Idaho GOP Platform Responses

✓+  Strongly Agree ✓  Somewhat Agree O  Somewhat Disagree X  Strongly Disagree

Survey and Interview Responses

How long have you lived in Idaho?

I’ve lived in Idaho for nine years after moving here from Mississippi.

How long have you been a Republican? Any prior party affiliation?

More than 40 years. I was a registered Libertarian for four years.

Have you been involved with any political organizations (IACI, Idaho Majority Club, IFF< etc.)

No.

Have you supported candidates from another party?

Libertarians.

Why are you running for this office?

To give countries back their authority.

Have you held elected office before?

Yes. I am a Teton County Commissioner.

What makes you qualified for this role?

I’m a small business owner and current county commissioner.

What are your top priorities in your first year?

County rights, changing the economic model, and hospitals.

How have you served your community (boards, nonprofits, etc.)?

Teton County Commissioner.

Fiscal conservative

Absolutely.

Social conservative

Yes. Boys are boys, girls are girls.

Share your one minute elevator speech.

I’m Ron James, a first-term Teton County Commissioner and small business owner. I’m also a real estate agent, a father of five, and a grandfather of seven. This is my first time stepping into the political arena. It’s been a real baptism by fire learning how government works compared to running a business. The political world operates on a completely different set of rules, but I’m committed to serving the people of Idaho with common sense and accountability.

What is your plan to advocate for your top priorities?

My top priorities are returning real decision-making power back to counties from the legislature in Boise, fixing our outdated county budgeting system, and protecting rural hospitals. The state has stripped counties of authority and clawed back critical road and bridge funding — costing Teton County $778,000 this year alone. Our archaic 3% budget cap, combined with inflation and massive growth, is unsustainable. Rural hospitals are also struggling badly after Medicaid cuts; ours had only 17 days of cash on hand and had to lay off staff, forcing cancer patients to drive to Idaho Falls for treatment.

Regarding the budget, what criteria will you use to decide which programs to cut or protect?

When we make budget cuts, I will use a very practical approach from my experience as a county commissioner. We go line by line and cut the fluff first. Mandated services — roads, schools, hospitals, and first responders — cannot be touched because state law requires them. Everything else gets evaluated: is it truly necessary or is it a luxury we can no longer afford? For example, I took heat for not funding 501(c)(3) nonprofits this year. They should raise their own money instead of depending on taxpayers. We fund what is essential and trim what is not.

What performance metrics should agencies be held to?

I measure success the same way we do in business — by looking at return on investment. Is the program actually producing results for the taxpayers, or are we just pouring money into a black hole with nothing to show for it? If it’s not delivering, we cut it and redirect the funds. Sometimes a program can be a “loss leader” — like a swimming pool at the YMCA that doesn’t make money on its own but drives memberships that keep the whole organization afloat. The key is results: does it work, or is it just spending money?

What role should state leaders play in preventing fraud, and how would you ensure accountability?

Government must have strong oversight and regular audits on every department. If a program isn’t working or there’s fraud, we cut it and prosecute those responsible. We’ve seen massive fraud in places like Minnesota, California, Oregon, and Washington — that money belongs to the taxpayers. Hold people accountable, put them in jail if necessary, and recover the funds. Sheriffs and prosecutors have a duty to enforce the law. If elected officials refuse to do their job, voters need to replace them. Strong convictions and real oversight are essential.

How will you address illegal immigration in Idaho?

Illegal immigrants are breaking the law and should be prosecuted and removed as quickly as possible. They do not have the right to taxpayer-funded attorneys. If they are committing crimes, especially violent ones or trafficking, they should be treated as terrorists. At the same time, we need to streamline legal immigration with proper vetting. In Teton County, where 25% of residents and 40% of schoolchildren are Latino, there is a real need for labor in certain sectors. The deeper issue is teaching our own young people a strong work ethic through trade schools instead of useless degrees and massive debt.

How will you defend parental rights in education?

Parents should have full rights and know exactly what their children are being taught — not indoctrinated. We need to get back to the basics: arithmetic, science, reading, and writing. Right now, too many schools and colleges have become indoctrination camps pushing social agendas instead of education. We’ve seen transvestites reading to kindergartners and the FBI treating concerned parents like terrorists under the Biden administration. The teachers’ unions act as a political arm of the Democratic Party. Parents must be able to push back without fear, and we must restore moral compass and real education.

How will you protect Idaho’s interests when dealing with federal agencies and mandates?

Idaho is a sovereign state. The federal government has grown far too powerful and uses funding as leverage — if you don’t comply, they cut off the money. We’ve become too dependent on federal grants. Instead, Idaho should rely more on our own abundant natural resources: timber, minerals, silver, and more. We need to stop holding our hand out for grants and start using what God has blessed us with to fund our state. As governor, I would reduce dependency on Washington and push back against overreaching federal mandates while protecting Idaho’s interests.

What is your stance on legalizing marijuana?

This is a very controversial and tricky issue. I believe medical marijuana has legitimate uses and hemp can be productive for many things. However, recreational use is much more complicated. I’ve seen the problems in states like Oregon, Montana, and Nevada. I have a son who is a recovering heroin addict who started with marijuana, though not everyone who uses it goes down that path. As governor, if the majority of Idaho citizens vote to legalize it through the ballot process, I would respect their decision and sign it. If they vote it down, it stays illegal. DUI laws must still be strictly enforced.

How will you stay accessible and responsive to constituents?

As a county commissioner, I’m on the front lines every day answering phone calls from developers, farmers, ranchers, and everyday citizens about roads, thistles, cows, and major lawsuits. I answer the phone and return calls — even early in the morning. People feel government has become disconnected. While I respect Governor Little, after twelve years it’s time for fresh leadership. I will stay accessible, answer calls and emails, reduce the flood of unnecessary legislation, and focus on what constituents actually care about. When you’re elected, party lines stop — you serve everyone who lives in Idaho.

What question do you wish voters were asking—but aren’t?

wish more voters would ask themselves three simple questions: Did you vote? Are you truly informed on the issues? And have you actually done the work to understand where candidates stand — not from 30-second sound bites, social media, or cable news, but by looking into their positions and even talking with them directly? Too many people complain without ever voting or educating themselves. Your voice is at the ballot box. In our last midterm, only 23% of Teton County voted. If you don’t vote, you don’t have much right to complain.