Caribou County Sun
Soda Springs, Caribou County, Idaho 83276
Vol. 79 No. 34 Thursday, June 3, 2010
Guest Opinion
Former Republican Senator Hansen Gives Support to Keith Allred
by Dennis Hansen
former Senator and IPUC Commissioner
I am a lifelong Republican, I was elected to five terms in the Idaho State Senate as a Republican. I was a committee chairman in the Republican-controlled State Senate. After serving in the Legislature, I was appointed to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission by Republican Gov. Phil Batt, and reappointed a second term by Republican Gov. Dirk Kempthorne. I have worked for many years to get Republicans elected in Idaho.
So why is this lifelong Republican supporting Democrat Keith Allred for governor?
The issues facing Idaho and this nation are the most challenging I have witnessed in my adult years. Now more than ever we need people who have the leadership skills to effect positive change.
Idaho continues to be a great place to live and raise a family and find employment. But the challenges before us are immense. We need to find ways to adequately fund education, transportation, corrections, health and welfare and recreation while simultaneously ensuring that taxes, fees and utility rates continue to be among the lowest in the nation. This is no simple task! We need someone who has the ability to consensus and move us forward.
With a strong legislature and a governor with vision and leadership, Idaho, as always, will rise to the task before it. During my conversations with Keith Allred, I have been so impressed with his ideas, vision, and problem-solving ability.
As founder of the Common Interest, he brought Republicans, Democrats and Independents together to propose solutions to the Legislature that cut property taxes on homeowners and protected private property rights. A can-do mediator, Keith has settled conflicts involving public lands, land use, hydroelectric dams, and tribal issues.
Keith Allred is not tied to political platforms. People, not special interest groups, are his priority.
Make no mistake, I am still a committed Republican. But in Keith Allred I see a gifted leader and a great American with a strong love for Idaho. That’s more important to me that adherence to a political party. This Republican is supporting Keith Allred for governor this November. I would encourage you to get to know Keith before you decide how you will vote.
Hansen, currently of Meridian, represented the Soda Springs area in the State Senate from 1987-1995 and chaired the Transportation Committee from 1991-95. He was a commissioner on the Idaho Public Utilities Commission from 1995-2007.