Democratic gubernatorial candidates come together

Thursday, The City Club of Idaho Falls put on the “2018 Democratic Gubernatorial Forum” at ISU – Idaho Falls University Place. A.J. Balukoff and Paulette Jordan came together to present their ideas and plans, and answer questions the Eastern Idaho public has.

With May 15th inching closer and closer each day, Idaho Gubernatorial candidates are aiming to secure those last minute votes before the primaries.

“Because East Idaho is just as much as Idaho as any part of the state,” said Jordan. “I want to make sure that everyone here in Idaho Falls and the surrounding community understands that they are the focus, they are the center point just like every other constituency base.”

“To be in front of people, to have them take a look at both of us at the same time and try to make up their decision as to who they think will be the better candidate for the general election,” said Balukoff.

The two candidates were invited to take part in the forum put on by the City Club of Idaho Falls where they were asked questions by the public. Questions ranged from issues on health care.

“We need to have a plan to have more doctors here it doesn’t take 6 to 8 weeks to have an appointment,” said Balukoff.

To the standard of living in Idaho.

“I think this is an opportunity for us to work with business leaders to say that this is not the responsible way to move forward but we have to pay our people fairly,” said Jordan. “No Idahoan should be living in poverty.”

There were questions on their opinions for topics that were important to Eastern Idaho like the nuclear waste movement to the INL.

“I want to speak to the INL leadership to better understand in this particular with nuclear,” explained Jordan. “There’s a lot of misinformation that [goes] around our state.”

One question even got a huge from the crowd,”how do we support civil discourse in this country?”

“I think leading by example is truly the way and honestly compassion towards another teaches someone,” said Jordan.

Balukoff replied, “I think it’s important that we model good behavior and demonstrate that positive ads do work.”

With the great support from the audience, it gave both candidates hope for the future of the state.

“I just appreciate that people are curious that they want to know more, that they’re invested. People asking question shows that people are fully invested in building back into their government again,” said Jordan.

As well, for the next months primary.

“People came down afterwards and talked to me and said that we both presented ourselves really well and were articulate,” said Balukoff. “Several of them said they’re going to have a hard time choosing.”

You can watch the entire forum below.