Nate Murphy: "The election is going to be about my record in public service and the issues."

I decided to run for the Idaho House of Representatives because I believe that special interests in Boise are using their influence to silence the voices of the middle class. I’ve seen first-hand how hard this recession has hit Idaho. Too many people are out of work. Too many families are struggling. Short-term solutions will never be enough. - Nate Murphy

"Nate Murphy knocked on 8,000 doors and spent just $10 on his successful 2011 campaign for Pocatello's school board, but the 22-year-old's current bid to become one of Idaho's youngest-ever legislators is exacting a higher price," according to the Associated Press. "He's running for Pocatello's District 29 House seat as a Democrat in a Republican-dominated state. He also has a misdemeanor marijuana conviction from 2008 he knew he'd likely have to explain to voters before November."

The article goes on to explain how, in March, "he was accidentally outed as gay after Idaho's only openly gay lawmaker told The New York Times that Murphy would be taking up her legacy.That's how his father and grandmother found out about his bisexuality. Given those distractions, Murphy is working hard to refocus voter attention on the topics that matter to him, not diversionary issues he says distract from his core message of improving Idaho education, a theme that won him his School District 25 trustee seat last year."
“At the end of the line, I think the election is going to be about my record in public service and the issues important to my district,” he said.

According to Nate:

We have a responsibility to the next generation to craft long-term economic solutions that take into consideration the legacy we want to leave our children.
 
I will work hard to create an environment that is successful in recruiting and maintaining living wage jobs. Strengthening our education system is a critical part of rebuilding Idaho’s economy. Education is an economic issue, especially in Pocatello, where the two largest employers are Idaho State University and School District #25.
 
When politicians like Tom Luna try to replace teachers with computers, it can have devastating effects on Pocatello’s economy. In an increasingly global world, education must be the crux of any successful long-term economic strategy.  We need to keep teachers in our classrooms. We need smaller class sizes. If elected, I’ll work to increase funding for education and make higher education more affordable.

I believe that part of creating a future for our children involves protecting the things that make Idaho special. Idaho’s scenic beauty is a gift that should be preserved and passed on to future generations. Working to keep Idaho’s air and water clean is a crucial part of preserving that beauty. If elected, I will work to protect Idaho’s public lands and open spaces. Outdoor recreation is a defining characteristic of life in Idaho, and I don’t want to ever lose that.

Lastly, I believe that people’s faith in democratic institutions can only be restored when we have an open and transparent legislative process. Corruption tarnishes the integrity of our government and gives democracy a bad name. If elected, I will work towards reforms that hold leaders accountable for their actions and promote ethical decision-making.


Learn more about Nate and his positions at:


facebook.com/murphy4house
and Natemurphy.org