Daniel Fowler
I am a working-class Idahoan who moved from Texas to Nampa in 2020. I am a husband and father with no political background, and I am running to put Idaho families first through practical solutions, accountability, and an Idaho First approach.
Idaho GOP Platform Responses
✓+ Strongly Agree ✓ Somewhat Agree O Somewhat Disagree X Strongly Disagree
| Topic | Candidate’s Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| ✓+ | Responsibility in Government | Article I demands limited, accountable government that serves the people instead of itself, cuts waste, and puts citizens first — exactly what Idaho needs and what my plan is built around. |
| ✓+ | Citizen Involvement | Article II emphasizes giving power back to the people through direct participation and accountability, which is exactly why I’m pushing for Idaho Voice — a platform where citizens can vote on issues so bureaucrats can’t ignore us anymore. |
| ✓+ | Education | Article III emphasizes values I embrace – school choice, parental rights, and a focus on fundamentals like reading, math, science, and American history without indoctrination or divisive ideologies. |
| ✓+ | Agriculture | I agree with Article IV because it supports American farmers through free markets, reduced regulations, and food security — aligning with Idaho’s agriculture-based powerhouse economy and helping our rural families thrive without government overreach. |
| ✓+ | Water | It is vital that we defend Idaho’s sovereignty to manage our own water resources without federal overreach, protecting our farmers and avoiding transfer of water to other entities or states. |
| ✓+ | Natural Resources / Environment | We must defend Idaho’s sovereignty over our water, lands, and resources, and protect our agricultural economy, water rights, and natural heritage for future generations. |
| ✓+ | Energy | I will champion reliable, affordable energy through free markets, supporting Idaho’s natural energy resources, and ensuring energy independence, avoiding green mandates that hurt Idahoans. |
| ✓+ | Idaho National Lab | INL is a vital asset – I support expanding research in clean energy and advanced manufacturing, while protecting our state’s interests from federal overreach. |
| ✓+ | Private Property Rights | I plan to defend the fundamental right to own and use property without excessive government interference, limiting large corporate purchases of single family homes and keeping property in the hands of citizens, not distant investors. |
| ✓+ | State / Federal Lands | Idaho knows best how to care for our land – not Washington bureaucrats. I support local management that protects our farmers, rnadhers, and rural communities. |
| ✓+ | Wildlife | I support wildlife management through science-based practices, local control, and opposition to federal overreach. Idaho First means keeping wildlife decisions in Idaho’s hands. |
| ✓+ | Economy | I agree with championing free markets, limiting government, cutting taxes and reducing regulations to unleash growth and reward hard work. |
| ✓+ | Health and Welfare | I want to empower Idaho families, supporting mental health through parent-led initiatives, ensuring governments stays out of personal health decisions. |
| ✓+ | American Family | The family is the foundation of society. Parents are the primary educators and protectors of their children. Idaho families deserve leadership that defends and strengthens them. |
| ✓+ | Older Americans | I am committed to ensuring Idaho families, including older generations, can live safely, affordably, and independently. |
| ✓+ | Law & Order w/ Justice | I fully support law enforcement and justice that protects victims while upholding due process. I support tough sentencing for repeat violent offenders and accountability that keeps communities safe. Idaho families deserve real protection and justice. |
| ✓+ | Securing the Border | I support full cooperation with ICE, no sanctuary policies and strict vetting to protect our communities while supporting legal pathways for those who earn it. |
| ✓+ | Election of Idaho Judges | Judges should not be insulated for voter oversight. Idahoans deserve a judiciary chosen by the people they serve. |
| ✓+ | Religious Liberty | Religious liberty must be defended for all, ensuring families can raise their children in their beliefs, keeping government out of personal faith. |
Survey and Interview Responses
How long have you lived in Idaho?
I moved here in 2020 from Texas, where I was born and raised.
How long have you been a Republican? Any prior party affiliation?
I registered as a Republican in 2024. Before that I was a Democrat for 23 years, but didn’t pay close attention to politics. Once I seriously looked at the Democrat party, I realized they had been lying to America and I could no longer align with them. The Republican party isn’t perfect, but it stands on higher ground.
Have you been involved with any political organizations (IACI, Idaho Majority Club, IFF< etc.)
No. I have no ties to Idaho political groups and say I’m running as an independent voice to restore common sense leadership – not as part of any club or faction.
Have you supported candidates from another party?
I was registered as a Democrat for many years, but I never publicly supported, endorsed, donated to, or campaigned for another party’s candidate.
Why are you running for this office?
