Today, former state Rep. Branden Durst announced that he'll challenge Sen. Mitch Toryanski, R-Boise, and Democrat Janie Ward-Engelking announced that she'll challenge Rep. Julie Ellsworth, R-Boise, in a rematch of the super-close 2010 election in Boise's District 18. Durst lost to Toryanski by just 103 votes, and Ellsworth defeated Ward-Engelking by just nine votes. Click below to read the pair's full announcement.

January 17, 2012
For Immediate Release

DURST AND WARD-ENGELKING TO FILE IN DISTRICT 18 TO RETURN PRO-EDUCATION VOICES

BOISE – District 18 deserves legislators that will listen and represent their best interests in the Statehouse and pass legislation that will help re-new prosperity in our community. Today former District 18 State Representative Branden Durst and 2nd time candidate Janie Ward-Engelking jointly announced their intentions to file 2012 candidacy paperwork for the State Legislature.

“The residents of District 18 deserve someone that will listen to them and will fight for our public schools and small businesses. The incumbents had an opportunity to stand up for their constituents, but instead they succumbed to party pressure,” Durst stated. Senator Mitch Toryanski was a critical vote in ensuring the passage of the Luna Laws, which seeks to trade teachers for laptops, mandates online courses, and will likely increase class sizes.

Janie Ward-Enelking said, “It is time to restore a representative government. I am excited to have the opportunity to listen to voters and push for legislation that reflects their priorities. A focus on job creation, education and responsible governance will help re-new prosperity in District 18.”

“The imbalance in our state has created an environment where ethical lapses are routinely ignored by the majority party. The incumbents have passively stood by and watched as our government has been soiled by tax cheats, defrauders of public resources, and questionable personal actions,” said Durst.

Durst will again be running for the state Senate and Ward-Engelking for House Seat A. The races in 2010 were decided by very small margins and will be critically important to the makeup of the 2013 legislature.

For more information about the Durst for state Senate campaign you can visit the website at durstforidaho.com  or call Branden directly at 208-891-2255.

For more information about the Ward-Engelking for House Seat A campaign you can visit the website at ward-engelking.com or call Janie directly at 208-385-9564.

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