Woodward is experienced, dedicated to community

I am still a registered Republican … but sometimes I feel like the Grand Old Party has changed so much that it is hardly recognizable. But the good news is we have conservative Republican senator in Jim Woodward — who is an excellent candidate for re-election in District 1 in the May 17 Republican Primary. He is committed to our North Idaho values and he has all the good character traits that we so desperately need in this crazy world.

Jim is honest, dependable, intelligent (U of I graduate), tells the truth, is accountable to the public (he has always answered letters I have written to him about legislative matters), understands our communities (second-generation family here, plus he has lived and worked in both Boundary and Bonner counties). He is experienced in legislative procedures (has served since 2018 in the Idaho Senate; on Education and Finance committees, and is vice chairman of the Transportation Committee), served in our U.S. Navy, understands the challenges of running a small business since he is a business owner himself, and he is respectful but forceful and creative in bringing legislative bills up for voting. I appreciate the way Jim always manages his election campaigns and other business in a calm, reasonable way without having to resort to name-calling.

Perhaps the words of longtime Idaho Sen. Shawn Keough (Jim took her place when she retired) say it best, “I endorse Jim Woodward for the Idaho State Senate District 1 seat … (then Shawn lists some of Jim's experience and character traits mentioned above — plus other good things that I, Jo Len, did not have room to put in this letter.) Jim's deep roots in our area … give him the experience to represent us in the Idaho State Senate. I support Jim 100% and hope you will join me in voting to send him to represent us in Boise,“ (signed by Shawn Keough. (Her complete endorsement can be found online.)

Please remember to register, then vote on Tuesday, May 17. This is a very important primary.

I have lived in Paradise Valley in Boundary County for 42 years, in the very same location, and I have known the entire Woodward family for most of that time, and I really hope that Jim is re-elected — for the good of the entire community.

JO LEN EVERHART

Bonners Ferry