State House, District 3 Ellis, Gerrard

Fred Gerrard decided to make a run at politics because he believes leadership requires more than promoting social issues.

Kris Ellis, 37, was hand picked by outgoing state Rep. Jeff Alltus, R-Hayden, to succeed him. But the home-schooling mother of two said she is not the second coming of the controversial lawmaker.

“I support Jeff and I think he did a good job,” Ellis said. “But I’m not Jeff.”

Gerrard, 61, is retired from the Navy, spent years working for major companies ITT and Litton Industries Inc. and even taught college-level business courses.

Gerrard’s hopes to transform U.S. Highway 95 into a major commerce route that is also safe for travelers.

“We will never achieve our business potential unless we get that north-south corridor,” he said.

He said he joined the race because he was frustrated by Alltus’ emphasis on pushing social issues in the Statehouse.

“I go to church every Sunday. But I’m more open minded” Gerrard said. “Even though you may not agree with them, sometimes you have to represent them.”

Alltus made his mark in the House as a Christian conservative and a backer of abortion restrictions and term limits.

Ellis said Alltus’ failed bill that would have regulated nude dancing at Stateline Showgirls was an example of a social agenda going too far.

“It should have been a county issue, not something folks in Boise should decide,” she said. “You can be conservative and still be friendly.”

Ellis and Alltus both attend New Life Community Church, whose 2,800 members were a catalyst for Alltus winning three terms.

Alltus said that same support structure is backing Ellis.

“She has a passion for the issues,” he said. “I think she will be a person who is willing to stand alone on an issue she thinks is of some value.”

Both Ellis and Gerrard call for more accountability on education spending.

Ellis - who placed a self-imposed four-term limit on herself if elected - supports the state giving tax credits to parents who either home school or send their children to private schools.

“I definitely support dollars for public schools spent properly,” she said. “They are just not allocating it as efficiently as they could.”

Gerrard also wants to make school districts accountable for the money they spend.

“We are not getting a dollar’s benefit for a dollar spent on education,” he said.

For example, Gerrard can’t understand why each school district in the state needs different textbooks.

“A period on a sentence is a period on a sentence,” he said. “I feel individual principals need to be more accountable budget wise.”

Asked what he thought of his chances, Gerrard replied: “I’m facing an uphill battle because I’m unknown and people don’t know my politics,” he said. “But I’ve got the time to devote to research the issues.

“I don’t have to raise a family or school them.”

Ellis said if she wins, she will home school her children during the summer and give them their vacation during the Legislative session.

“People who like Jeff will like me automatically,” she said. “People who don’t like Jeff will also vote for me.”