Tim Flaherty
I am a trained Medicolegal Death Investigator, ready to serve as Ada County Coroner on day one. I’m running because I believe the office can do better—delivering timely, accurate answers with professionalism and compassion. As an executive, philanthropist, and public servant, I bring strong leadership and accountability. My work with Astegos.org and the Boise City Ada County Housing Authority reflects my commitment to this community. Having personally experienced the loss of peers to suicide and overdose, I will treat these crises with urgency—partnering with local agencies to improve data, awareness, and prevention while serving families with dignity.
Idaho GOP Platform Responses
✓+ Strongly Agree ✓ Somewhat Agree O Somewhat Disagree X Strongly Disagree
| Topic | Candidate’s Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| ✓+ | Responsibility in Government | Government must be limited, accountable, and fiscally responsible. Taxpayer dollars should be used efficiently, with transparency and a focus on core functions that serve the public. |
| ✓+ | Citizen Involvement | An engaged and informed citizenry is essential. Public trust is built through transparency, accountability, and active participation in the political process. |
| ✓+ | Education | Parents should have primary authority over their children’s education. Schools must focus on academic excellence, transparency, and preparing students for real-world success. |
| ✓+ | Agriculture | Agriculture is foundational to Idaho’s economy and way of life. Policies should protect and strengthen farmers, ranchers, and food security. |
| ✓+ | Water | Water is a critical resource that must remain under Idaho control. Responsible management is essential for agriculture, growth, and future generations. |
| ✓+ | Natural Resources / Environment | We must balance responsible conservation with economic growth, emphasizing local control and minimizing unnecessary regulation. |
| ✓+ | Energy | Energy independence and affordability are essential. Idaho should support diverse and reliable energy development. |
| ✓+ | Idaho National Lab | INL is vital to national security, innovation, and Idaho’s economy, and should continue to be supported. |
| ✓+ | Private Property Rights | Private property rights are fundamental and must be protected from unnecessary government interference. |
| ✓+ | State / Federal Lands | Idaho should have greater control over land management decisions that directly impact its citizens and economy. |
| ✓+ | Wildlife | Wildlife should be managed responsibly by the state, balancing conservation with access for Idahoans. |
| ✓+ | Economy | A strong economy depends on free markets, reduced regulation, and policies that support business growth and job creation. |
| ✓+ | Health and Welfare | Healthcare decisions should remain with individuals and families, with minimal government interference and a focus on personal responsibility. |
| ✓+ | American Family | Strong families are the foundation of society. Policies should reinforce parental responsibility and protect the value of life. |
| ✓+ | Older Americans | Seniors deserve dignity, support, and policies that allow them to remain independent and secure. |
| ✓+ | Law & Order w/ Justice | Public safety is essential. We must support law enforcement, uphold the rule of law, and address serious issues like drug abuse and crime with both accountability and effective intervention. |
| ✓+ | Securing the Border | A strong military and secure borders are essential to protecting our nation and preserving our sovereignty. |
| ✓+ | Election of Idaho Judges | Judicial accountability and adherence to the Constitution are critical to maintaining public trust in the legal system. |
| ✓+ | Religious Liberty | Religious freedom is a fundamental right and must be protected in all aspects of public and private life. |
Survey and Interview Responses
How long have you lived in Ada County?
26 years, I grew up in Idaho.
How long have you been a Republican? Any prior party affiliation?
My whole life. I’ve always been a Republican. I registered to vote in 1999 and always have supported conservative candidates.
Have you been involved with any political organizations? (IACI, Idaho Majority Club, IFF, etc.)
I have been a Precinct Committeeman for the Ada County Party, I have been a Delegate to the State Party Conventions, I have been an Alt. Delegate for President Trump the RNC. During three decades serving Republicans, I have been to fundraisers and events for pretty much every single group that supports Republicans or Conservatives.
Have you supported candidates from another party?
No.
Why are you running for this office?
I’m running for Ada County Coroner because our office can and should do more for families and our community. As a trained Medicolegal Death Investigator, I’m ready to lead with professionalism, urgency, and compassion from day one. I’m especially driven by the crises of fentanyl overdoses and teen suicide. Having lost friends to both, I will use this role to identify trends, improve reporting, and partner with the community to prevent future tragedies.
Have you held elected office before?
I currently serve as a commissioner on the Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority, where I was appointed and unanimously confirmed by The Ada County Commission and the Boise City Council in 2022. In that role, I help oversee governance, policy decisions, and responsible management of public resources, ensuring accountability and transparency. I specifically work to bring conservative solutions to public sector problems.
What makes you qualified for this role?
I bring relevant training, executive leadership, and public service to the Ada County Coroner role. As a trained Medicolegal Death Investigator, I have direct knowledge of the office’s responsibilities. As founder and CEO of a thriving statewide nonprofit, I’ve built and managed operations, budgets, and key partnerships. I’m not a career bureaucrat—I offer a results-driven mindset, efficiency, and a deep commitment to serving families with professionalism and compassion
If elected, what 2-3 actions do you intend to pursue in your first year?
