Idaho State Senate District 15 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Idaho, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Idaho State Senate District 15 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 15

Rick Just defeated Codi Galloway and Sarah Clendenon in the general election for Idaho State Senate District 15 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Rick Just (D)	49.8	9,193
		Codi Galloway (R)	48.0	8,866
		Sarah Clendenon (Constitution Party)	2.2	413

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,472
= 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

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.

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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?

Codi Galloway (R)

Pro Freedom: People, not government, should be able to decide what is best for them and their families. I say yes to the power of the individual, the family, and the human spirit.

Pro Education: I’m pro children and pro family. I am for innovation, options, and efficiency in our schools.

Low Taxes: I’m for a fiscally responsible and efficient government that is accountable for every taxpayer dollar. Individuals can manage their money better than the government

Rick Just (D)

I want to bring better balance to Idaho’s Legislature.

I will work to find additional funding for education in Idaho.

I want to find solutions that will lead to a better quality of life through access to affordable health care, better wages, and affordable housing.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Codi Galloway (R)

Education. Education advances skillsets, unlocks opportunities, and inspires confidence. As a former teacher, mom, and school administrator I have personally seen how education changes individual lives in a way that nothing else can. I will continue work to improve education opportunities for every kid.

Rick Just (D)

As an outdoor enthusiast and Idaho state parks professional, I am most passionate about public land policy. Our identity as Idahoans is strongly connected to our natural resources. They give us our strong sense of freedom and provide opportunities to bring us all together. We must protect public lands so future generations can hunt, fish, hike, and enjoy everything about the great outdoors. I believe we have the potential to become a national leader in sustainability.

As a writer, I am also passionate about education. I am the director of a state writing program for high school students and have served in several other positions that sought to enhance education in Idaho. Education is directly tied to a community’s success in just about every area, and our state is notoriously at the bottom. We must work to adequately fund education at the state level to address existing disparities. Our children deserve the chance to compete for the jobs of tomorrow and a great education system will bring those opportunities here.

I am also passionate about policies related to our quality of life. This ties back to sustainable growth, wages, and healthcare. As a former Boise Planning and Zoning Commissioner I understand the need to keep Boise a livable city with a variety of transportation choices. My conversations with voters tell me just how important it is to focus on providing access to affordable healthcare, livable wages, and affordable housing.

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

Rick Just (D)

My political heroes are Robert E. Smylie and Cecil Andrus. They were great Idaho governors from different parties who could work across party lines for the good of the state.

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

Rick Just (D)

Honesty, transparency, and a willingness to admit it when they are wrong.

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

Codi Galloway (R)

My experience as a 2nd grade teacher, mother of four, and as a business owner have helped me develop many qualities that bring success in life and as an officeholder. Those qualities include work ethic, compassion, financial literacy, critical thinking, project management, leadership, and problem solving. But in the end what District 15 needs most is a senator who is directly involved in the community and understands the challenges constituents face. I own a business in Boise, have children in public and private schools, teach in my church, and walk in the same shoes as many of the voters in district 15. I’ll be a successful office holder because I am an integral part of the community I seek to represent.

Rick Just (D)

I listen to understand.

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

Codi Galloway (R)

As an Idaho State Senator, I will have the responsibility to move forward the priorities I campaign on: Pro freedom, Pro Education, and Low taxes. As I address those foundational principals I’ll think with innovation, listen with an open mind, and plan strategically to accomplish goals.

Rick Just (D)

Representing the district that elects them to the best of their ability. One doesn't have to vote the way every constituent wants you to vote. That's impossible. But you need to listen to what they have to say and understand their point of view. Constituent service is another vital aspect of the job. If you have a constituent, who has a problem with government at any level, you need to be able to at least direct them to someone who can seriously consider their situation.

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

Codi Galloway (R)

My first job was Idaho Statesman Papergirl. My route was on Maple Grove and I delivered papers rain or shine from 7th grade all the way through my junior year in high school.

After graduating from college, I got my first real job as a public school teacher. I taught kids how to think for themselves, use data to solve problems, and communicate effectively. My favorite part of teaching was helping kids find their individual strengths and unique abilities.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Rick Just (D)

Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. This Pulitzer Prize-winner tells a fictionalized version of the story of a key Boise couple in the late 1800s. It depicts the tragedies and triumphs of those settling the American West.

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

Rick Just (D)

Balance. We have three coequal branches of government in Idaho. We need a governor who will work with legislators and vice versa. Recent actions by the Idaho Legislature have been designed to take away power from the governor and from the courts.

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

Rick Just (D)

Managing the challenges of growth. An increasing population brings with it many resources for government. We need to focus on the infrastructure needs that impact all citizens, particularly in education, transportation, and water quality and quantity.

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

Rick Just (D)

This isn't an issue in Idaho. Since there is only one unicameral state legislature in the country, this isn't worth spending time on.

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

Codi Galloway (R)

More important than political experience is community experience. The best legislators are those who are involved in their district through work, school, and play. Those who are involved in the real world have a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities their district faces. Professional politicians who have been in office for a decade tend to lose touch with the people they represent.

Rick Just (D)

Previous experience is beneficial in any job. Legislators need to have a good understanding of government. That can come through elected office or from working for the government. It can also be gained by following politics closely. Our biggest need in the Idaho Legislature is to have a wide variety of life experiences in the legislative body so that legislators can learn from one another.

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

Rick Just (D)

Of course. You need to understand what shapes the views of your fellow legislators. Building a personal relationship will make you listen more closely.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Rick Just (D)

An independent redistricting commission such as the one Idaho already has.

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

Rick Just (D)

Resources and Environment, State Affairs, Transportation

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

Rick Just (D)

There are many from both parties who I admire. I'll learn from them and chart my own course based on their experiences.

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

Rick Just (D)

No

Tell us your favorite joke.

Codi Galloway (R)

Here’s a joke. Not a joke but I always laugh when my teenagers ask for a later curfew because “every single one of their friends” has a later curfew. I used to try that trick to no avail with my own parents. You can’t fool moms.

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

Rick Just (D)

Emergency powers need to reside in the Governor's office. He or she can act nimbly when time is important. The Legislature can make decisions about issues that come out of the emergency in due course and more leisurely deliberation.

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

Rick Just (D)

Compromise and collaboration are essential in policymaking. It is only inappropriate when the issue is about human rights.

See also

More about these elections:

• Idaho State Senate elections, 2022

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