An East Idaho attorney wants to replace Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, in the upcoming May 17 primaries.
Randy Neal of Idaho Falls said a “wide set” of issues resulted in his bid for the District 30 legislative spot.
“I want to get back into public service and help,” said Neal, who identifies as conservative Republican, supporting lower taxes and “restraining the size of government and spending.”
Neal pointed to what he called Horman’s lack of “conservative values” as another reason for jumping into the race.
“She ranks very low on the Idaho Freedom Index,” said Neal.
Horman is currently 39 on a list of 105 legislators whose voting records are rated by the Idaho Freedom Foundation, a conservative research group headquartered in Boise.
Neal grew up on a farm in Tuttle before moving to Twin Falls and graduating high school. He later began stints in public service as a ranger with the National Park Service and as a law enforcement officer.
After “working his way through law school,” Neal found jobs with the Department of Justice, Homeland Security and Bonneville County, all before starting a private practice ten years ago.
Horman, who is seeking her third term in office, said she espouses the conservative values that Neal claims she lacks.
“I support limited government solutions and low taxes,” said Horman, who touts an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association.
A heavy hitter in terms of state education, Horman serves on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, where she helps carve up state education budgets.
“If re-elected, my focus will continue to be on education policy and finance, school safety and security as well as creating the economic climate necessary for Idaho businesses to thrive and grow,” she said.
A mother of five, Horman started as a tutor and school volunteer. She eventually made her way to the school board in the Bonneville district, serving as treasurer from 2002 to 2013.
She gravitated toward state-level politics with a move to the Idaho School Boards Association, where she eventually served as president. In 2012, she successfully ran for an open legislative seat.
“I first ran for public office because I care about the education of our children and government that is accountable and transparent,” she said.
Horman co-chairs a legislative interim committee, which has the high-stakes task of reworking the state’s complicated education funding formula.
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