Senate Race Viewed As Business Vs. Labor Boatright An Industry Advocate; Kenck Promises To Help Workers

Clyde Boatright has a simple explanation for how he’s managed to raise more money during his campaign than any other legislative candidate in the Panhandle.

“He’s organized labor,” Boatright says of his opponent, Larry Kenck. “These people do not want union influence in Boise.”

“These people” are the businesses and individuals who have donated a whopping $23,180 to Boatright’s state Senate campaign.

As an incumbent, Boatright made a lot of powerful friends while in the Legislature.

Boatright voted the industry line 100 percent of the time in 1995 and 94 percent of the time in 1996, according to The Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry.

“Business people need to be left alone. They don’t need the state breathing down their neck,” says Boatright.

Kenck might not get an “A” from industry if elected. He promises to work for higher-paying jobs and improving life for working people.

A Teamsters Union representative, Kenck has already found plenty of support among organized workers.

Until recently he was leading the campaign finance race with large contributions from labor. Although Boatright suspects Kenck has an “unlimited treasure chest,” Kenck is now trailing Boatright with $15,179.

His union support doesn’t mean he’s anti-business, Kenck says.

“Business and labor have to have a marriage between them, but it has to be a good marriage,” Kenck says. “It has to be built on trust and mutual respect.”

Kenck faults Boatright for opposing the state’s minimum wage bill, for instance, calling that “an example of where business does not represent working families.”

The two candidates hold some similar views, particularly when it comes to property taxes.

They both are unwilling to repeal the super-majority requirement for passing school bond levies, for example.

The two-thirds approval requirement for passage has thwarted many bond levies in North Idaho, including the third attempt in two years to pass a bond for new high school in Post Falls.

“I’d like to see the state and school districts go to a cost-sharing for new facilities,” Boatright said. “The state should be more involved than they are now.”

Kenck agrees, adding that if a matching-fund system of financing was approved, then would he consider reducing the super-majority requirement.

Kenck is critical of Boatright and his fellow lawmakers for failing to pass meaningful legislation to provide property tax relief, and blames part of the problem on the lack of real debate in the Legislature.

“When I’m elected, they will hear two sides of the issue,” Kenck says. “I will fight for working people … that’s the voice that is quiet down there.”

While Kenck calls for more debate, Boatright says North Idaho would be better served by having seniority in the Republican ranks.

“We’re starting to get some clout,” he says.

, DataTimes