Donald E. ‘Sam’ Sears

Resume: Democrat, 66, retired … graduate of North Idaho College… U.S. Air Force photographer for 20 years … worked at U.S. Forest Service nursery for 20 years … lost 1995 bid for Coeur d’Alene City Council … active in Veterans of Foreign Wars, past president of national children’s home … chairman, governor’s Veterans Affairs Commission … married, two children.

Finances: $2,579 total receipts, including $500 loan from the candidate. Top contributors are: PAC for Education, Boise, $1,000; Laborers International of America No. 238, Spokane, $300. Four individuals or couples gave $100 each: George and Jackie Lyman, Coeur d’Alene; Mary Lou Reed, Coeur d’Alene; H.P. and Agnes Vanderhoef, Boise; and Lee and Evelyn Spurgeon, Hayden Lake.

Why running: To help balance the scales between the parties in the Republican-dominated Legislature; to fight for important issues, such as education.

What will do first: Would work to lower property taxes by expanding homeowners’ exemption; and seek state contribution to school construction.

, DataTimes