community on a daily basis. Prior to serving as a Representative, I also served on the Idaho Falls City Council.
I have kept my promises to you. But you know that because you know me. As I always like to say, we’re all in this together, we’re all running for this office. I’m just the name on the ballot.
Why are you seeking political office in your community? Briefly explain your political platform.
Ehardt: My focus and priorities remain clear: Families First, reduce the tax burden and support Idaho’s water, including clean hydropower energy and all that the INL brings with nuclear energy and our future expansion!
Parents need a voice in Boise that will work to protect our families. No one will love and care for their children like parents will. Much of the legislation that I bring restores parental rights, strengthens the family and upholds our tried and proven, traditional family values. The family is the core unit of government, making the family central to successful communities. I will continue to be that voice for our families.
I supported our tax reductions BUT I want to raise the conversation on eliminating taxes on our primary place of residence ONLY. This past session I introduced HB961, legislation that would do just this. I worked with the State Tax Commission for months to attain numbers that would help us move in this direction. The cost to the state of eliminating taxes on one’s primary place of residence would be $932,000,000. Instead, I would replace this with the fairest of all taxes, the user tax, and increase our sales tax from .06% to .07.75%. Let’s have that discussion.
Finally, we need to support the INL as they continue to thrive and lead out in energy. We need to protect our vested interests in our southeastern water. This includes water for agriculture as well as energy resources with our hydropower that is essential to Idaho Falls.
Marshall: I am running for State Legislature in District 33 Seat A because I believe that District 33 deserves a voice dedicated to bringing affordability and equality back to southeast Idaho. Rather than push fiscally irresponsible tax cuts that mainly benefit the wealthy, I am ready to focus on affordability, education, healthcare, and housing/rent. Currently, our legislature spends too much time on culture war issues that target a small number of Idahoans, rather than adopting an agenda that helps working families.
With rising housing, fuel and food costs facing Idahoans, can the state government help bring relief to Idaho citizens? Is it the role of the Idaho Legislature to help deal with these issues?
Marshall: Certainly, the state has the ability to bring relief to citizens on these issues, as for the question of whether it is the role of the Legislature to help deal with this issue typically, I would say that has not been the case in previous years. However, I do believe we are in somewhat unprecedented times. While gas and grocery prices going up is not something entirely new, the reason for these price inflations can be traced back directly to the actions of the current administration and by proxy and support my opponent. I believe due to these reasons and the hurt it is causing to our working class the Legislature should step in to help with prices and rising costs. We work for the people not for political parties, it is time that our Legislators acted that way.
Ehardt: The State of Idaho should continue to do what we’ve been doing, to help Idahoans and our businesses be as successful as possible, even while in the midst of national economic struggles. Idaho is leading the nation in many categories, including ranking second for the fastest growing state. People only move to states that are doing something right. Some of our most recent notable successes:
- #1 Best Overall State to live in, according to WalletHub 2026.
- #1 Nationally in Housing Growth, according to the Idaho Department of Labor. People want to come here – and they aren’t stopping.
- #1 for lowest property crime rates.
- #2 Nationally as the “Fastest-Growing State” in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
- #2 for Gun Rights as the “most firearm-friendly state.”
- #3 in Strong National economic and fiscal standing, according to U.S. News Best States.
- #3 Nationally in wage growth! And, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the average hourly wages in Idaho increased by 4.7%, reflecting a strong labor market.
- #4 in the State’s Economic Liberty Index.
- #6 in Fiscal stability, according to U.S. News Best States.
- #7 in the Cato Institute’s economic freedom rankings
- #14 for lowest violent crime rate.
With these examples and more, Idaho is doing something right!
How will you best represent the views of your constituents — even those with differing political views? How do partisan politics play into your role as an elected leader?
Ehardt: I ran as a conservative Republican who supports our Constitution, traditional family values and parental rights. Conservative values are the principles that I work hard to represent in Boise, as I promised. Too often, people run as a Conservative Republican in their districts but don’t carry those same values to Boise. That isn’t me. I think it is far more important to be the same person of integrity in Boise that I said I was in Idaho Falls.
My campaign has always spoken of “Principle Centered Leadership.” I believe that when one applies true principles to life, then everyone benefits, which is ultimately what I desire for everyone in District 33. Principles transcend politics.
Stephan Covey, the author of Seven Habits for Highly Effective People, explained what a principle is: “Principles are deep, fundamental truths that have universal application. They apply to individuals, to marriages, to families, to private and public organizations of every kind. When these truths are internalized into habits, they empower people to create a wide variety of practices to deal with different situations.
Principles are not values. A gang of thieves can share values, but they are in violation of the fundamental principles we’re talking about. Principles are the territory. Values are the maps. When we value correct principles, we have truth — knowledge of things as they are.
Principles are guidelines for human conduct that are proven to have enduring, permanent value. They’re fundamental. They’re essentially unarguable because they’re self-evident.”
When I value principles, EVERYONE benefits.
Marshall: I believe that all people—regardless of economic background, who they are, or what their political party is deserve the opportunity to live a dignified life and to pass down something (other than debt) through generations. I pledge to introduce legislation that refocuses priorities on Idaho’s people, not targeting select individuals for a political agenda. They don’t realistically I do not believe the things I believe in because the democratic party does, I believe them because I believe they are right and true. I disagree with the democratic party both nationally and locally on many things, but that doesn’t stop us from working together. The issue I have is with so called “moderate republicans” who when push comes to shove will overlook many of their constituents in order to vote with more extreme members of their party (like my opponent) over the fear of retaliation.
What parts of the state budget could use more funding? Where are places in the budget where cuts could be made?
