Elmore County GOP chair files to run for Rep. Nielsen’s seat

Megan Blanksma, a farmer from Hammett and current Elmore County Republican chairman, announced today that she’ll run for the seat currently held by Rep. Pete Nielsen, R-Mountain Home, in the May GOP primary. “I am committed to getting out there and doing the work necessary to address the problems we face, rather than waiting for solutions to come or simply political grandstanding,” Blanksma said in a statement. “I will focus my time and energy on addressing the types of issues that affect our community and support our core Republican principles.  Our community needs someone who will focus on what is important to Elmore, Owyhee and Twin Falls counties.”

She and her husband Jeff grow potatoes, wheat, beans and alfalfa hay; they have two children and have lived in Hammett for nearly 20 years.

Nielsen, who is in his 7 ^th House term, hasn’t filed for re-election thus far; the Idaho Secretary of State’s office has the list of candidates here , where it’s being updated periodically. The list shows that in the same legislative district, Rep. Rich Wills, R-Glenns Ferry, has drawn a GOP primary challenger, Christy Zito of Hammett. Wills is the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.