Steve Johnson launches Dist. 1 Senate campaign

By Reader Staff

Independent candidate Steve Johnson officially kicked off his campaign seeking the District 1 Idaho Senate seat, running against Republican nominee Scott Herndon on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

A retired educator, farmer, rancher and local business owner, Johnson has lived on the family farm in Sagle since 1957. He announced the beginning of his November election bid to a crowd of supporters in Sandpoint on Aug. 4.

“We need representation in Boise that focuses on the issues that affect North Idaho families,” Johnson said. “I’m running for state Senate to give people in District 1 an opportunity to vote for someone who will fight for the things they care about. When I’m elected, I will bring real solutions that represent the values of North Idaho.”

Johnson’s platform includes affordability, protecting public lands and ensuring the government abides by the Constitution — including the state’s mandate to fund public education, which is a burden he said is currently falling on local property taxpayers instead.  

“That platform has resonated with local voters, including many Republicans who felt misled by the questionable tactics in the recent primary election,” campaign officials stated.

At the Aug. 4 campaign launch, Johnson said: “My opponent wants Idaho to become something that has never been; a place where a narrow ideology decides what your family, your doctor, your school and your business are allowed to do and not do. We don’t want that. We need to preserve and protect our Idaho values. 

“I’m not running to fight a culture war,” he added. “I’m running to keep our home sustainable: the land, the lifestyle, the cost of living, the schools and the jobs. I’m running on real issues, not ideology.”

More information can be found at SteveJohnsonForSenate.com.