Three Announce Candidacy For Bannock, Power Positions

There were more shakeups Thursday night with local legislators in Bannock and Power counties, and this time it was bipartisan.

Pocatello-Chubbuck school board trustee Nate Murphy, 22, announced his candidacy for a District 29 representative seat. Murphy ran reelection campaigns for both Sen. Diane Bilyeu (D-Pocatello) and city council member Eva Johnson-Nye. Murphy said he wants to stand up for middle class families, public education and transparent government. In his bid for the school board, Murphy ran his campaign on just $10, but won after knocking on 8,000 doors, he said.

“The type of campaign he ran highlights who he is as a public servant. He is fiscally conservative, energetic, and passionate about being available to the people of Pocatello,” a statement about Murphy said.

Republican Rep. Jim Guthrie (R-McCammon) won’t be running for his current seat this fall, but voters will still see his name on the ballot. Guthrie is running for the senate seat in the district currently held by Bilyeu. Guthrie said he wants to be an advocate for business, industry, education and agriculture in the two counties.

“Job growth, economic development, education, taxes, and health care are all issues that I am focused on. My diversity, experience, and work ethic will afford Bannock and Power Counties a Senator with the common sense and ability to make intelligent decisions,” Guthrie said in a press release.

To take Guthrie’s place in the house, Bannock County Republican Chairwoman Kelley Packer will be running as well. Packer said she is a Republican, but wants to get back to a place where both parties can compromise together. She is focused on maintaining smart fiscal responsibility and protecting public education, she said.

“I have thought about this long and hard for a long time. I have what I think are great solutions. I’d like to put them to the test. I’d like to bring this fresh perspective to Boise, and the one thing I can honestly say, is I will listen to everybody and every side,” Packer said.

All three are currently uncontested. The filing deadline for candidacy is March 9.