Marshall: Well, a start is Education and Medicaid expansion. Idaho spent $11,167 per pupil in fiscal 2024, last among the 50 states and D.C., against a national average of $17,499. State numbers show the average rose by about $600 to $13,666 in 2025-26, though that figure is calculated differently from the national one. We have been at or near bottom for more than a decade. As for Medicaid a 4% cut to Medicaid provider pay was extended into fiscal 2027, alongside tens of millions in further cuts. House Bill 863 cut residential habilitation (disability services) reimbursement by $21.8 million, a 10% reduction when combined with the previous year’s cuts and because the federal government reimburses states for Medicaid spending, state cuts also reduce federal dollars coming in.
As for where I would start the cutting, it would have to be the 164 tax exemptions that never expire and get no review, this makes us 1 of 16 states without a review process. I would also repeal House Bill 93 which created a $50 million parental choice tax credit, the same amount as the withdrawn special education request. I would also undo the 2025 tax cuts as one analysis from the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy found the income tax cuts of recent years benefited the top 1% (those earning over $738,300) the most.
Ehardt: We need to add funding to Attorney General Raul Labrador’s ICAC office, the Idaho Crimes Against Children. Several years ago, former Representative Wendy Horman and I pushed hard to ensure additional ICAC funding to be allocated for another position here in Idaho Falls. I have always supported funding for this department because it protects children from the worst predators among us. Under AG Labrador, his office eliminated the backlog of over 1300 cyber-tips and now have a turn-around time of less than 24 hours for new tips. In 2024, ICAC more than doubled the previous number of arrests with 36; in 2025 they made 62. In 2024, there were 3761 cyber tips; in 2025, there were 6191. Clearly, this problem is growing, and our kids are the targets. Let me be clear – I have always voted to fund this agency, and I will continue to do so.
As for trimming funding, we need to do whatever is necessary to ensure the integrity of Medicaid and its original mission is not compromised by seeking out waste, fraud and abuse from the budgets of the various health and welfare programs. We must ensure that the original population for whom these welfare programs were created are protected, including our children, pregnant women, the disabled and the elderly. These are the truly needy and across the country these are the ones who are no longer receiving the help originally designated to assist their needs.
In 2026, Idaho suffered a historic drought, leaving eastern Idaho’s reservoirs at an all-time low. As a result, crop yields were significantly impacted. What specific strategy or legislation would you support to protect groundwater and surface water resources, and what is your timeline for measurable Improvements?”
Ehardt: A multi-pronged effort will always be needed to effectively manage water both in Southeastern Idaho as well as the entire State of Idaho. There currently are strategies in place, and I support them. But some key things have occurred that helped to highlight our dire situation.
For starters, I personally believe that we need to change how the current “water judge” is selected. The current judge is in the Twin Falls area and is elected by the Twin Falls people. This creates a huge conflict of interest when mitigating water needs for our area. Something needs to change.
When Mat Weaver, the Director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources, made the formal curtailment call on our water, it was devastating. But our community came together. A water meeting was held at the Melaleuca headquarters where over 1200 people attended. This caught the attention of all the “key players” in Idaho who were surprised at the show of support in our area.
Key players rose up to help bring attention to this, including Brian Murdock. Besides his Facebook posts, he was on national television addressing our dire situation. And then there was the tractor parade. It was amazing. Over 80 tractors participated from all over Southeast Idaho to show unity and support.
I supported SB1128 which secured $30million in ongoing funding for water infrastructure projects. I support Senator Kevin Cook’s idea of exploring a new dam, so we aren’t sending tons of water out of state when our reservoirs are full.
Marshall: I would support three things. First, protect and fully fund the 2024 water settlement between surface water and groundwater users, including the $30 million a year the state committed for recharge sites, groundwater-to-surface-water conversions, and efficiency grants. Farmers negotiated that agreement themselves, and the state should keep its word even in a tight budget. Second, speed up construction of recharge capacity in the Upper Valley so that when a wet year comes, we can capture the water and reach the state’s 350,000-acre foot annual recharge goal. Third, require clear public reporting: annual aquifer level measurements and project spending, so taxpayers and water users can see whether it’s working.
On timeline, I’ll be honest no legislation makes it snow. Within the first year, I’d expect funding to be secure and every stalled recharge project either under construction or explained. Within three years, the new recharge sites should be operating. Stabilizing and then raising aquifer levels is a five- to ten-year effort, and I’d measure it by the state’s own monitoring wells, not by promises.
One of the biggest issues on the November ballot is Proposition 1, a citizen-led ballot initiative that would repeal Idaho’s abortion ban. Do you support Proposition 1? Why or why not?
Marshall: I am in full support of Prop 1. The reasons are fairly simple I believe that our current laws are too restrictive and put women at risk, I believe in a woman’s right to choice, I believe our laws are causing OBGYNs to leave the state, and I believe in the ballot initiative and the people’s right to self-determination.
Ehardt: I do not support Proposition 1. It is too extreme and eliminates key pieces of current legislation including abolishing parental consent for abortions, allows for elective abortions, redefines fetal viability and allows for abortions to be performed by ‘health care providers as opposed to doctors.
Idaho House Joint Resolution 4 (HJR 4) is a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would give the legislature exclusive authority to legalize or decriminalize marijuana, narcotics and psychoactive substances. It would also ban citizen initiatives that would allow voters to directly have a say on the issue. Do you support the passage of HJR 4? Why or why not?
Ehardt: I support HJR4, as did all Republicans in a Party line vote. Our intent was designed to stop the big, outside interests’ groups from coming into Idaho with their big money and systematically changing our culture.
Marshall: I do not support HJR4 as I believe it is a thinly vailed attack on the ballot initiative stripping away the rights of Idahoans. Regardless of what you believe on Marijuana this is about the people’s right to choose if they wish, not to have decisions solely in the hands of a few legislators.