Primary Will Determine Next Treasurer

Thu., May 21, 1998

By Betsy Z. Russell betsyr@spokesman.com (208) 336-2854

State treasurer

Who’s better qualified to be Idaho’s next state treasurer: A legislator, a county treasurer or a banker?

When Republican Party voters make their choice among the three next Tuesday, their decision is likely to hold through the November general election. No Democrat is running for the post, so the GOP primary winner will face only a minor-party candidate in the fall.

Barbara Bauer, Ada County treasurer, points to her two college degrees in business. Neither of the other two candidates has a four-year degree.

Bauer also cites an “exact parallel” between the state treasurer’s job and her current elected post.

“I’ve handled investments, fund accounting and managing the treasury function,” she said. Plus, she added, “I am very good at saving money. Every year for 12 years, I’ve turned money back from my budget.”

Ron Crane, a longtime legislator from Canyon County and current chairman of the House State Affairs Committee, notes that after an early stint of banking work, he started his own burglar and fire alarm business in 1979 and has built it into a success.

“I know what it is to meet a payroll, I know what it takes to operate a successful business in today’s environment,” Crane said. He added that he’s the only candidate with legislative experience.

Trudy Jackson, who rose to vice president at U.S. Bank before leaving that job in November, cites her 22 years in banking, during which she worked through huge technological changes and two major bank mergers. She also handled the same financial products the state treasurer’s office uses.

“I have a current understanding of today’s financial environment, and the direction of technology for the future,” she said. “I’m the only candidate coming from the private sector.”

The winner of the Republican primary will face Reform Party candidate Latham Williams of Ketchum, an investment banker, in the November general election.

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