Idaho State Senate District 11 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Idaho, 2022

---

On the ballot: U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Governor • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • Supreme court • Appellate courts • State ballot measures • School boards • Municipal

This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Idaho State Senate District 11 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 State Senate District 11

Chris Trakel defeated Toni Ferro in the general election for Idaho State Senate District 11 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Trakel (R)	63.8	6,187
		Toni Ferro (D)	36.2	3,513

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,700
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Kurtis Berger (Constitution Party)

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

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

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.

Expand all | Collapse all

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?

Toni Ferro (D)

Idaho’s investment in education is the lowest in the nation per student even though we have had record tax surpluses and tax cuts two years in a row. We need to support our hard-working school boards, administrators, teachers, parents, and students. Our kids deserve a chance to achieve their dreams.

Idaho is facing a housing crisis. This year the legislature barely discussed the issue and passed only a relatively small bill to address this pressing problem. High housing costs negatively impact our economy. Many jobs don’t pay enough for people who love this area to remain here. We need to make a commitment to recognize and address this worsening crisis.

Our legislators are not focused on our needs. During the last legislative session, legislators failed again to address our skyrocketing property taxes. If the legislature had not capped the homeowner's exemption in 2016, it would be $174,000 this year instead of $125,000. As a result, homeowners in Caldwell who qualify for the full exemption will pay an extra $800 this year. The legislature has record surpluses and they still let Idahoans struggle with rising taxes, underfunded schools, and a housing crisis. Instead of focusing on our real needs, the legislature fights over bills that Idahoans care little about, and often cost us millions in lawsuits. Caldwell needs representatives that listen and respond to the real needs of Idahoans.

Chris Trakel (R)

I am for lower property tax and removal of the grocery tax. Our taxes have been too high and have become a burden on many residents. No one should have to pay tax on essential items needed to live.

Protect individual rights, liberties, and freedoms. I am pro-Constitution, pro-2nd Amendment, pro-life from day 1, pro-family choice in education. I believe medical decisions should be left to individuals and that individuals are responsible and the sole authority in what they decide for themselves.

Less government control. Government has reached into many aspects of daily life that it was not intended to do. If the US Constitution does not give permission for the governments role then it should be left to the people, and if permission is given but the people can do it better, then government should step aside. We need better election integrity and I believe paper ballots is what we need to return to. Our liberty and freedom was bestowed upon us by our creator since our creation, it is the role of governments to recognize this and defend those rights that are already ours naturally.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Toni Ferro (D)

The people of Caldwell are driving my priorities.

In 2020 when talking to voters, the thing I heard the most were concerns about skyrocketing property taxes. As a result, high property taxes are one of my highest priorities. The legislature capped the homeowner's exemption in 2016 and that has shifted the property tax load from commercial buildings to homeowners. They could reverse this decision any time, but year after year they have let homeowners struggle.

This time around I am hearing again about property taxes, as well as concerns about housing costs and growth. We are in a housing crisis. People who work lower-end jobs can not afford to live here and as a result many employers are struggling to find workers. Renters who are facing higher and higher housing costs have less money to spend in other areas of our economy. These issues will have serious long-term effects on our economy if the legislature does not show leadership on this issue soon.

I also hear a lot about education funding. Idaho invests the least in the nation per student in education. We have record tax surpluses year after year because we don't fund education the way other states do. In addition, as Idaho grows we need new schools and many of our older schools need rebuilt. The only way school districts can get money for news buildings is through bonds that increase our already high property taxes.

We need a legislature that cares about and acts on these issues and others that face Idahoans.

Chris Trakel (R)

The protection of individual rights, liberty, and freedom. Government was created for the people, by the people. Governments role should and must be minimal in order to allow a free people. Parents rights must be protected, all parents should have a say in how, where, and what their children are taught. Parents should have any option they feel works best for them. Taxes are a necessary evil but they should be made to be as minimum as possible and they should never be a burden on the people. The most fair tax is the use tax. Our right to bear arms is what protects all of our rights from a government, any gun law is an infringement on the 2 Amendment. I am pro-life from conception, life is sacred and it must be given the chance to exist. In the end we are all Americans and though we have different views we cannot allow them to divide our nation and make us weaker. We must work together for the greater good and stop this ideology that you are either with me or against me. We live in the greatest nation on Earth, but only as long as we are united.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

