Idaho governor candidate Paulette Jordan spoke to University of Idaho students and community members Monday night on issues affecting Idaho, including her stance on gun control.
“I am a gun owner — a mother too — and I want to see stricter regulations and I want to see responsible gun ownership in this state,” Jordan said.
Jordan said she wants to implement universal background checks and ensure guns are not in the hands of those with mental illnesses.
Along with this policy, she said she hopes to address mental healthcare for veterans and those suffering from the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Jordan spoke on gender identity and said she will support future legislation regarding these issues and stands for equality. However, she spent the majority of her time advocating for increased education funding and the need to invest in higher pay for Idaho teachers.
Paulette Jordan
Jordan touched on her interest in implementing Zero-to-Five, a program that provides meetings and assessments to parents of children up to 5 years old.
Jordan also touched on environmental issues, saying she wants to work on protecting soil, water, air and addressing critical climate issues.
Jordan said she believes she can win in Idaho, a state that voted heavily in favor of President Donald Trump in 2016, because the people of Idaho are frustrated and desperate for change.
She said if change doesn’t occur soon, it could hurt the voting process. She said people are becoming too apathetic to vote, and many may choose to not vote in future elections.
“We are going to win in Idaho because we have to for Idaho,” Jordan said.
When discussing why she was the best candidate for Idaho, she said her values and integrity would help her win. Despite ideological differences, Jordan said she shares basic values with a majority of Idahoans.
Jordan said if she wins, she will work with Republicans to accomplish her goals by listening to each side with mutual respect.
Jordan said she hopes that her speech will encourage people to go out and vote and be a part of the process and hopes it will inspire others to vote in future elections.
“The future is ours and we have to fight for it,” Jordan said.
The event was put on by Michael Overton, who is a part of UI’s department of politics and philosophy, along with the help of the Idaho City Manager Association.
“I hope this event sends a message to Idaho and statewide candidates that it is important to reach out and speak to the college-age youth of the state,” Overton said.
Cody Allred can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CodyLAllred