Balukoff jumps into governor’s race

Saying Idaho colleges rank near the bottom “in practically every single measure of student achievement,” Boise School Board president A.J. Balukoff formally jumped into the governor’s race Tuesday.

Boise School Board President A.J. Balukoff created his campaign announcement Tuesday at Boise’s Hillcrest Elementary College.

Balukoff, a Democrat, blamed the plight of Idaho colleges on continual underfunding, and twenty many years of Republican one particular-get together rule in the Statehouse. Idaho’s per-pupil spending ranks No. 5o in the nation, surpassing only Utah, and the state’s college enrollment fee ranks among the lowest in the nation.

Introduced by Boise Mayor Dave Bieter — and flanked by supporters, including kids waving indicators studying “Grandpa for Governor” — the 67-12 months-previous Balukoff produced his candidacy official Tuesday morning with an announcement at Boise’s Hillcrest Elementary College. Amongst those attending Tuesday were several Democratic state legislators, former state schools superintendent Marilyn Howard, and Cecil Andrus, the final Democrat to serve as Idaho governor.

Balukoff’s announcement was not a massive surprise. For many months, Balukoff publicly contemplated a challenge to incumbent Gov. Butch Otter. On Monday afternoon, at least a single Democratic activist leaked the text of Balukoff’s campaign announcement, posting it briefly on Facebook.

For Balukoff, a 16-year Boise College Board veteran, education is a central campaign plank.

The board has publicly clashed with Otter on schooling troubles in the past. Last yr, Boise trustees  publicly urged voters to reject the College students Come Initial laws advanced by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna and supported by Otter. Idahoans voted down the 3 laws in November 2012.

But like Otter, Balukoff says he supports all 20 recommendations from the governor’s education reform task force. The record includes a instructor career salary ladder, restoring $ 82.five million in college district “operational funds” that had been slashed during the economic downturn, and a universal commitment to pupil technology.

Balukoff explained the task force’s perform came also late — and says the 31-member group need to have addressed pre-kindergarten and higher schooling — but he says the suggestions represent “a step in the right route.” Balukoff advised reporters that he is running, in part, to contact consideration to the needs of training, and “to make sure those suggestions do go someplace.”

Balukoff also decried Idaho’s “pay-to-play” political culture, saying it advantages influential business interests at the cost of everyday Idahoans. Asked to elaborate, Balukoff cited two education troubles: the College students Come First contract that would have allowed Hewlett-Packard to lease laptops to every higher college in the state and Education Networks of America’s controversial multiyear contract to set up WiFi in most Idaho substantial colleges and junior substantial schools. Boise is between 93 districts in the state which is participating in the WiFi rollout.

Asked why he is operating for governor, and not for state superintendent, Balukoff stated the state’s colleges chief ought to have expertise in the classroom, and ideally knowledge as a district superintendent. “The state superintendent need to be a skilled educator. … I do not have that background.”

Even though Balukoff’s political encounter is constrained to the Boise College Board, he touts his company background as a important campaign attribute. A licensed public accountant, Balukoff also opened a chain of health clubs and was involved in the growth of Downtown Boise’s Grove Hotel and CenturyLink Arena.

Who else is in the operating?

Balukoff’s announcement further shapes what figures to be a crowded gubernatorial race.

Otter has not formally announced his bid for a third phrase, but that would seem all but a foregone conclusion. Otter has named business lobbyist Jayson Ronk as his campaign manager — and on Friday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will seem on Otter’s behalf at a Coeur d’Alene fundraiser.

Sen. Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian, will oppose Otter in the May GOP main. In a statewide series of campaign announcements last month, Fulcher blasted Otter for supporting the creation of a state overall health insurance coverage exchange.

Three other Republicans have filed paperwork naming campaign treasurers — a precursor to raising income and operating for office: Walter Bayes of Emmett, Harley Brown of Nampa, and Steven Pankey of Shoshone. All three have run unsuccessful and lengthy-shot campaigns for state or congressional offices in the previous.

Former Canyon County Prosecutor John Bujak has also filed preliminary campaign paperwork he has stated he is hunting at working as an independent. Professional-Life, a perennial lengthy-shot candidate, has filed campaign finance paperwork indicating that he will run as an independent.

Balukoff jumps into governor’s race