State representative, BYU-I lecturer hint at Idaho Falls mayoral candidacy

In less than 7 months, Idaho Falls mayor Jared Fuhriman will leave the seat he’s held for 8 years.

Since Fuhriman’s announcement earlier this year, only city councilwoman Sharon Parry has stepped into the public eye to suggest her candidacy for the vacant mayor’s seat in November.

On Tuesday, reporter Caleb James met with two prominent eastern Idahoans hinting at a possible run for mayor.

State house representative Jeff Thompson (R-Idaho Falls) and BYU-Idaho lecturer Rebecca Casper said in exclusive interviews it’s too early in the campaign season to stand on an official announcement of candidacy, but both say they are considering a run for the mayor’s office.

“I probably started off in this community as a concerned mother,” said Casper on Tuesday afternoon.

The multi-tasking Idaho Falls mom is no stranger to the political world. She holds a PHD in political science, and she’s been a lobbyist at the state level.

“In the coming year, we are going to face some challenges,” she said.

Casper said the city’s future leadership is in the balance, and she isn’t shy to say she’s thinking about taking the helm.

“I’m considering running for mayor,” she said. “I haven’t made a final decision yet. If and when I do decide to run, I will be very forth right about it, and everyone will know about it.”

Then there’s Thompson — a familiar figure in Idaho Falls.

He told our station exclusively on Tuesday, he’s “strongly considering” a run, as well.

“I would think the people of Idaho Falls want someone that is approachable, someone they can talk to, someone they feel they can come visit,” said Thompson.

Idaho Falls city councilwoman Sharon Parry announced her candidacy for the office in February. On Tuesday she scratched the surface of her plans with us:

“We’re speaking to the public, and we want the public to speak to us,” she said. “That to me is the hallmark of a beautiful campaign, whether it’s local, state, or federal.”

All three potential candidates said some of the issues most immediately facing Idaho Falls include expansion of the power grid, and business development.

Neither Thompson, Casper, or Parry have made an “official” announcement, but Parry said hers is coming soon.