CANYON COUNTY, Idaho — After the Incumbent lost the May Primary Elections District 11 will see two new candidates for State Senate on the ballot both Canyon County Natives.
- Both Candidates raised in Canyon County have seen changes they would like to help change.
- Each welcomes growth but with a plan to protect the agricultural community.
- Housing, Healthcare workers' protection, and school funding are just a few things they will tackle if elected.
(Below is the transcript from the broadcast story)
In the race for District 11 in the state senate, both candidates have deep roots in Canyon County.
Both Camille Blaylock and Toni Ferro tell me they've seen a lot of change in their lifetime
"So I just thought hey I can either complain or get involved," said District 11 State Senate Candidate Camille Blaylock
Camille Blaylock is a wife and mother, running for public office for the first time.
As a former healthcare worker, she has concerns about how recent abortion-related legislation is impacting people in the community... And in the profession.
"There's a risk for them obviously because they are leaving the state and anyone that is telling you otherwise is not looking at the facts; they're not looking at the fact that Caldwell had only one maternity ward and now it's gone. So we have to dig and we have to do a responsible thing to make sure doctors feel safe and that they can practice within our state. And the growth is here right and we all feel it when we are driving anywhere," said Blaylock
Both candidates agree growth will continue no matter what and feel there needs to be firm plans to protect agriculture
"We've been blessed in Canyon County with some of the best soil in the world and there's a responsibility when god gives you something like that you can't just go and develop that," said Blaylock
Toni Ferro is a 5th generation Idahoan who grew up in Caldwell and is concerned with rising housing costs in the county.
"Rents have doubled in the last 10 years. Eviction filings have doubled in the last one year in the valley, and so wages are not keeping up here in the valley," said District 11 State Senate Candidate Toni Ferro
Ferro fears homelessness will become a big issue if affordable housing isn't established now... And feels the legislature has the power to make major changes that can leave a lasting impact.
"The legislature just passed one bill this year on housing and that was to eliminate any local renters' protection so it's really the opposite of what people are needing they need more protection," said Ferro
Ferro was also proud to attend Caldwell School public schools but thinks the state is failing students by underfunding.
"We have the worst-funded schools in the nation we fund them the lowest per-student amount of any state in the nation we've had surpluses of a billion dollar to two billion dollars and we are still not funding our schools," said Ferro
