Steve Elgar
Democrat
Legislative District 1 - Representative, Position A
Age: 55
City of residence: Sandpoint
Years of residence in Bonner County and Idaho: Seven years in Bonner County, moved to Idaho about 35 years ago
Marital status/family: Married to Britt; 4 children, Ulysses, Suni, Sean and Tai; 1 grandson, Park
Contact information:
Website: Steve-Elgar.com
Education:
Recent or pertinent employment history:
Public offices held:
Relevant professional affiliations:
Nonprofit groups or service organizations to which candidate belongs:
Why are you running for public office?
I have been a community volunteer and leader for all my life. I love to help, and I enjoy working for people, especially when I can help solve difficult problems.
I have knocked on more than 6,000 doors between March and September 2006, and more than 10,000 doors since 2004. The people of north Idaho are strong, smart, and tenacious. I enjoy listening to their views, and I strongly want to work for them and bring their values to the Legislature in Boise. After all those doors, I know what north Idahoans want, and I will be able to represent them well. Besides having healthy kids and a happy wife, nothing would please me more than to be the strong voice all of us in north Idaho want and deserve.
If you are elected, how much time will you spend each week in the office?
As much as it takes. Probably, I'll spend too much time as a legislator (I have a job, too!), but I love doing this. I have gone door-to-door almost every day since the beginning of March, and have enjoyed every minute. So, I imagine I will continue to put constituents first (well, after my family), and if that takes 40 or 60 hours per week, that's what I'll give.
Describe the top three to five issues you believe are most important, why you consider them most important, and your position on these issues.
Based on over 6,000 doors (not everyone is home) in 2006, I'll describe the issues that people say are the most important. As their representative, my job is to fight for the issues the people think are important.
What differentiates you from other candidates? Why should people vote for you?
I work hard. I have listened to thousands of voters at their door steps and in their living rooms, and I know what north Idahoans want and what they value. I will work every minute of every day (except when I am with my family) to be the strong voice for our values in Boise. I've been a sheepherder, school-bus driver, ranch hand, farm worker, engineer, and water resources specialist. All four of my kids graduated from Idaho public schools. At their doors, people in north Idaho know I am one of them, and that I will represent them in the Legislature, and that I will not be bought by special interests and Boise lobbyists.
Unlike my opponent, I would not have raised the sales tax (although I would have fought for property tax relief for Idaho homeowners), I would not have allowed phone bills to rise without regulation, I would help our kids get loans so they can attend Idaho colleges (and not just voted to raise the costs), I would not give the biggest company in Idaho more than $10 million/year in property tax relief, I would not let felons become police officers, I'd fine the oil companies if they gouged us for gasoline prices, I'd give regular workers higher pay before I gave judges a big raise, I would not reduce unemployment benefits, I would not ease the rules for sewer system inspections, I'd fine drivers for refusing to take a breathalizer test, I'd help police officers obtain training, and I'd oppose letting out-of-state companies pollute our water with arsenic.
The incumbents are not getting the job done. Our taxes are increasing, yet our roads are poor, are schools are overcrowded, the minimum wage has not changed for years, housing is expensive, wages are low, too many people do not have any health care, and we're pouring chemicals into our drinking water without considering alternatives. What we have is not working. It is time for a change.