State Representative, Pos. A
Election Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Vito Barbieri (R) | 14,132 | 65.74% |
| Cheryl Stransky (D) | 7,364 | 34.26% |
* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.
About The Race
Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, has made a name for himself in his first House term as a leading advocate of state nullification of federal laws, an opponent of most government regulation and an ally of tax-protesting Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, who recruited him to run.
As he seeks a second term, he’s facing a challenge from Democrat Cheryl Stransky, a retired longtime school counselor and first-time candidate who’s been involved in the community, from 4-H to youth soccer, for 35 years.
But it’s a district that hasn’t elected a Democrat since 1994; none has even run in the past decade.
Idaho legislators are paid $16,116 per year.
The Candidates
Vito Barbieri
- Party:
- Republican
- Age:
- 72
- City:
- Dalton Gardens
- Occupation:
- lawyer; small business owner
Education: Graduated from Westchester High School, Los Angeles, Calif., in 1969. Holds an associates degree from El Camino Junior College, and bachelor’s and law degrees from Western State University in Fullerton, Calif.
Political background: Incumbent, elected to the Idaho House in 2010, 2012 and 2014; seeking re-election to a fourth term.
Work experience: Practiced law in California for 20 years. Since moving to Idaho in 2004, has operated several small businessess, including a catering business and the “Vap-It” electronic cigarette store in Post Falls.
Family: Married. Has three grown children.
Cheryl Stransky
- Party:
- Democrat
- City:
- Dalton Gardens, Idaho
- Occupation:
- retired school counselor
Holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology. Counselor at Coeur d’Alene High School for 23 years; then at Woodland Middle School until 2010 retirement. Supports reprioritizing government spending to increase school funding, raising the minimum wage, and expanding Medicaid. Supporter of public schools. Backs construction of a state mental health crisis center in Coeur d’Alene, which Barbieri opposed. Former president of the North Idaho Counseling Association. Challenged Barbieri unsuccessfully in 2012, receiving 34.3 percent of the vote.
Complete Coverage
Tribune: Vito Veto
None
Idaho lawmaker stands by calling public schools ‘Godless’ institutions
Rep. Vito Barbieri is defending a statement posted on his re-election campaign website in which he called on Christians to pull their children out of Idaho’s “Godless” public schools. In a debate on TV Channel 19 between Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, and his Democratic challenger Cheryl Stransky, also from Dalton Gardens, Barbieri was asked about this statement posted on his website regarding public schools: “One more thing: If you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and God, then pull your kids out of that Godless institution.”
Balance, compromise are topics in Idaho’s District 2
The ballot looks very different in North Idaho’s most Republican legislative district this fall, now that tax-protesting four-term state Rep. Phil Hart is out and an array of new candidates are jostling for attention. Democrats are challenging Republicans for all three of District 2’s seats this fall – the first time a Democrat has appeared on the ballot there since 2002. The last time one won was in 1994.
Eye on Boise: Lawmakers bill state for conference costs
BOISE – Five Idaho lawmakers attended the American Legislative Exchange Council’s annual conference in Salt Lake City last week, but only two – Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, and outgoing Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol – went at state expense. The others either traveled at their own expense or got scholarships from ALEC, a group that brings together business interests and state lawmakers to work on policy issues.
Eye on Boise: Andrus Center’s new director brings statewide experience
BOISE – David Adler, a longtime political science professor and constitutional scholar at Idaho State University, has been named the new director of the Andrus Center for Public Policy at Boise State University. Since he spent the last two years as director of the University of Idaho’s James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research, Adler is completing an arc over all three of the state’s universities. “With our designation by the State Board of Education as Idaho’s public affairs university, Dr. Adler’s appointment allows us to realize the full extent of our public affairs mission,” said Boise State President Bob Kustra.
Eye on Boise: Cigarette tax hike quickly stubbed out
BOISE – When a proposed $1.25-per- pack cigarette tax increase was rejected by a House committee last week – the panel refused to introduce the bill or allow a hearing – two North Idaho lawmakers were outspoken in their opposition to the bill. Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries, said, “The smokers, I want to thank them for this building we’re in,” noting that Idaho tapped cigarette tax proceeds to pay for the bonds to renovate the state Capitol. “It’s kind of ironic that they can’t smoke in it,” he said.