Idaho State Senate District 18 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 18 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 18

Incumbent Janie Ward-Engelking defeated Dan Bridges in the general election for Idaho State Senate District 18 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Janie Ward-Engelking (D)	66.1	12,040
		Dan Bridges (R)	33.9	6,187

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,227
= 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?

Dan Bridges (R)

Cost of Living: Idaho must be affordable. Lowering state spending and taxes, minimizing bureaucracy, and enhancing business opportunity is critical.

Freedom: Individuals and families know what is best for themselves. Let them Live Free and Dream Big.

Respect: Respect for the land and people of Idaho. This includes ensuring safe communities, engaging in creative educational thinking, and embracing sustainable land and water policies.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Dan Bridges (R)

Finding ways to expand opportunity and freedom is what motivates me. Whether it be finding creative ways to improve education or more productive ways to run government services and lower spending, there are vast opportunities within public service to make life better here in Idaho.

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

Dan Bridges (R)

I look up to my parents. They were very honest and caring people and dedicated to being involved in their community. I also admire Abraham Lincoln. Very seldom has his pure strength of will and virtue been displayed in a position of such power and consequence.

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

Dan Bridges (R)

Integrity, respect for your constituents, and the ability to listen and communicate clearly and effectively.

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

Dan Bridges (R)

It is critical to have integrity, an open mind, and the ability and willingness to think and act for the benefit of my constituents. Having graduated from the US Air Force Academy with majors in both Aeronautical Engineering and Humanities, my analytical and communication skills have been well developed and honed for many years, as well as a deep sense of integrity. I will listen to a broad range of voices, ask difficult questions, and engage proactively to review existing or proposed policy to ensure the best possible outcomes for those I serve.

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

Dan Bridges (R)

My core responsibilities will be to work collaboratively with those I represent as well as my fellow legislators, hold true to the principles on which I was elected, and work to move Idaho forward in a way that best serves my constituents.

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

Dan Bridges (R)

When I was about 6-7 years old, I recall vividly the evening news in Atlanta each night playing on the TV. The first thing that would be discussed was the daily body count in Vietnam. The next thing would be the number of murders in Atlanta. From an early age, the pain of war and hopelessness became very clear to me.

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

Dan Bridges (R)

My first job was as a plumber’s apprentice. My boss had a broken arm and needed help while his arm was in a cast. It only lasted a few weeks, but the skills I gained in those few weeks have been applied time and again throughout the years. It is a testament to the idea that no learning or experience is without value.

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

Dan Bridges (R)

Experience is a measure of skill in a particular area. Government is a complicated institution whose primary purpose is to serve the people in many areas. As such, the experiences and values of family, community, and business serve as tremendously valuable assets as a state legislator. A legislative body with a wide variety of skillsets and life experience will best serve the people.

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

Dan Bridges (R)

Yes. Trust is absolutely necessary in the legislative process. And trust is not something that just happens. It is earned through experience, so relationships are key to success.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Dan Bridges (R)

Why did the dinosaur cross the road? Because chickens hadn’t evolved yet. It’s my favorite because my oldest son made it up as a boy. He loved dinosaurs at the time. He’s a funny guy and we love him!

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

Dan Bridges (R)

Yes.

See also

More about these elections:

• Idaho State Senate elections, 2022

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

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