I look up to my late Grandfather. He set the example of silent sacrifice, he worked up to the day he died making sure his mother-in-law and wife were taken care of. He served in the military and then his local community never expecting a thing. My father had this same ideology, and he too devoted his time and service to the military and as a policeman. There is no other way more honorable to me than to serve as they did. They did what was right, and they did it without seeking recognition.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

The US Constitution.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

I consider the following to be the most important characteristics of everyone; justice, judgement, decisiveness, integrity, dependability, tact, initiative, enthusiasm, bearing, unselfishness, courage, knowledge, loyalty, endurance.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

Justice, judgement, decisiveness, integrity, dependability, tact, initiative, courage, knowledge, loyalty, endurance.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

The core responsibilities for someone elected in any office are in my opinion; uphold the US and state Constitutions, remember the people are the only power holders, understand we are one nation under God, remain firm on principals that are ran on and to keep all promises made to the people.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Chris Trakel (R)

I helped to keep the power with the people of Idaho.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

The first historical event I can recall was in 1986 when the Challenger shuttle exploded. I was five watching the launch on tv at my grandparents house.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

My First job was with Seminis Vegetable Seeds. My job was to go to the crops and prepare the corn for cross pollination in the early season and then cross pollinate the corn when it was ready. I had this job for one season, before moving on to my next job for the fall.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Chris Trakel (R)

Batman.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

Baby Shark currently lives in my head, I have three kids.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

Being in a position of knowing yet unable to help.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

The governor and the state legislature need to be mutually supporting. The governor must have the support of the legislature in order to implement policy. The governor needs to recognize that the legislature is closer to the people and should support the legislation that comes from the people.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

Social reform I believe is going to be our greatest challenge. This will culminate into changing our very concept of freedom and security. There is a movement to change our very belief structure of independence into dependence on the government. This started nationally and has spread to every state in the union. Idaho's way of life is threatened by those who want to take the responsibility of making decisions for ourselves and family away and replacing it with the bureaucrats know what is best for the individual medically, educationally, scientifically, health wise, financially, vocally, and culturally. Our founding fathers did not create our nation, nor did our nation became the best in the world, by surrendering our freedoms, it was the removal of government power that made us great.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

This is not how our country was intended to be governed and it lacks many of the checks and balances a normal legislature has. The only benifit I see is the time to pass legislation would be decreased and that the senate couldn't kill a bill of the house or vice versa, over a "grudge".

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

Chris Trakel (R)

It depends on where that past experience comes from. I feel it is best that the common individual that wants to serve and is willing of his own experiences and opinions of their neighbors get involved.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

It is always beneficial to build relationships with other legislators. I bill or initiative cannot pass or be defeated by one vote.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Chris Trakel (R)

I agree with the process of my state other than how the committee must be filled on two points. Currently it is three Republicans and three Democrats, the number of particular parties should represent the ratio of Idaho's demographic. Also Idaho recognizes four political parties, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Constitutionalist, why are two excluded from the committee? This is not equal and gives no voice to the two parties.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

I would like to be a part of the State Affairs committee, Local Government and Taxation committee, Education committee, Finance committee, and Joint Finance-Appropriations committee.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

I prefer to learn from all legislators and model from them all. This allows me to see what works, what doesn't work, how the people accept it, and what the people want.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

I will serve anywhere the people want me to serve. At this time I have no intention of changing positions on my own.

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?

Chris Trakel (R)

I have heard this particular story many times, by many residents, and almost word for word, "What is the point, it doesn't matter what I do or say, it doesn't change what the government wants to have happen." This needs to change.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Chris Trakel (R)

What did the celery say when the carrot said, "Hi"? "HOLY COW! A TALKING CARROT!"

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

Chris Trakel (R)

We need checks and balances, the legislature is the closest state government office to the people and should absolutely oversee emergency powers.

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

Chris Trakel (R)

There will always be a need for compromise, and policymaking is no different. That does not mean we give in to forced compromise or compromise to allow with something that goes against our principles or core beliefs. There are times when we must stand firm when policy making, and I would argue that this would be the significant majority of the time. Compromise should never be used when it goes against our promises we made or when it violates the integrity of our platform or message that we stand for.

See also

More about these elections:

• Idaho State Senate elections, 2022

Select a district below to read responses from candidates in those races:

District 1District 2District 3District 4District 5District 6District 7District 8District 9District 10District 11District 12District 13District 14District 15District 16District 17District 18District 19District 20District 21District 22District 23District 24District 25District 26District 27District 28District 29District 30District 31District 32District 33District 34District 35Submit