Idaho House of Representatives District 2B candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Idaho, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Idaho House of Representatives District 2B who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Idaho House of Representatives District 2B

Dale Hawkins defeated Tom Stroschein and Jennifer Luoma in the general election for Idaho House of Representatives District 2B on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dale Hawkins (R)	78.5	15,537
		Tom Stroschein (D)	18.4	3,633
	Submit photo	Jennifer Luoma (L)	3.1	621

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,791
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Tom Stroschein (D)

I believe public education is the hallmark of our democracy and is the linchpin for the viability of rural communities in Idaho. The focus of my campaign is first and foremost to fortify the Idaho Education system in rural Idaho school districts while taking the burden off rural property tax payers who are plagued with annual requests by school districts to fund mill levy overrides in order to keep our rural schools operating..

Because Idaho is a large and mostly rural western state, geography and distance impact the health and safety of Rural Idahoans. The residents of Idaho’s rural communities tend to be older, experience higher rates of poverty and lower per capita income, and have higher uninsured rates, as compared to their urban counterparts. I support providing health and support services for the underserved in Rural Idaho.

Sustainability of Rural Idaho's Economic Base and Resources. I support long-term sustainability of our natural resources that create the economic base in our rural Idaho communities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Tom Stroschein (D)

Too many Idahoans connect Idaho politics with the politics in DC. An Idaho Democrat is very different from East or West Coast Democrats. To maintain a Republic in Idaho, we need ideas from both sides of the isle to protect Idaho’s democracy. I am concerned that industry and business in Idaho will not attract the skilled workers we need if we continue down this path of extremism and exclusion.

I am committed to funding and supporting public education and opposing any voucher system that will threaten our rural public school districts. I support an increase in the homeowner’s exemption to $200,000 to reduce property taxes and I support replacing the burdens placed on property tax with a corporate and wealth tax. I want to be clear that I support the unfettered freedom and privacy of women’s reproductive healthcare; and I believe in equality for all Idahoans. Finally, I am committed to improving mental health services to rural areas, particularly for our youth and veterans.

District 2 covers Clearwater, Benewah, Shoshone, north and east Kootenai, and south Bonner Counties. I have knocked on doors and visited all five counties extensively. All of the folks in my district have been exceptionally kind and thanked me for taking the time to visit them personally. That is the commitment I will take to Boise.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Tom Stroschein (D)

My father, Roy Stroschein. He was a second generation Idaho farmer who served on the local school board, was president of the Idaho State Trustees for two terms. He served on the three-member board of the Idaho Department of Transportation and was elected to the Idaho State Legislature. My father had a commitment to serve his community, serve our Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, and was committed to make Idaho a better place to educate children and strengthen families.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Tom Stroschein (D)

Montana Senator Jon Tester's book, "Grounded" best explains my political philosophy.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Tom Stroschein (D)

Represent the citizens of Idaho and not special interests. Protect the foundation and principles of our state constitution. Protect ALL Idahoan's freedom, especially the threats to our democracy imposed by radical right extremism and White Christian Nationalism.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Tom Stroschein (D)

My lifetime experience previously described.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Tom Stroschein (D)

To work with all my constituents and fellow legislators in finding solutions that make ALL Idahoans lives better.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Tom Stroschein (D)

First and foremost, I want to leave a legacy of being a good husband, father and grandfather. I want to leave a legacy of being a faithful, lifetime Idaho Vandal. Finally, I want to leave a legacy of being the oldest person to run, and win my election for the Idaho Legislature.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Tom Stroschein (D)

Bombing of Pearl Harbor. I was four years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Tom Stroschein (D)

Serving tables in the dining room of Upham Hall at University of Idaho for $0.75/hour for one year. I then worked at the University of Idaho sheep barns.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Tom Stroschein (D)

The Vandal Fight Song

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Tom Stroschein (D)

There have been a lot of challenges in my life, but the good Lord has blessed me with the strength to move forward.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Tom Stroschein (D)

A good legislature should be independent of the executive branch (governor). The legislature participates in initiating policy. For a legislature to be effective they must work toward a balance of power in order to maintain our system of representative democracy.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Tom Stroschein (D)

Re-establishing the balance of power, representing the representative's constituency, and making every citizen's vote count.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Tom Stroschein (D)

Idaho has always had a multi-cameral system and I doubt that will ever change.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Tom Stroschein (D)

Yes. Understanding the legislative process, and having established relationships with many of the current legislators helps make the time spent in Boise more productive.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Tom Stroschein (D)

Yes. Building relationships has always made my work on committees and boards successful. It is what I do best.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Tom Stroschein (D)

It's extremely difficult to create legislative districts in Idaho because of the size of Idaho, the concentration of urban areas, and vast rural areas, like the district I am running in.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Tom Stroschein (D)

Education and Agriculture

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Tom Stroschein (D)

NA

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Tom Stroschein (D)

Cecil D. Andrus

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Tom Stroschein (D)

No

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Tom Stroschein (D)

While on the Latah County Commission I was able to work with the Idaho Legislature to obtain Millennium funds to start the Idaho Recovery centers. There are dozens of success stories of people who have overcome alcohol and drug addiction because of this program that has grown to nine centers in Idaho.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Tom Stroschein (D)

No

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Tom Stroschein (D)

Compromise is necessary and important, and even more important is to have a well-balanced legislature.

See also

More about these elections:

• Idaho House of Representatives elections, 2022

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