State Senate, District 2 Clyde Boatright, Nelson Campbell, Don Hesselgesser

Thu., Nov. 2, 2000

By Jenny Slater jennys@spokesman.com

Incumbent Republican Clyde Boatright faces challenges from an independent and a Constitution party candidate in next week’s election.

Boatright, R-Rathdrum, hopes to stay in office despite campaigns waged by Don Hesselgesser, the independent, and the Constitution Party’s Nelson Campbell.

Boatright has plans he wants to finish during his fourth term as a senator from North Idaho. Boatright, 70, would like to eliminate the state sales tax on food and supplement funds from the state’s surplus.

The surplus could also be used to build a new $65 million prison, Boatright said, to accommodate the growth of 60 new prisoners each month.

Since Boatright serves on the state’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, he said he wants to see North Idaho College receive $11.8 million for a new health and life sciences building.

Hesselgesser believes improvements to U.S. Highway 95 must be done. He wants to eliminate “tip credits” for restaurant workers and make their employers pay them full minimum wages. The state’s grocery tax rebate should be increased from $30 to $50, he said.

Hesselgesser, who opposed Burlington Northern and Sante Fe Railway’s depot being built on the Rathdrum Prairie, also wants to protect the area’s wildlife and grasslands from development, he said.

“I look at all these houses and it’s exploiting the environment,” he said. “Once these resources are gone, they’re gone forever.”

Campell insists local industries and competitive wages can be preserved by converting federal land in North Idaho to private property.

Idaho citizens are overtaxed and underpaid, Campbell said. Campbell supports a limited government, and personal rights.

“We’ve got all these taxes and we’re not getting much more services, I feel,” Campbell said, noting that the state’s surplus should go back to its citizens.

Campbell said he’s is running on the Constitutional Party ticket because it fits what residents want from the government.

“Most people in North Idaho are compassionate, loving people who want their freedom.”

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