NIdaho D’s set annual dinner May 5
The Kootenai County Democrats will hold their 15th Annual North Idaho Democracy Dinner Friday, May 5, 5:30 p.m. at the Best Western Coeur d’Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway in Coeur d’Alene.
This year’s keynote speaker will be District 19 State Representative Mat Erpelding (pictured). A mountaineer at heart, Rep. Erpelding is currently the House Minority Leader. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Idaho State University and a master’s degree from the University of Idaho. An experienced educator and an accomplished professional mountain guide, Rep. Erpelding has traveled and worked all over the world, but his heart always leads him back to Idaho.
Rep. Erpelding became involved in Idaho politics while training teachers at the College of Western Idaho. He was concerned that he was training teachers for a future that was extremely uncertain under State Legislature leadership. He taught night classes and served as a legislative aide for the Democratic legislative caucus during the day. He won his first election in 2012, vying for an open seat in District 19. Since then Rep. Erpelding has been working to protect our public lands, to advance educational policies that help every Idahoan, and to create an economy that works for everyone.
Rep. Erpelding has passed legislation to protect our natural resources from invasive species, advanced legislation addressing the critical physician shortage in rural Idaho, and votes to improve education funding to every school district in the state. In 2015, he was awarded “legislator of the year” by Conservation Voters for Idaho.
There are still a few tickets available for $50/person. Register at www.kootenaidemocrats.org by May 1.
