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Senator James Ruchti for Idaho District 29

James and his wife, Wendy, have been married since 1993. They spent the first few years of their marriage in Germany while James served in the military. When he wasn’t out in the field or deployed, they managed to travel all over Europe in their Nissan Pulsar (not a family-friendly car) with their brand-new baby, Spencer, along for the ride in his car seat. Upon returning to the States, they had another son, Drew, and their family was complete.

After leaving the military, James and Wendy went back to school at the University of Idaho, where James obtained his law degree and Wendy earned her Ph.D. in education. She has taught public school, been a school coach for a national education non-profit, and is now a professor at the College of Education at ISU.

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WE ARE IDAHO

“I have spent a lifetime committed to this community. I love this place and want the best for Pocatello and Idaho.”

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Legislative Priorities

My focus is your focus: To prioritize the real issues that matter to everyday Idahoans

  • Properly funding K-12 public education.
  • Preserving & protecting Idaho’s public lands.
  • Supporting Idaho’s hard-working families and small businesses.
  • Preserving Idaho’s excellent judicial system.
  • Consumer protection issues, property tax relief, Veterans Affairs, and more.

Legislative Approach

  • LISTEN to the needs of Pocatello citizens and deliver localized representation.
  • ACT through good legislation.
  • UNITE members across the aisle to do what’s best for Idahoans.
  • IMPACT and improve the lives of Idaho’s hardworking families.
View Recent Legislation

Values & Platform

INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION:

  • Find solutions to address Idaho’s teacher shortage
  • Overhaul and modernize the school funding formula
  • Make higher education more affordable and better equipped to produce graduates who are competitive in the marketplace

PROPERTY TAXES:

  • Solve the systemic problem leading to relentless property tax increases
  • Ensure property taxpayers are heard during the assessment and appeals processes
  • Make certain local governments are properly funded so they can support their communities

VOTING:

  • Expand voter access to the polls
  • Protect ballot initiative process
  • Ensure voting security

ACCESS TO QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE:

  • Ensure Medicaid expansion takes place as approved by a super majority of Idaho voters in 2018
  • Help find solutions to reverse the continual increase in health care costs

PUBLIC LANDS:

  • Protect access to Idaho’s public lands for hiking, fishing and hunting
  • Keep Idaho’s rivers, lakes and water resources clean and useable

VETERANS:

  • Help veterans access their benefits
  • Ensure Idaho’s veterans programs and systems are working for the veterans they serve

EMPLOYERS, WORKERS AND UNION MEMBERS:

  • Protect PERSI
  • Focus on legislation that supports Idaho’s small businesses
  • Protect workers from discrimination
  • Fight for Idaho’s union members and their rights

BODILY AUTONOMY:

  • Fight for all Idahoans’ right to make highly sensitive, personal decisions about their reproductive health without government interference
  • Ensure that Idaho’s abortion laws are based in compassion and science, and that they take into account maternal health and welfare
  • Protect birth control and other related, essential forms of reproductive healthcare that women rely on throughout the state