Voter Guide: Kevin Gerrard (D)

Party:
Democrat

• Website: https://kevin.dems4idaho.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevinForIdahoSenate/
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Q: Tell us about your background, including your education, career experience, public service, and any previous political involvement. What experiences have best prepared you to serve in the Legislature?

East Idaho has been home to me for most of my life. I moved here as a teenager, grew up in Ririe, and graduated from Ririe High School in 2005. Today, I live in Rigby with my husband, Justin, and our two dogs.

I'm a REALTOR®, and through my work I get to meet people from all across East Idaho and hear about the challenges they're facing.

I currently serve on the Snake River Regional MLS Board of Directors. I've also been involved in my community through the Ririe Coalition for Community Development, where I served as Vice President, and the Ririe Chamber of Commerce.

I recently became the Democratic District 31 Chair. I haven't held elected office before.

I'm running because I care about our communities, and I think our Legislature would benefit from more turnover and some different perspectives. I don't believe everything Idaho has done is wrong, but I do believe there are things we could be doing better.

At the end of the day, we don't have to agree on everything to work together on the issues that matter to Idahoans.

Q: If elected, what would be your highest legislative priority, and what specific policies or actions would you pursue to address it?

My highest priority would be addressing the rising cost of living. It's not just one expense that's putting pressure on people. It's property taxes, housing, groceries, insurance, utilities, and everything else that adds up.

I don't believe there's one piece of legislation that will solve all of that, but I do think the state has a responsibility to look at where its policies might be making things harder.

Property taxes would be one place I'd start. I'd like to explore increasing the homeowner's exemption and whether the state could take on more responsibility for services that currently rely heavily on local property taxes. Of course, we'd need to understand how those changes would affect local government funding.

Housing is another part of the problem. We need more housing options that people can afford, but we also have to make sure our infrastructure can keep up with growth.

I want to focus on changes that can actually help with the costs Idahoans are facing, while being realistic about what the state can accomplish and what those decisions will cost.

Q: Many families are concerned about rising costs of fuel, housing, groceries, health care, and other essentials. What role should government play in addressing inflation and improving economic opportunities, and what specific steps would you support?

I think government has a role in addressing the cost of living, but we also need to recognize that Idaho can't control the price of everything.

What the state can do is examine its taxes, spending decisions, and policies that affect housing and other everyday expenses. We also need to be careful that decisions intended to save money at the state level aren't just creating additional costs for local taxpayers.

Another important part of this is creating more economic opportunities. I'd like to see Idaho continue supporting career and technical education, trade schools, and workforce training programs that help people develop skills for jobs that pay well.

Not everyone wants or needs a bachelor's degree, and there should be opportunities for people who want to learn a trade or pursue a different career path. I'd also like to see more opportunities for businesses and workers in our rural communities. People shouldn't necessarily have to leave the area to find a good job.

For me, it's about being responsible with taxpayer dollars while giving people more opportunities to get ahead.

Q: Immigration remains a major issue at both the state and federal levels. What is your position on immigration policy, and what role, if any, should state government play in addressing immigration-related concerns?

I believe immigration laws need to be enforced, but I have serious concerns about how immigration enforcement is currently being handled at the federal level. Both the scale of deportation efforts and the way people are being treated concern me.

People who come to this country seeking a better life should have a reasonable opportunity to do so legally. I also believe people who have lived here for years, worked, paid taxes, and built lives in our communities should have an opportunity to pursue legal status through a process that includes background checks and other reasonable requirements.

Immigrants have played an important role in Idaho's agricultural communities and many other industries. Their contributions shouldn't be overlooked.

Immigration is primarily a federal responsibility, but Idaho does have a role in public safety. I support cooperation with federal authorities in cases involving serious crimes, including violent offenses. But I also believe everyone deserves fair treatment under the law, and being accused of a crime doesn't automatically mean someone is guilty.

I don't believe the state should require every local law enforcement agency to enter into immigration enforcement agreements with ICE. Our sheriffs and police departments understand their communities, staffing, and available resources. Those decisions should remain at the local level.

I also don't believe limited local law enforcement resources should be used to broadly target people solely because of their immigration status.

We can enforce our laws, protect our communities, and still treat people with dignity and respect.

Q: Access, affordability, and workforce shortages continue to challenge the health care system. What do you see as the biggest health care issues facing residents, and what solutions would you advocate for?

