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House A
Ada County

House A

CANDIDATES' THE COMMON INTEREST IN ACTION SCORE
The Common Interest in Action Score reflects the percentage of Common Interest in Action positions that a candidate supports. The Common Interest in Action takes positions when there is a consensus of two-thirds or more on a given proposal among the more than 100 members randomly assigned to review our policy brief for that issue.The Past Score reflects issues on which we took positions that have already been voted on by both the House and the Senate. The Future Score reflects positions that we have taken that have not yet come before both the House and the Senate for votes. The Past Score for incumbents is based on their actual votes. The Future Score for incumbents, as well as the Past and Future Scores for challengers, are based on candidates' answers to our questionnaire.
Name Status Party The Common Interest in Action Score - Past The Common Interest in Action Score - Future
Average Incumbent Score:
 97% 76%
Average Challenger Score:
 96% 80%
Julie Ellsworth Challenger Republican
NO RESPONSE
NO RESPONSE
Branden J. Durst Incumbent Democrat
100%
NO RESPONSE
NO RESPONSE Means that the candidate did not respond to our questionnaire

Details for The Common Interest in Action Score - Past (Issues that have already been voted on by the full Legislature)

Issue TCI in Action Julie Ellsworth
Position		 Branden J. Durst Position
% of the 100 + randomly assigned members for or against  
For Against Our Position
Property Tax - Increased Homeowner's Exemption '06 H 421a
79%
21%
For
NO RESPONSE
  
Property Tax - Increased Circuit Breaker '06 H 422a
85%
15%
For
    
Property Tax - Closed the "Developer's Discount" '06 H 676a
97%
3%
For
    
Property Tax - Deferral for Circuit Breaker '06 H 680
70%
30%
For
    
Eminent Domain - Only Significantly Deteriorated Properties Can be Condemned for Urban Renewal '06 H 555
67%
33%
For
    
Eminent Domain - Further Specification of Scope of Taking Required '06 S1243a
96%
4%
For
    
Eminent Domain - "Quick Take" Procedure Available to All Property Owners and Govt Entities '06 S1247
76%
24%
For
    
Eminent Domain - Required the Govt to Pay at Least as Much as Pre-litigation Appraisal '06 S1429
89%
11%
For
    

Legislative Committees Can Only Close Meetings for Certain Extraordinary Circumstances '06 HR 003 SR108
68%
32%
For
    
Election Reform - Required that calls placed by an automatic dialing-announcing device (robocalls) must state at start of call the name of person and for whom call is being made '07 H0223
93%
7%
For
  
For
Overcrowded Prisons - $15 million for statewide substance abuse treatment services '08 H0695
87%
13%
For
  
For
Overcrowded Prisons - Required counties to provide trained and certified probation officers for misdemeanor probationers '08 H0408
88%
12%
For
  
For
The Common Interest in Action Score - Past         100%



Details for The Common Interest in Action Score - Future (Issues that have not yet been voted on by the full Legislature)

Issue TCI in Action Julie Ellsworth Position Branden J. Durst Position
% of the 100 + randomly assigned members for or against  
For Against Our Position
Election Reform - Fully Closed Primary in Which Independents Could Not Vote
7%
93%
Against
NO RESPONSE
NO RESPONSE
Election Reform - Party Option to have a State Run and Financed Closed Primary '07 H0185
9%
91%
Against
    
Election Reform - Common Interest Modified Open Primary (independents vote in primary of their choice) '08 S1506
79%
21%
For
    
Election Reform - Vote by Mail '07 H0094
86%
14%
For
    
Election Reform - Instant Runoff Voting
80%
20%
For
    
Election Reform - Public Campaign Financing '08 S1292
80%
20%
For
    
Overcrowded Prisons - Raising Beer & Wine Tax to Fund Substance Abuse Treatment '08
75%
25%
For
    
Overcrowded Prisons - Prevention, Treatment, Diversion, and In-Prison Programs that are Proven to be Cost Effective at Reducing Crime (CI percentages depend on particular program)
69%-95%
31%-5%
For
    
The Common Interest in Action Score - Future    
   

 

Julie Ellsworth
Race: House A
The Common Interest in Action Score
Candidate

Challenger Average
Past
NO RESPONSE
96%
Future
NO RESPONSE
80%
Party: Republican
Status: Challenger
Contact: Email: :Ellsworth4Rep18A@yahoo.com
Office phone:
Web site: www.julieellsworthforidaho.com
 
