Gop Has This Race Locked Up

Thu., May 21, 1998

By Erica Curless ericac@spokesman.com (509) 459-5439

District 2 House

Politicians are scarce in the District 2 House race. Incumbent Rep. Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum, takes pride in the fact that after two terms, constituents still call him a grass farmer, not Mr. Representative.

And the political resume of challenger Kevin Krieg of Post Falls is punctuated with experience as an auto mechanic.

Voters will decide in the May 26 primary which Republican citizen legislator will go to Boise. No Democrats are vying for the seat in the November general election.

Meyer, who was elected in 1994, sees education as his top priority.

He also wants to find money to protect the Spokane-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, which would save small water districts hundreds of thousands of dollars for additional water tests.

Abortion and dousing grass burning on the Rathdrum Prairie top Krieg’s platform.

Krieg says field burning is an economic burden besides a health risk. He wants to replace grass growing jobs with small businesses and high-tech companies.

As a Kentucky bluegrass grower, Meyer argues field burning is an economic necessity and is needed to save the Rathdrum Prairie from rapid development.

Krieg also wants to ban abortion and condemns Meyer’s pro-choice voting record.

Meyer believes state lawmakers should stay away from the abortion debate because its a medical issue, not a political issue.

Krieg made headlines last winter while lobbying the Post Falls School District to teach creationism alongside evolution. If elected, Krieg said he wouldn’t push the issue in Boise because local people should make curriculum decisions.

While Meyer makes plans for another term, Krieg says he wants to bring new ideas to the state Capitol.

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