Jim Walker (Idaho)

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Jim Walker

Nonpartisan

Greater Boise Auditorium District Board of Directors

Tenure

2013 - Present

Term ends

2031

Years in position

12

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

May 20, 2025

Education

High school

Meridian High School

Bachelor's

Boise State University, 1993

Personal

Birthplace

Nampa, Idaho

Profession

EMT/firefighter

Contact

Personal Facebook

Jim Walker is a member of the Greater Boise Auditorium District Board of Directors in Idaho. He assumed office in 2013. His current term ends in 2031.

Walker ran for re-election to the Greater Boise Auditorium District Board of Directors in Idaho. He won in the general election on May 20, 2025.

Walker completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jim Walker was born in Nampa, Idaho. He graduated from Meridian High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Boise State University in 1993. His career experience includes working as an EMT and firefighter.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Boise, Idaho (2025)

General election

General election for Greater Boise Auditorium District Board of Directors (2 seats)

Incumbent Jim Walker and Sophie Sestero defeated Aimee Pollard Tylor and Danielle Horras (Unofficially withdrew) in the general election for Greater Boise Auditorium District Board of Directors on May 20, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Walker (Nonpartisan)	40.1	6,790
✔		Sophie Sestero (Nonpartisan)	36.7	6,211
		Aimee Pollard Tylor (Nonpartisan)	15.2	2,567
	Submit photo	Danielle Horras (Nonpartisan) (Unofficially withdrew)	8.1	1,368

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,936
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jody Olson (Nonpartisan)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Walker in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jim Walker completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Walker's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’ve proudly served the Boise community for over 25 years as a Captain with the Boise Fire Department, currently leading our Hazardous Materials Team. My public service includes 13 years as Secretary-Treasurer for Boise Firefighters Local #149, chairing the union’s PAC for a decade, and founding the Police and Fire Healthcare Trust, where I continue as a trustee.

First elected to the Greater Boise Auditorium District Board in 2013, I was named Chair in 2014. I led the successful Boise Centre expansion, completed in 2018, and guided the District through the financial strain of the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-COVID, we focused on investments like the ICCU Aquatics Center, a 2023 project that boosts the local economy and serves thousands of kids.

In 2016, I joined Black Sage Technologies, quickly advancing to lead international business development. I closed the company’s first multi-million-dollar deal but stepped away in 2024 as the role grew unsustainable alongside my fire duties.

An Idaho native and Boise State Finance alum, I restored the Beck House with my wife Monica, earning the Preservation Idaho Orchid Award. I’ve volunteered for Camp Rainbow Gold and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Our two daughters, after college, have returned to the Treasure Valley, continuing our family’s tradition of community involvement.

I’m a 2012 graduate of Leadership Boise, where I formed lasting relationships that continue to influence my work today.

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?

• Support and Grow Boise Centre Operations: I will continue to support and enhance the operations of the Boise Centre, focusing on attracting conventions and events that drive visitors and increase economic activity in Boise.
• Invest in Community-Enhancing Projects: I will advocate for the development of more projects like the Boise Centre expansion and the ICCU Aquatics Center—initiatives that not only bring visitors to Boise but also provide valuable community amenities for local residents.
• Maintain Open Communication with Stakeholders: I am committed to maintaining an open and transparent dialogue with our stakeholders, ensuring we continually identify new ways to support their missions and foster collaboration for the benefit of Boise’s future.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about fostering economic development by supporting initiatives that attract visitors and stimulate local growth. I believe in investing in community infrastructure that enhances quality of life, making Boise more accessible to all, while also creating spaces that benefit both residents and visitors. I’m committed to collaborative governance, ensuring open communication with stakeholders to build partnerships that support shared goals and drive long-term progress for Boise.

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

Fighting the Odds: The Life of Senator Frank Church

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

The most important characteristics for an elected official are a servant's heart and a genuine willingness to serve the community. An elected official must prioritize the needs of the people they represent, always seeking to make decisions that benefit the greater good. Equally important is integrity, ensuring honesty, transparency, and accountability in all actions and decisions.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be remembered for leaving a lasting impact on Boise by adding valuable amenities that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Whether through community infrastructure projects, recreational spaces, or opportunities for economic growth, I want my legacy to be one of improving the city for future generations—making Boise a place that continues to thrive, grow, and offer an exceptional living experience.

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

The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens comes to mind. I was 10 and Idaho was covered in dust from the eruption.

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

My first job was in third grade in Nampa, Idaho, when I worked as a paperboy delivering the evening edition of the Idaho Free Press. The papers would arrive at my house after school, and I would deliver them to the neighborhood. I continued with this job until I was in fifth grade, when I transitioned to mowing lawns for relatives and neighbors.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability are essential to building trust with the community. During my entire tenure, we have maintained an open budgeting and audit process, ensuring clear, accessible information about how the District's funds are spent. As an elected official, I believe in continuing this practice, holding ourselves accountable to the people we serve. It's crucial to ensure taxpayer money is used efficiently and effectively, with annual audits, oversight, and public reporting to maintain trust and confidence in our leadership.

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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