First, I will conduct a full operational review of the coroner’s office to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and timely communication with families. Second, I will prioritize addressing the fentanyl overdose and teen suicide crisis by improving data tracking, reporting, and coordination with law enforcement, Central District Health, and local schools. Third, I will focus on transparency and accountability to ensure the public has confidence in how the office operates and serves the community. You can learn more about my plan at timflaherty.org
How have you served your community (boards, nonprofits, etc.)?
I am the Founder and CEO of Astegos.org, a nonprofit that has grown into a major resource for schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations across Idaho. Through our programs, we help tens of thousands of children and families each year. I also serve as a commissioner on the Boise City Ada County Housing Authority, where I help oversee housing policy and ensure responsible stewardship of public resources. My work in both roles has been focused on improving lives, strengthening the community, and delivering real results.
Do you consider yourself fiscally conservative?
Yes. I believe government must be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. Resources should be used efficiently, transparently, and with clear accountability. My experience managing nonprofit operations and overseeing public resources reflects a strong commitment to fiscal discipline and responsible decision making.
Do you consider yourself socially conservative?
Yes. I believe strong families, personal responsibility, and community values are essential to a healthy society. I also believe we have a responsibility to address serious issues like teen suicide and drug addiction with both accountability and compassion, ensuring we protect and support our communities.
Give us your one-minute elevator speech for the campaign.
I’m running for Ada County Coroner as a philanthropist and public servant with 30 years in politics, having helped elect over 100 candidates. Four years ago, I assisted the current coroner and grew passionate about the race. Now that the incumbent is not running, I’m stepping up. Law enforcement has shared concerns about serious backlogs in the coroner’s office. Reports that should take 90 days nationally are sometimes delayed up to a year due to short staffing. My goal is to turn the office around and get investigations completed on time so detectives can do their jobs.
What is your plan to advocate for your top priorities?
My top priority as coroner is staffing. We must invest serious time and energy into recruiting, including attending job fairs and building relationships with local universities that graduate criminal justice majors. Second, I will focus on Idaho’s teen suicide crisis—our rate is twice the national average. I’ll work with schools, health departments, and districts to investigate causes and common factors, including video games, doctors, and medications. Third, I’ll address the fentanyl overdose epidemic, which has increased 978% since 2012. We need education, partnerships with law enforcement, and parole reform to reduce these deaths. It takes a big-picture leader to fix these problems.
How will you maintain independence from law enforcement, political pressure, or outside influence when determining cause and manner of death?
Maintaining independence from law enforcement, political pressure, or outside influence The coroner’s office must stand alone and tell the truth based strictly on facts. We saw during COVID how political pressure led to deaths from stage 4 cancer being listed as COVID deaths. Decisions cannot be influenced by money or political parties. We must follow science, autopsy results, investigations, and facts. The office has to remain self-accountable. I will ensure our determinations are based solely on evidence, never outside pressure.
What is your approach to communicating findings to the public and to families while balancing transparency with sensitivity and privacy?
We need to notify families as quickly as possible to honor religious beliefs, provide peace of mind, and support timely press releases. It should be standard for two people to notify next of kin. We must obtain positive identification directly from family members, even if identification is found at the scene. This approach balances transparency with sensitivity and respect for privacy.
How do you view the role of the coroner in protecting individual rights and ensuring government accountability in death investigations?
The coroner is a political position, so we need someone sensitive to personal liberties. If someone passes in their home, we should focus only on the body and relevant evidence at the immediate scene. We should not overreach by searching unrelated rooms or the entire house unless necessary. Our office must protect individual rights and privacy while still directing full attention to the case at hand and helping catch the bad guy with proper balance.
Can you describe how you would approach a high-profile or controversial death investigation to ensure accuracy, credibility, and public confidence?
We must train staff to treat every death the same. In high-profile cases, like the recent passing of the Nampa Mayor, I would personally show up to ensure no bureaucratic delays or resource shortages hinder the investigation. I would make sure we have all necessary equipment for collecting samples and facilitate whatever resources the investigators need to complete the work thoroughly and accurately. This approach maintains credibility and public confidence.
How will you responsibly manage the coroner’s office budget while ensuring timely and thorough investigations, including autopsies and toxicology?
I will manage strictly within the appropriated budget and be as fiscally conservative as possible. I’ll conduct an efficiency audit, look for cost savings, and adopt new technologies to work faster. I’ll work with commissioners to purchase needed equipment as the county grows. If money is left over, I would return it to taxpayers. I also have creative ideas, such as a program allowing deputies to work at the coroner’s office to build skills while helping reduce our workload. We must balance government growth with our population needs.