Fuhriman: Idaho Falls doesn’t need a mayor driven by fear

Growing up in Idaho Falls shaped who I am. My family has spent generations serving this community. My great-uncle, Tom Campbell, was a mayor who helped build the Idaho Falls we know today — championing the greenbelt along the river, strengthening Idaho Falls Power and ushering in improvements that set this city on a strong path. My cousin, Jared Fuhriman, continued that legacy, and my father, Steve Fuhriman, served as mayor of Ammon, working closely with Idaho Falls because both communities understood that partnership — not isolation — is what moves a region forward.

Those experiences taught me something important: leadership is about more than ideas on paper or polished talking points. Leadership requires an understanding of people, history, culture and the decisions — big and small — that shape a city’s future. It requires someone who knows the place they’re leading.

That is why I support Lisa Burtenshaw for mayor of Idaho Falls.

Lisa has lived here her entire life. She knows the city, not as a newcomer studying talking points, but as someone who has been part of Idaho Falls since childhood. Her record on the City Council, in community organizations and in hands-on local service reflects someone who understands growth, understands change and understands the responsibility of managing both without losing who we are.

Her opponent, by contrast, has lived here only a short time after moving from Washington. He speaks well, he hits the buzzwords, and he checks the boxes of what people want to hear. But there’s a big difference between campaigning and governing. In the Legislature, I see this difference up close. Some people excel at repeating talking points, yet struggle to navigate the actual work of governing. Idaho Falls cannot afford on-the-job training.

We have already seen on the national stage what happens when aspiring politicians step into major roles without the experience needed to govern effectively. Idaho Falls deserves a mayor who won’t need on the job training. Lisa is prepared to be effective on day one.

There’s something else we need to talk about honestly. We all get frustrated when we hear of people that move to Idaho from out of state because they didn’t like where they came from — yet almost immediately begin trying to turn Idaho into the very place they left. Everything becomes a crisis. Everything becomes political. Fear drives their decision-making. And rather than appreciating Idaho for what it is, they try to change it into what they imagine it should be.

Idaho Falls doesn’t need a mayor driven by fear or by a desire to overhaul the city into something unrecognizable. We need a leader who respects the traditions, culture and character that built this community — and can guide its future with stability and experience. That is Lisa Burtenshaw.

Lisa is a builder. A listener. A collaborator. Someone who has invested decades into this community, not months. Her work speaks for itself, and actions — especially local ones — matter more than words spoken on a campaign flyer.

Now it’s our turn. It’s time to vote.

I won my own legislative race by four votes. Four. I know better than most how much a single ballot matters. Please make the time, set the reminder, and get to the polls. Idaho Falls deserves steady, experienced leadership, and Lisa Burtenshaw is the person prepared to lead this city into its next chapter.

Vote Lisa Burtenshaw for mayor of Idaho Falls.

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