Kris Ellis

Resume: Republican, age 37 … owns Ruby’s Catering in Coeur d’Alene. Worked for national food service company in Oregon, Texas, Nevada and California for eight years … earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Oregon State University … precinct chairwoman on the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee … volunteered for Meals on Wheels … involved with New Life Community Church … married, two children.

Why running: “When we had the restaurant (Ruby’s Bistro) I did the books, the payroll. I was frustrated” with state tax policies.

Issues: Wants to give most of the budget surplus to taxpayers, and spend part to relieve counties’ burden in paying for indigent care costs … enhance teacher salaries, based on merit … shift focus from social issues to budgetary ones.