Election Day is next week, and Terri Pickens is one of the six candidates running for governor of Idaho.
Pickens, born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho, ran for lieutenant governor in 2022 and is now running for governor of the Gem State for the first time.
“I’m a 4th-generation Idahoan,” Pickens said. “My kids, Maya and Parker, are 5th-generation. My daughter went away to college and told me that she was not coming back to Idaho because she did not feel welcome and safe in Idaho because of the loss of bodily autonomy and she is a gay woman and would like to be able to marry who she loves.”
Pickens graduated from Highland High School in Pocatello and earned her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law.
After speaking with thousands of Idahoans across the state, Pickens says there’s one issue that stands out among the rest.
“We have to address the affordability crisis in Idaho,” Pickens said. “We can do it very easily by first starting with an actually responsible balanced budget and not giving away all of our state revenue to the wealthiest few and put that money back into the good people of the state of Idaho through the resources of all of the programs that have been cut over the last two years.”
Other issues Pickens is concerned about are fully funding public schools and Proposition 1, both of which Pickens supports.
She has plans ready for her first order of business if elected.
“To walk into that office with a budget that works for Idaho families and the Idaho working class,” Pickens said. “They are my number one priority. It doesn’t matter if you vote for me or not. I am going to be the governor for all Idahoans and I’m going to pass a budget that helps all Idahoans, not just the wealthy few and special interest groups, like what Brad Little has shown Idaho.”
Here’s Pickens’ pitch on why Idaho should vote for her.
“People ask ‘How can you possibly win as a democrat in Idaho?’ Pickens said. “My pitch to them is, look at the people running. Vote for the person, not the party. People need to get out and look who’s actually working for the people of Idaho. Someone who actually has the best interests of the people of this state, as opposed to special interests in Washington D.C. I love this state with my whole heart, and I would like to see us get back to where we just take care of our neighbors and the government stays out of our business.”
For more information on Pickens and her campaign for governor, go to her website terriforidaho.com/.