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Jim Bratnober
Jim Bratnober is a former Democratic candidate who sought election to the Idaho State Senate to represent District 15. Bratnober lost in the general election on November 6, 2018, after advancing from the primary on May 15, 2018.
Biography
Jim Bratnober earned a B.S. degree in mathematical sciences from Stanford University in 1979. Bratnober’s career experience includes working as an engineer for Energy Systems Planning from 1977 to 1979 and Xerox Palo Alto Research Center from 1979 to 1981. He also worked as an engineer, manager, director of manufacturing, and director of research and development for Hewlett-Packard Boise from 1981 to 2012.[1]
Elections
2018
- See also: Idaho State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Idaho State Senate District 15
Incumbent Fred S. Martin defeated Jim Bratnober in the general election for Idaho State Senate District 15 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Fred S. Martin (R) | 50.0 | 8,947 |
 | Jim Bratnober (D)  | 50.0 | 8,936 | |
| Total votes: 17,883 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Idaho State Senate District 15
Jim Bratnober advanced from the Democratic primary for Idaho State Senate District 15 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim Bratnober | 100.0 | 2,027 |
| Total votes: 2,027 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Idaho State Senate District 15
Incumbent Fred S. Martin defeated Sarah Clendenon in the Republican primary for Idaho State Senate District 15 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Fred S. Martin | 67.2 | 2,837 |
 | Sarah Clendenon | 32.8 | 1,382 | |
| Total votes: 4,219 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jim Bratnober completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bratnober's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Education - Every child in Idaho deserves a top quality education so they have the foundation they need to succeed. Currently, our legislature isn't fully funding schools, forcing local bond initiatives to shift the burden onto property owners. Idaho families deserve a top-notch education system for a brighter future for everyone. Smart Growth - As Idaho grows, we must ensure we are investing in the necessary infrastructure to grow our economy and protect our quality of life. This includes access to affordable healthcare and housing. We must build an environment where our businesses and families can thrive. Public lands - We need to keep public lands in public hands and make sure they are protected for generations to come. Oil and gas corporations are buying their way into Idaho. People are seeing wellheads crop up unannounced near our cities. They are working through our legislature to seize public lands. I will protect our pristine lands from special interests.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Our education policy needs make our schools second to none, not second to last. The state government needs to shoulder its constitutional responsibility to fund schools adequately and not foist it off to the school districts who must past levies just to keep the lights on. A well-educated workforce will lift us out of this downward spiral of low wages and poverty by attracting and growing responsible companies that will pay higher wages. We need to focus on affordable access to healthcare for all Idahoans. Should the voters pass Medicaid Expansion, the Legislature must quickly implement it. Our tax policy has favored special interests for far too long. We need to make sure everyone, including corporations and the wealthy, are paying their fair share. The "tax cut" passed by the Legislature actually caused taxes to rise for some middle income families. We need to address that quickly.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
I believe that honesty, fairness, and accountability are key principles to the strength of our democracy. It is important that they are upheld by every elected official so that the public is informed and every individual has a voice. They must be willing to set clear expectations for themselves in the face of those they serve. Officials must back up their promises with commitment, and their commitments with action.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have spent my career bringing diverse viewpoints together to develop a set of common, shared solutions that everyone can get behind. This is what we need in our polarized Legislature now. I make promises and commitments carefully, because once made, I am bound and determined to see them through to completion. I take personal accountability for what I do and say. Finally, I believe all voices must be heard so that we can craft the best solutions for Idahoans.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
I believe that the core responsibilities for elected officials are to provide fair representation and ensure that the government is working for everyone, not just a select few. They should speak the truth directly and not shade it with vague words. They need to take personal responsibility for their words and actions, admit their mistakes, and learn from them.
What legacy would you like to leave?
The legacy should not be about me. It should be about Idaho. I want to leave office having helped make Idaho much better than when I came in. I want our great outdoors to be preserved for generations to come, and for all hard-working people to earn a fair, living wage. I want to help set Idaho on course for an even brighter future.
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.
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
Government should serve the people, ensuring safety and good public infrastructure, access to affordable healthcare, and preservation of public lands and environment. Private sector companies must pay their fair share and provide a living wage. Discrimination and denial of opportunities for any group is not acceptable. Is there anything you would like to add? I have dedicated this chapter of my life to paying back for all the blessings I've received. In 2014 I worked as a Volunteer Business Coach in West Africa. We took a new approach to solving poverty: mentoring small businesses so they could expand significantly and employ more people at better wages. Each of the people added to the payroll lifted up 5 or 10 more people in the community. This is the sort of thing we need to do in Idaho. Idaho has become very popular around the country and is now one of the most desirable places to live. I knew that when I moved here 36 years ago. We are on the cusp of tremendous growth, but are unprepared for it. New residents will put pressure on our infrastructure, schools, public lands and way of life. Our government needs to recognize this and take a common sense approach to funding critical improvements. I will address those needs with a clear vision and prioritized plan that ensures everyone shares fairly in Idaho's success, not just a privileged few. I want to make Idaho work for everyone. Hard working Idahoans should be able to earn a living wage, provide their children a safe, world-class education and pay the bills. No one should face bankruptcy because of their medical needs or have to choose between needed medicine versus food for their family. We need safe communities free of discrimination and harassment where everyone can thrive. I’ll use my business skills to find the best ways to grow Idaho’s economy responsibly. Our high quality of life should be protected and our public lands are part of that. Every Idahoan deserves the chance to succeed. I'm running because our State Legislature has drifted away from serving the people of Idaho. After decades of business and managerial experience followed by humanitarian work, I have the skills, judgment, attitude and compassion to put us on the right track.[2] |
” |
| —Jim Bratnober[1] | ||
See also
External links
Footnotes
