Earlier this year, my book club read, “The Last Honest Man,” which profiles late Idaho Senator Frank Church and his distinguished efforts to rein in national security agencies that were out of control in the 1970s.
Bob Kustra of the Idaho Statesman wrote that James Risen’s book “…takes us back to a time when intellect and integrity won out …. Not enough has been written about those moments in recent history when profiles in courage arose from the thicket of partisanship and abuse of power.”
How I yearn for the kind of intellect, integrity and courage demonstrated by Senator Church and other home-grown Democrats such as former Idaho governors Cecil Andrus and John V. Evans.
I remain an Idaho Democrat in part because of the inspired work of these outstanding public servants who made such a difference to our state and country. Their commitment to democracy and the well-being of Idahoans stands in such stark contract to today’s Republican focus on concentrating personal wealth and partisan power at the expense of those less fortunate.
While it is true that only 12% of Idahoans are registered Democrats, a much larger number regularly vote for well-qualified Democratic candidates, indicating that many Republicans and Independents are fundamentally aligned with Democratic Party values.
I recently asked members of the Bonneville County Democratic Central Committee why they remain Democrats despite our small numbers and our minority status in the Idaho Legislature. Here are just a few of their responses:
- Idaho Democrats are more in tune with real issues that matter and real human needs, such as education, health care, affordable housing and building strong communities.
- I arrived in Idaho a centrist, but I have remained a Democrat given the anti-education posture of the Republican Party in this state.
- I find Democrats to be far more inclusive and not so judgmental of already marginalized people.
- Democrats continue to support democracy over fascism
- Democrats pay attention to resolving local needs and are less likely than Republicans to advance the agendas of right-wing think tanks (like the Mountain States Policy Center).
- Democrats believe that all people are created equal, and that this is America’s fundamental ideal. Further, Democrats believe the purpose of our government is to protect our nation, defend our democracy, and promote the welfare of each and every one of us.
- I refuse to be a RINO (Republican in Name Only) to vote in the primary, when voting for “moderates” hasn’t stopped the extremist agenda.
Having served in Governor Evans’ administration in the mid-1980s and witnessing his love of Idaho and its people, I remain a committed Democrat. I know what a difference our party has made in conserving Idaho’s outstanding rivers, wildlife and public lands, and in striving for a quality education for every child.
If you concur with these values, I invite you to return to the Democratic Party and stand with us into 2026.
Jan Brown is a retired nonprofit executive who is State Committeewoman for the Bonneville County Democrats and Region 7 Representative to the Idaho Democratic Party Central Committee.