I’m motivated to address rising costs, government overreach, and decisions made far from Idahoans. I want practical change, strong schools, affordable homes, fair wages, safe communities, and government that serves citizens, not special interests. I’m committed to putting the needs of Idaho’s families first.
Have you held elected office before?
No. I have never held public office. I’m stepping up as a regular Idaho citizen.
What makes you qualified for this role?
I have no political background or special interests and believe that helps me understand the real-life challenges Idaho families face every day.
What are your top priorities in your first year?
Strong public schools focused on fundamentals and parental rights, affordable housing for Idaho families, and fair wages with greater self-reliance for working people.
How have you served your community (boards, nonprofits, etc.)?
I have no formal board or nonprofit service. My life has centered on work, family, and the same day-to-day challenges most Idahoans face.
Fiscal conservative
Yes. I oppose raising taxes and would fund priorities by cutting waste and reallocating existing dollars to deliver real results, avoiding growing government.
Social conservative
Yes. I support parental rights, no gender affirmation for minors in public education, and policies that put families first, including traditional values such as faith, family, personal responsibility, and limiting government interference in our lives.
Share your one minute elevator speech.
I moved to Idaho from Texas in 2020 with my wife and family—we love it here and made it our home. I like Brad Little as a person, but I feel he’s moving too slow and favoring corporations and big budgets over the little people. I’m an everyday working guy who works 9-to-5, paycheck to paycheck. I want to look out for people just like me. My focus is getting our farms, agriculture, and manual laborers on track so we build what Idaho deserves. Education is huge too—we need to fix public schools because the voucher program is just a band-aid, especially for rural families
What is your plan to advocate for your top priorities?
My top four priorities start with workforce: I’ll cut fat from government and redirect savings to incentives for permanent laborers in agriculture and construction. For education, I’ll move those saved funds to fix public schools and curriculum so rural families don’t have to rely on vouchers. I’ll work the legislative process to make these cuts and shifts happen. I’m new to this, but I’ve been preparing hard while still working my 9-to-5.
Regarding the budget, what criteria will you use to decide which programs to cut or protect?
I will protect education first and cut what we don’t actually need, following the Doge list that Brad Little seems to be ignoring. I plan to merge duplicates (e.g. three deaf/hearing programs) into one so we stop wasting money on the same thing. I’ll stop the $3 million in lobbyist travel vouchers—they can pay their own way. These practical cuts free funds for workforce training and schools without hurting essential services.
What performance metrics should agencies be held to?
I will hold every agency to a high level—120% efficiency if possible—because I hold myself to that. If it’s working and doing its function without wasting time, we keep and improve it. If not, we adjust or move on. Everything must run at peak performance.
What role should state leaders play in preventing fraud, and how would you ensure accountability?
If fraud is discovered, we investigate thoroughly to confirm it, then bring people to justice quickly. Government must actively look into spending and never leave programs unchecked. We shouldn’t give money without oversight. I’m not seeing much fraud in Idaho, but New York-style waste won’t happen here—I won’t let it.
How will you address illegal immigration in Idaho?
My father is a legal Mexican citizen who served in the U.S. Air Force and came here the right way in the 1970s, so I’m second-generation Mexican-American. Illegal immigration makes it harder for those doing it legally. If you’ve been here 20 years, you should have become a citizen. We need to get them out—not self-hating, just right way versus wrong way. Whether 25 years or 2 days, if you came illegally, we can’t choose you to be here.
How will you defend parental rights in education?
Parents have full rights to know the curriculum, what’s being taught, and a real say in whether their kids participate. I’ll hold schools accountable: encourage school boards to schedule meetings when parents can attend, listen, involve PTAs more, and set up websites so parents can voice opinions and even vote on issues. Parents and schools working hand-in-hand makes everything better.
How will you protect Idaho’s interests when dealing with federal agencies and mandates?
We have to work with the federal government—there’s no way around it. But I’ll make sure everything they do benefits Idaho citizens. Blocking agencies isn’t easy; we go through our state legislation. I won’t fight big government, but I also won’t let Idaho get pushed over. We negotiate and ensure it serves us.
What is your stance on legalizing marijuana?
I’m opposed to full legalization of marijuana. More research need to be done reagarding use for medical purposes.
How will you stay accessible and responsive to constituents?
During the primaries I’m polishing my website with a subscribe option for updates, and communicating regularly on Facebook and X so you know what’s happening. I want your feedback—if I sound dumb or off-track, call me out. I’m open to criticism and want to hear from everyday people like me.