Joe Stegner knows a lot about grain, seeds and state politics, attributes he feels qualify him best for the open position of special assistant to the president for government relations at the University of Idaho.
Stegner, an Idaho state senator from Nez Perce County, who is one of three finalists for the position, spoke at an open forum to staff and students Tuesday in the Student Union Building Borah Theater. Now in his seventh two-year term in the senate, Stegner said he believes his knowledge of the state system would help him in working at UI.
Stegner graduated from UI with a Bachelor’s in General Studies while minoring in political science. After graduation, he began working with his family’s grain company from 1973 until 1995 when the company was sold. That is when he said he wanted to get into the public service field and work in the state senate.
Stegner said one of the most common questions he has been asked as of late is why he would give up his senate seat for this position, an answer he said revolves around his love for UI.
“I have a long association with the senate and I will always have a love for it,” Stegner said. “I also have a strong fondness for the University of Idaho, which in my mind is the best institution in the state, and I don’t just mean educational institution, but overall.”
Stegner said during his 13 years as a senator, eight of them were spent as the Senate Majority Assistant, a role that was largely in the background of daily workings. Stegner said he sees a lot of similarities between his role as the majority assistant and the position at UI.
“In some ways I think the behind the scenes role is what is needed in the government relations position here,” Stegner said. “We need someone who knows the issues and the background of the people that are involved in decision making, but generally doesn’t take an up front role. I can step up if that is what is asked of me, but I think the advisory role is what will fit the university best.”
ASUI President Samantha Perez said what she liked most about Stegner was his past with both UI and the Idaho senate.
“One of his strengths is that he is already in the senate, and he understands the mind and how these senators work,” Perez said. “He has that insight, and it would be a huge advantage to have a former senator in there lobbying. He knows the people to talk to and get in their ears.”
After Stegner introduced himself, the floor opened for a question and answer session during which Perez asked about the impact of student legislators in Boise. Stegner said his past work has shown that students are sometimes not qualified enough to lobby at the capitol.
“I’ve always welcomed and engaged the students, but they are somewhat out of their element. “They come off somewhat cold and are going up against people who know what to do and who to talk to,” Stegner said. “So their influence is at times less than effective. I think it’s a mistake for students to send down a student and think they will reverse or change decisions on critical issues related to the University of Idaho.”
Perez said she understood Stegner’s point of view, but did not agree with it for the most part.
“I think that it is important for us to have a lobbyist down there, and I think that because our university is so student centered that it is important to give everyone a voice down there,” Perez said.
Stegner, who grew up in Grangeville, said he has been tightly connected to UI since he was in high school, and that he would love to be given the opportunity to come back.
Perez echoed Stegner’s thoughts, and said his UI ties may be important in the decision making process.
“It’s especially important that he is an alumni and that he has that passion for the school and the position,” Perez said. “He would be a great fit here at UI.”
The third finalist, Travis Jones, will speak at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Borah Theater.