Where will Idaho’s next governor stand on gay marriage, religious rights?
Among the most prominent examples, Otter fought in court to defend
In the race to succeed Otter, the Statesman asked four other leading candidates where they stand on the
Democratic candidates include
Q: If elected, would you challenge the
The issue: Otter took his battle to defend the state's ban on same-sex marriage to the
Ahlquist: "I believe that marriage should be the union of a man and a woman. As our governor, I will support policies that promote and safeguard the traditional institution of marriage. I strongly disagree with the
Balukoff: "With all of the challenges that
Jordan: "As governor, I would not challenge the
Labrador: "Strong families improve our communities, our state and our nation. As governor, I'll actively look for ways to strengthen healthy families and foster policies that result in resilient communities. I will also actively look for an opportunity to challenge the
Little: "While serving in the
What you should know: In 2004 and 2005, then-
Ahlquist's website in early 2017 included a pledge to "fight to protect
Q: Where do you stand on enacting legislation protecting citizens from civil action for exercising their religious beliefs?
The issue: Across the country, some businesses, doctors and other service providers have been sued for refusing to provide services to gay people, women seeking birth control and others because it goes against their religious beliefs. And there's been the reverse: In 2016, when same-sex marriage became legal in
Ahlquist: "As a former lay minister in my faith, I understand and have witnessed firsthand the assault across the nation on people of all faiths. As governor, I'll do everything I can to protect religious freedom."
Jordan: "I believe in the right to religious freedom, but I do not support religion as an excuse for bigotry. LGBTQ folks are entitled to the same legal protections against discrimination that women, people of color, people with disabilities, and religious minorities have fought for and won over the past century. Religious freedom laws should not permit businesses or individuals to unlawfully discriminate against their fellow taxpaying Idahoans on the basis of sexual orientation."
Labrador: "All people have a fundamental God-given right to worship in accordance with one's own beliefs. Our
Little: "I support protecting Idahoans' rights of expression and exercise of their religious beliefs.
Balukoff did not respond to this question.
What you should know: In 2015, Labrador introduced in
Q: Where do you stand on repealing
The issue:
Ahlquist: "As a physician in the trenches of the ER whose responsibility was to save lives, I've seen the power of faith in medicine. But I also understand the need to provide life saving treatments to critical patients. I am confident that the right balance can be found to ensure we continue to protect parental rights while at the same time protecting precious lives when life-saving medical procedures are absolutely necessary."
Balukoff: "Idahoans are free to practice whatever religion they choose, but we cannot put our children at risk by denying them proper healthcare that leads to serious illness or worse."
Jordan: "If autonomous adults choose to forgo lifesaving medical treatment for religious reasons, they should be allowed to make that very personal decision. They should not, however, be able to make such a decision for their children. I support the repeal of
Labrador: "Families, not government, should make health care decisions for their children."
Little: "As a parent and grandparent, and a person who supports life, we go to great lengths to protect the lives of the unborn. While we should protect the right of exercising one's religious beliefs, parents have responsibility to protect their children."
What you should know: No faith-healing related bills came up for a hearing from 2002 to 2010 while Little and/or Labrador were in the Legislature. In 2014, Otter convened a Children at Risk task force to look at the issue, but no legislation came out of it. In 2017, the
Q: Where do you stand on ending funding for
The issue: Under federal law, Medicaid does not cover abortions. And,
Ahlquist: "Tax dollars should not go to
Balukoff: "
Jordan: "
Labrador: "It is wrong to use taxpayer dollars to fund abortion clinics. As governor, I'll work with the Legislature to stop state Medicaid dollars from reimbursing abortion clinics. Additionally, as governor, I'll require abortion clinics in
Little: "
Q: Where do you stand on enacting "stand your ground" legislation in
The issue: "Stand your ground" is a self-defense law that allows someone to use deadly force, instead of retreating, if they feel their safety is threatened at work, in their vehicle or other public settings. It is based on the "castle doctrine," a centuries-old law that allows someone to use deadly force while defending their home.
Ahlquist: "I absolutely support 'stand your ground'. Every Idahoan has a fundamental right to defend themselves and their loved ones."
Balukoff: "Legislation like this is unnecessary. Idahoans already have the legal right to protect themselves, their families, and their property."
Jordan: "While I recently voted to allow our bipartisan House to further debate a 'stand your ground' bill due to appeals by my constituents, I do not support this legislation. The bill seeks to undo
Labrador: "
Little: "
What you should know: Two bills expanding
Q: How do you define "
Ahlquist: "I define
Balukoff: "Above all,
Jordan: "Idahoans value the strength of our communities and the vitality of our land. Fiercely independent, we derive power and dignity from our own self-reliance. We want high quality education for our children and we believe that compassion and ethical responsibility are the essential principles of being a good neighbor. We understand the importance of protecting the natural world in order to preserve the beauty and utility of our environment for future generations. We believe in fundamental fairness. We believe in hard work and we believe in taking care of one another. Most of all, we believe that we have the ability to build a better state -- a state in which we can all prosper."
Labrador: "Idahoans are an optimistic people of high moral character who are defined by their love for family and community, faith in God, and rugged independence. And, as governor, I want our state government to reflect those values. Big government and the mainstream media want to tell us those values aren't important, but Idahoans know different. When I'm elected governor, I'm going to protect life, defend traditional marriage and limit our government so all Idahoans can pursue economic opportunities and create a brighter future for their families."
Little: "Hard work, freedom, self-reliance, family and faith are
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