Hucks interviews Paul Amador

• Huckleberries: Who is Paul Amador?
• Paul Amador: I’m someone who is passionate and concerned about the future of this community. We need to focus much of our attention in this state on the quality and diversity of our educational system in preparing a well-trained and knowledgeable workforce for our businesses. It’s incredibly important that we have opportunities for citizens of Idaho to lead healthy lives and to have successful careers.

• Huckleberries: Why did you decide to run?
• Paul Amador: It goes back to my philosophy. I have real concerns with how we’re being represented. I’m also excited because the citizens in District 4 are passionate about improving things for community, their kids and grandkids.

• Huckleberries: How are you qualified to be a state legislator?
• Amador: I’ve spent the last 10 to 12 years working in education in this state and nationally, improving the lives of people who are preparing to enter the workforce. I’ve worked at both community colleges and universities in multiple states, working directly with the students and helping them to advance through college. In past, I’ve been director of advising for community college in Indiana. Here, my title is director of program development for University of Idaho.

• Huckleberries: What’s the big differences between you and incumbent Kathy Sims?
• Amador: I don’t feel Rep. Sims has been a great supporter of education in our community. If people looked at her voting record on education, they’ll see that borne out. We also need to find fiscally responsible solutions to health care in our communities. She was a vocal opponent of the (mental health) crisis center. I see the center as a huge winner for our community because it provides a fiscally responsible answer to a need. In the past we only had three options: Send them to the emergency room, or to jail, or to be escorted by police to Lewiston. Those were the three most expensive options out there.

• Huckleberries: You haven’t lived here that long. Is that a problem?
• Amador: My wife and I have lived here for four years, after moving around. We love it here. And we don’t have any plans to move. From day one, I’ve thrown myself into this community. I’m proud to work for one of the great institutions in the state, the University of Idaho. Both my wife and I have volunteered with many groups as well as the chamber of commerce. This is absolutely home — and I’m proud to call it home.

• Huckleberries: Have you ever met Kathy Sims?
• Amador: I haven’t shook her hand, but we have been in the same room.

• Huckleberries — Tea Party or mainstream?
• Amador — I’m not sure that it’s healthy to label. The important thing is to represent my constituents and their values.

• Huckleberries: Why do you use the motto, “Your Turn to be Heard”?
• Amador — That comes from the political culture we live in now, both on the national scene in the presidential race and how we’re representing by many of our local representatives. They’re focused on speaking to small group of their constituency — and not listening to entire district. Kathy Sims is guilty of that. She does a good job representing her ideological constituency but not the 40,000 other people in her district.

You can read more about Paul Amador on his campaign Web site here.