SR Edit: Chenoweth-Hage Was Woman of Principle

Helen Chenoweth-Hage was known for many things. Her hard-rock Western conservatism. A shoot-from-the-hip style. Black helicopters. An insistence on being called “congressman.” Property rights. Gun rights. Eyebrow-raising statements, such as the one she used to explain why few minorities reside in North Idaho: “The warm-climate community just hasn’t found the colder climate that attractive.” For questioning why salmon was considered endangered when shoppers could buy the fish in cans at grocery stores. The last item inspired the regionally famous bumper sticker: “Can Helen, not salmon.” Chenoweth-Hage, who was killed in a vehicle accident in Nevada on Monday, also will be remembered as a woman of her word who was gracious to political opponents and wasn’t afraid to answer tough questions from adversarial media, even at times after they mischaracterized her as dumb and anti-feminist. Her commitment to principle never was more apparent than when she kept her promise not to seek re-election to a fourth term. For the rest of my editorial, click here .

Coeur d’Alene Press editorial about Chenoweth-Hage here