Comment by Keith Allred about Candidate:
   
Statement by Candidate about Why Running:
   
Candidate Statement about The Common Interest:
   
Candidate Bio:
  See Web site
Candidate Statement on Partisan Politics and Special Interests:
   

 

Branden J. Durst
Race: House A
The Common Interest in Action Score
Candidate

Incumbent Average
Past
100%
97%
Future
NO RESPONSE
76%
Party: Democrat
Status: Incumbent
Contact: Email: info@durstforidaho.com
Office phone:
Web site: www.durstforidaho.com
 
Comment by Keith Allred about Candidate:
  Representative Durst has been interested in our work.
Statement by Candidate about Why Running:
  Statement:
Thanks to the many residents of District 18 that have taken time away from their busy schedules to contact me, I have assembled the following list of legislative priorities. While this list is in no way comprehensive, it does represent the issues that I am committed to spending a majority of my time addressing.

TAX REFORM
Property tax relief for homeowners
Restore balance to the tax system by cutting spending and eliminating exemptions

HEALTHCARE
Increase access and affordability to preventative healthcare
Small business initiative that seeks to make health insurance a reality

EDUCATION
Preschool/Kindergarten readiness through public/private partnerships
Post-secondary/Workforce training that puts students in a position to succeed

MANAGED GROWTH
Streamline impact fees to make it easier for local governments to manage growth
Self-sufficiency and transparency for real estate developers and new developments

TRANSPORTATION
Local option funding for road improvements and mass transit
Revitalized infrastructure that helps create economic development

I am running for re-election because these issues need continued leadership and I believe I am well suited to provide that leadership. I am also running because I believe that the Idaho Legislature needs membership that is willing to speak out on issues without being unduly influenced by special interests. In this same way, I am running because I believe the Legislature benefits when it compromised of diverse group of citizens that offer a unique insights and perspectives.
Candidate Statement about The Common Interest:
 

I believe that the Common Interest fulfills and important role in the policy process.  I am always willing to listen to Common Interest and its membership on issues and hope to be able work in partnership in advancing policies that are beneficial to the people of Idaho.
Candidate Bio:
 

State Representative Branden J. Durst is a first term Idaho legislator representing District 18 (South and Southeast Boise). Rep. Durst was originally elected in November of 2006.

As an elected official, Rep. Durst was appointed to three standing committees in the House of Representatives: Education, Agricultural Affairs, and Business. In these committees Rep. Durst has been outspoken in defending and advocating for the interests of District 18. Additionally, Rep. Durst's expertise in the area of information technology was utilized by his appointments to the State of Idaho's Information Technology Resource Management Council (ITRMC) and the State Legislature's Ad Hoc Technology Committee.

Rep. Durst made history by becoming the first legislator to publish a blog live from the floor of the State Legislature. The decision to do so was indicative of Rep. Durst's commitment to opening the lines of communication between himself and the residents of District 18. In addition to his blog, Rep. Durst also co-hosted several forums in both the 2007 and 2008 legislative sessions with fellow District 18 Legislators Senator Kate Kelly and Representative Phylis King. The forums offered residents an opportunity to discuss issues and engage their legislators.

As the only member of the House Education Committee from Ada County, Rep. Durst made service to District 18's public schools a top priority. Rep. Durst participated in several panel discussions with students and parents. In addition, Rep. Durst initiated contact with every PTO/PTA with an attendance area in District 18.

Rep. Durst is native of Boise and is married to his wonderful wife, Jaime, a teacher in a local school district. Branden has been blessed with three young boys, kindergartner Nicholas, preschooler Broden, and baby Carter. He is currently employed by a nationally renowned market research firm as a Research Operations Analyst.  Rep. Durst holds a BA in Political Science from Pacific Lutheran University and a Masters in Public Administration degree from Boise State University.
 
Candidate Statement on Partisan Politics and Special Interests:
 

As my voting record indicates and as I have mentioned in a multitude of forums, I believe special interests and relentless and ideological partisanship are seriously problematic. That is to say, whenever a group or interest is given authority over the legislative process the process is corrupt. This is the definition of Capture Theory is alive and well in the Idaho Legislature. It is unfortunate and something that I will continue to fight against.

 
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