I think one of the biggest healthcare challenges facing Idaho is access to care, especially in our rural communities. Finding a doctor, getting an appointment, or having to travel long distances for medical services can be difficult for many residents.

I'm also concerned about healthcare costs and workforce shortages. I'd like to see Idaho do more to support healthcare education and training, while finding ways to attract and keep doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in our smaller communities.

One option I'd be open to exploring is additional scholarships or student loan repayment assistance for healthcare professionals who commit to working in underserved rural areas. We'd need to look carefully at the costs and whether those programs are actually helping communities keep healthcare workers.

We also can't overlook seniors, people with disabilities, and families who depend on care at home. Those services can make a real difference in someone's ability to live independently.

I would generally oppose Medicaid cuts that reduce access to necessary healthcare. I understand the state has to manage its budget responsibly, but we also need to consider what happens when people lose access to services they depend on.

I'd like to see Idaho do more to improve healthcare access and address workforce shortages, particularly in rural areas where options are already limited.

As lawmakers consider state budget priorities, what level of funding do you believe public schools should receive? What factors shape your position, and what outcomes would you hope to achieve?

I believe Idaho needs to invest more in our public schools, but we also need to look at how education funding is distributed and spent.

Our schools should have the resources they need to provide students with a good education, whether they're attending school in one of Idaho's larger cities or a small rural community.

One of my concerns is how heavily some school districts rely on local bonds and levies. I'd like to see us explore ways to reduce that reliance while still making sure schools have the resources they need.

I'm also concerned about Idaho's private school tax credit program. I respect parents' decisions about their children's education, but I believe public schools should be our priority when deciding how state dollars are spent.

As for results, I'd like to see improvements in reading, writing, and math skills. We also need to do more to attract and retain good teachers and expand career and technical education programs. Not every student wants to pursue a bachelor's degree, and our schools should help prepare them for other opportunities.

I believe we can invest more in education while still expecting accountability. Taxpayers deserve to know where their money is going, and students deserve an education that prepares them for what's next.

Q: Looking at the most recent legislative session, what do you think lawmakers got right, what did they get wrong, and what changes would you advocate if elected?

I don't believe everything the Legislature did this year was wrong. There were some decisions I agreed with and others I think we need to reconsider.

I was glad to see lawmakers pass Senate Bill 1352, which addresses starter home subdivisions in larger Idaho cities. I believe allowing more housing options is an important part of addressing affordability, and developments with smaller lots are one way to do that. At the same time, we need to make sure our roads, schools, water systems, and other infrastructure can support that growth.

I'm also glad lawmakers continued funding water infrastructure and aquifer recharge. Water is incredibly important to East Idaho, especially our agricultural communities.

I appreciate that most public school funding for kindergarten through twelfth grade was protected from broader budget cuts. However, I'm still concerned about rising operating costs and the challenges our schools are facing.

Where I disagree is with some of the other budget priorities, particularly cuts to higher education and the continued use of state resources for private school tax credits while our public schools have funding needs of their own.

I understand that Idaho has to balance its budget, and sometimes difficult decisions have to be made. But cutting spending at the state level doesn't always mean taxpayers are saving money. Sometimes those costs just get passed down to local communities.

If elected, I'd like to see us be more thoughtful about our spending priorities and consider how the decisions we're making today will affect Idahoans in the years ahead.

Q: What is one issue that has not received enough attention during this campaign, and why do you believe voters should care about it?

One issue I'd like to see receive more attention is the support we provide to our first responders, especially in rural Idaho.

We depend on firefighters, EMTs, law enforcement officers, and other emergency personnel to be there when something goes wrong. But in smaller communities, maintaining adequate staffing, equipment, and training can be a challenge.

When someone calls 911, they need to know help is available. In rural areas, where distances between communities can be significant, having the right people and resources in place is especially important.

I also think we need to do more to take care of the people who take care of us. First responders witness and experience things that most of us never will. That can take a serious emotional and mental toll, and they should have access to confidential counseling, mental health resources, and other support when they need it, without feeling ashamed or worrying about being judged.

I also believe the state needs to look at how we're funding emergency services and whether too much of that responsibility is falling on local communities and property taxpayers.

We count on our first responders when something goes wrong. I think it's just as important that they know they can count on us when they need help, too.